[Full Guide] How to Fix Boot BCD 0xC000000F in Windows 10

The boot issue like boot BCD 0xC000000F in Windows 10 can be fixed easily. Follow the guide to learn how to repair corrupted or missing BCD files in this post.

Irene

By Irene / Updated on October 30, 2024

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User case: computer won't boot and shows boot BCD 0xC000000F in Windows 10

 

I'm working on a family laptop that had been slow and just didn't seem to be working the way it did when new.  We had upgraded to Windows 11 at some point through the auto update option.  I wanted to do a clean install, so downloaded the Microsoft Media Creation Tool and set to get the computer to boot from the USB I had the tool installed on.  I was in step 2 of the process when I got the blue screen with File \Windows\system32\winload.efi and Error Code 0xc000000f in my Windows 10 computer. What should I do now?

- Question from Microsoft Community

The 0xC000000F error code often arises after installing new programs, drivers, or upgrading Windows, resulting in frustrating blue or black screen issues that can be difficult to resolve. Common messages associated with this error include "Windows failed to start with error code 0xc000000f" and "Your PC needs to be repaired 0xc000000F."

0xc000000f

This error can prevent your computer from booting and accessing data. It is typically linked to the Windows boot manager’s inability to read the boot configuration data, which may be caused by three main factors: a missing or damaged Boot Configuration Data (BCD) due to viruses, power outages, or manual errors; corrupted system files from unexpected shutdowns during updates; or a faulty data cable that affects the operating system’s loading process. Thankfully, there are some troubleshooting methods available to help you resolve the 0xC000000F error.

How to fix boot BCD 0xC000000F in Windows 10

There are many possible reasons that may cause Windows failed to start with 0xc00000F error code message. In this part, we would like to share common methods for fixing this issues based on different situations.

Fix 1. Repair corrupted or missing BCD files

One of the main reasons for the BCD 0xC000000F error in Windows 10 is related to the Boot Configuration Data (BCD). The BCD is a file in Windows that holds key information needed to start up and set up the boot process of your computer. If the BCD files become corrupted or go missing in Windows 10, your system may fail to boot, leading to error messages like 0xC000000F.

AOMEI Partition Assistant is a powerful disk manager that includes a simple "Boot Repair" feature. It can easily fix BCD-related issues with just a few clicks, helping you resolve boot problems and get your system working normally again. It's great for both beginners and experienced users. It is effective at fixing issues such as system failure to boot, boot failure after an update, multi-system boot conflicts, boot sector corruption, or error code 0xC000000F in Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, and 7.

AOMEI Partition Assistant

The Best Windows Disk Partition Manager and PC Optimizer

Step 1. Install and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant on a working PC, and connect a USB drive to it.

Step 2. Click Recover > Boot Repair on the main interface.

Boot Repair

Step 3. Select the create a bootable disk option to create a WinPE bootable media.

Create Bootable Disk

Step 4. Connect the drive to the computer that cannot function normally. And then enter BIOS settings to change the boot order to make boot computer from it. Once you log in successfully, it will automatically load the Boot Repair tool and start the boot entries scan process.

Boot Entries in WinPE

Step 5. Once the process completes, you can see all boot entries on the interface. Select the repairable boot entries you want to repair and click the Repair button.

Repair in WinPE

Step 6. After successful repair, remove the bootable USB drive and boot the PC from the original system drive.

Repair Successfully in WinPE

Besides the "Boot Repair" function, you can also try the "Rebuild MBR", and "Check Partition" features. 

Rebuild MBR

Check partition

Fix 2. Unplug or disconnect all external devices

It is recommended to unplug or disconnect all external devices that can cause the 0xC000000F Windows 10 error. Here are the steps to fix the error: First, switch off the Windows device. Next, remove it from the power supply and check the power cord for any signs of wear or strain. If the cord is damaged, replace it before turning the device back on. If the cord looks fine, proceed to the next step. Remove all connected external devices, such as USB devices,microphones, webcams, and other gadgets. Finally, switch the device back on.

Fix 3. Use Windows Memory Diagnostic tool

You need to boot into Safe Mode to access computer, so first, we’ll show how to enter Safe Mode.

Step 1. Open your computer and quickly press the F8 key or the Ctrl key to access the Startup Settings screen. Subsequently, use the F4/F5/F6 keys to select the desired safe mode for booting.

Step 2. After a few minutes, your computer will enter Safe Mode.

Enter Safe Mode

Then you can use Windows Memory Diagnostic Tool to perform boot BCD 0xc00000f fix. It is specifically designed to check for memory-related issues that can lead to blue screen errors. It scans your system's memory thoroughly for errors.

Step 1. Press Win+R to open the RUN dialog box, type mdsched.exe, and hit Enter.

open windows memory diagnostic

Step 2. Choose "Restart now and look for issues" (recommended).

restart now

Step 3. Your system will reboot, and then a diagnostic test will initiate. It will show you if there are any errors in your memory.

windows memory diagnostics tool

Step 4. Once the test is finished, please restart your PC again and check if the problem is fixed. If it shows some big issues in the RAM, then it is better to replace it.

Fix 3. Update System Drivers

Outdated or incompatible drivers can cause system malfunctions, including blue screen errors with boot BCD 0xc00000F in Windows 10. Regularly updating drivers ensures that your computer has stable and compatible driver software. Please boot into Safe Mode and follow these steps:

Step 1. Press Win+X to open a dialog box and select Device Manager.

Step 2. If you see a yellow triangle icon next to any entry, it indicates a possible driver problem. Right-click on these entries and choose "Update Driver."

update driver

Step 3. Select "Search automatically for drivers" to allow Windows to install the necessary updates.

search automatically for drivers

Conclusion

The boot issue like boot BCD 0xC000000F in Windows 10 can be fixed in various ways. You can boot into Safe Mode and follow our guide, or directly use AOMEI Partition Assistant to fix boot issues by safely and easily repair BCD files. This software also helps extend C drive in Windows 10, recover lost files from various data loss scenarios, enable BitLocker in Windows 10 Home, clone disk, and so on. Windows Server users can choose the AOMEI Partition Assistant Server edition.

Irene
Irene · Staff Editor
Irene is an Editor of AOMEI Technology. She devotes herself in giving insightful thoughts on common computer problems with simple and clear guidance. Irene loves to help people solve problems and explore more solutions on relevant issues. She loves reading, singing and travelling.