How to Fix the Boot Selection Failed Because a Required Device Is Inaccessible

Recoverit Editorial Team

Oct 23, 2026 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions

TL;DR:

Resolve the "boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible" error by disconnecting external drives, correcting the BIOS boot sequence to prioritize the primary system disk, or running repair tools from an installation media.
    ● Accessing the automatic Startup Repair feature or the Command Prompt to run the "chkdsk C:/f" command requires booting the system directly from a dedicated installation disc.
    ● If software repairs fail, physically remove the motherboard battery for 10 minutes to hard-reset the BIOS and verify that all internal hardware cables are firmly connected to their correct ports.
    ● If the computer remains completely unbootable, install Recoverit Data Recovery on a secondary, working machine to format and create a bootable USB or CD/DVD drive to extract your trapped files.

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Are you facing the error; "the boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible" while booting your computer? You might be seeing the black screen when you try to boot the system. Well, do not worry as you can fix it with the solutions discussed here. You will also see the causes of this error and how you can recover your lost data with Recoverit.

Part 1: What Causes the Boot Selection Failed Error?

Various factors lead to the boot selection failed error. Some of them are:

1. Invalid BCD

If the BCD - Boot Configuration database is misconfigured, corrupted, or missing; it restricts Windows from booting up. BCD is the place where lots of data regarding boot settings are stored.

2. Loose or Deteriorated Cable Connections

In the absence of strong and stable connections, you may come across the boot selection failed error.

3. Incorrect BIOS Settings Configuration

If any misconfiguration is observed in BIOS settings, then also boot selection error occurs.

4. Changed Boot Order

You can boot your computer from portable devices like external HDD, USB, and others. If your connected USB has boot propriety on the chief hard drive, then before loading your computer, this boot process inspects the USB. You may see the same error once your bootable device stopped working.

5. Hard Drive - Offline

When your systems hard drive is offline, you can boot your system.

6. Bad Sectors in Hard Disk

If any bad disk sectors can make your storage devices inaccessible.

Part 2: Six Solutions to the Boot Selection Failed Because a Required Device Is Inaccessible

After learning the various causes of "the boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible" error, now take a look at the solutions.

Solution 1 – Verify the BIOS Boot Order

If the BIOS boot order is misconfigured, it makes the device inaccessible. Check the BIOS boot order and set it with the below steps:

Step 1: Enter BIOS Setting

After restarting the system, see the BIOS setup key and press it continuously to enter into the BIOS setup. It can be F1, F2, ESC, Del, and others.

Step 2: Select your systems boot tab, then check is the system disk selected. If not, make the right disk as your primary boot device. You can make the selection with the help of arrow keys, and save the changes.

Step 3: Now restart your system and check if the issue is fixed.

Solution 2 – Try Running DSKCHK available in Recovery Media

Run the DSKCHK on your system. It will look for any corrupt/bad sectors and files and any errors. Follow the below steps to scan the system and repair it.

Step 1: Start System from the Installation Disc

Install your installation disc into your system to boot your system from it. Then go to the time, language, keyboard input, and select "Repair your Computer."

Step 2: Open Command Prompt and type chkdsk C:/f

Select Command Prompt from System Recovery and type chkdsk *: /f (Here * is your drive letter) followed by entering.

Now reboot your system and see whether the problem is resolved.

Solution 3 – Try Resetting the PC's BIOS

When you face the boot selection failed issue, resetting BIOS also helps in solving the problem.

Step 1: Look into the motherboard of your system to search for the battery. You can check the documentation of your system to find it.

Step 2: When you can see the battery, remove it, and keep it aside for approximately 10 minutes and then reinsert it. Boot into BIOS and see whether the problem is fixed.

Solution 4 – Use the Startup Repair feature

Startup repair helps in solving boot errors. Just follow the below steps:

Step 1: Boot your system from the installation disc, then reach system recovery options as discussed in Solution 2.

Step 2: Select "Startup Repair," it will then scan your PC for any issues and repair them automatically.

After finishing all the steps successfully, you need to restart your computer to see whether you have solved the issue or not.

Solution 5 - Verify all the PC's Cable Connections

Check all the cable connections of the PC. Any loose connection can also make the system inaccessible. So ensure all the connections are fixed to the right ports at both the cable ends.

After checking all, restart your system.

Solution 6- Remove All External Devices

"The boot selection failed because a required device is the inaccessible" issue can be due to any external devices connected to your PC. Hence, to solve this issue, you should disconnect all the external devices. These include external hard drives, pen drives, memory card readers, printers, etc.

Now, restart your computer to check whether the issue of boot selection failed is solved or not.

Part 3: How to Recover Your Data from the Unbootable Computer If the Above Methods Fails?

After trying all the above solutions, is the "boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible" still not resolved. We would recommend you to take your PC to the professionals, but before doing so, you should rescue your data from the unbootable computer.

Yes, you can get your data back from an unbootable computer through professional backup software. Hence, Recoverit Data Recovery is an ideal choice for beginners and professionals as you can get your data in a few easy steps quickly. Create a bootable drive that is essential for getting your data back with these steps.

Step 1: Select Data Recovery Mode

Download and install the data recovery software "Recoverit" on some other system to create a bootable drive. Launch Recoverit, and select "System Crash Data Recovery." After making the selection, click on "Start."

Step 2: Select Bootable Drive

Choose a bootable drive from CD/DVD or USB. Click on "Create," and then select the option "Format Now."

Do not eject the drive when the bootable drive creation is in progress. Once the process completes, you will see the below screen.

Step 3: Change Computer Boot Sequence

Before beginning with recovering data, do not forget to change the computer boot sequence. When you restart your computer, enter into the BIOS by clicking the specified key. Check out how to set the computer to boot from a USB drive.

Step 4: Recover Data

Now restart your system, and launch Recoverit with the created bootable drive. Proceed with the recovery. The complete process will take time, depending on the amount of data that needs recovery.

Wrapping Up

You can quickly fix the "boot selection failed because a required device is inaccessible" error by using the six solutions that we have discussed in this article. But if you are still unable to access your important files and folders, Recoverit is one of the best software used by the professionals that can help you to rescue your data.