Fixing INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE Error in Windows 11/10

David Darlington

Dec 16, 2024 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions

Windows 11/10 is a more stable and efficient version of the Windows operating system, but it does not mean that the version is error-free. Just when you least expect it (or when you are in a hurry), errors like the Windows 11/10 inaccessible boot device can happen.

Part 1: What Is the Inaccessible Boot Device Error
Part 2: What Causes this Inaccessible Boot Device Error?
Part 3: How to Fix Inaccessible Boot Device Error In Windows 11/10
Part 4: Bonus Tip: Recover Lost Data When the Solutions Failed to Fix the Issue

What Is the Inaccessible Boot Device Error

Major updates are pushed and installed automatically in Windows 11/10. Whenever a major upgrade rolls in, your computer starts the process of downloading and consequently running the installation thereafter. The INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE error appears as a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD).

windows 10 inaccessible boot device error

Some users encounter this error a few minutes after startup, or right after a reset or SSD upgrade. It could also happen on loop, where the PC tries to troubleshoot a few times but to no avail. In other words, the computer loses access to some system partition while starting up, causing itself to shut down to protect against data loss or damage.

What Causes this Inaccessible Boot Device Error?

Corrupted file system
Misbehaving, corrupted or missing filter drivers relating to a storage stack
Transferring the hard drive into a different computer with a separate storage controller
Changing the mode or settings of the storage controller in the BIOS
Choosing a different storage controller rather than the default Windows driver
Faulty hardware, most commonly on the motherboard or storage controller
Component-based store corruption causing failure to install updates by TrustedInstaller service
Corrupted files found in the boot system partition
Malware

How to Fix Inaccessible Boot Device Error In Windows 11/10

Solution 1: Uninstall the Recently Installed Packages

If you have Windows automatic updates, new packages get pushed and installed without prompt. If one of the packages recently installed is causing the error, you can eliminate them using these steps:

To make the Automatic Repair screen appear, press the Power to turn on and hold down five seconds to turn off. Repeat a few times up until the blue screen shows. (Note: if the blue screen shows as soon as you boot, skip this step.)
Wait for a few minutes while Windows diagnoses the problem.
When the Startup Repair window prompts, select Advanced options. This will redirect to Windows RE (Win Recovery Management) screen.

Startup Repair

Choose the Troubleshoot option, then Advanced options.
Select Command Prompt.
Type in dir in the command line to check the system drive where Windows 11/10 is installed. Skip this step if you know the drive already.

dir

Run the command Dism /Image:X:\ /Get-Packages to bring up the installed packages (note: replace X with the correct drive letter where packages are installed). Choose the recently installed packages basing on the date of installation if you are not sure which one causes the error.
Run exe /image:<drive letter>:\/remove-package/packagename:<name of package>.
Wait for the uninstalling process to compete, reboot the computer, and check if the issue is resolved.

Solution 2: Update Your Drivers

Go to the driver manufacturer's website to look for and download all the latest drivers. Controller drivers such as IDE ATA/SATA most often cause the boot problem.
You can also press Win + X and choose Device Manager. Expand "IDE ATA/SATA controller" found on the left pane and right-click Standard SATA AHCI Controller, and then choose Update Driver.

Standard SATA AHCI Controller

Install the corresponding driver updates and check to see if the error is resolved.

Solution 3: Toggle AHCI Mode Value in BIOS to Enabled

This solution lacks the standard set of steps because the BIOS menu differs from one manufacturer to another. The best tip is to check the motherboard manual to determine what key to press.

When starting up, click the key as listed in the manufacturer's manual repeatedly to enter the BIOS menu.
Open the BIOS Setup Utility.
Head to Advanced Options, look for Set the AHCI Mode.
Select Enabled and exit the BIOS menu.

Enabled

Solution 4: Get Rid of "Update Pending" Packages

On the search bar, type Update & Security and select
Select Advanced Startup and then select Restart Now.
Choose Troubleshoot from the options and click Advanced Options.

Troubleshoot

Run Command Prompt.
Run these following commands one by one to remove registry key Sessions Pending:
"reg delete HKLM\temp\Microsoft\Current Version\Component Based Server"
"reg unload HKLM\temp"
To move pending updates, make a temporary file by running "MKDIR c:\temp\packages" and hit Enter.
Run "dism / image : c: \remove package / <package name>:/scratchdir:c: \temp׀" Replace <package name> with appropriate pending package label.

Solution 5: Check and Have all Corrupted Hard Drive Files Fixed

Run Command Prompt as administrator.
Type "chkdsk/f /r" then press the Enter

chkdsk/f /r

Wait for the command to process and then type Y. Hit Enter.

Wait for the command to process

If Windows cannot boot, run the command in the recovery console by typing chkdsk/r C:.

Solution 6: Malware Scan

Malware frequently cause errors, including INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE. You can solve this by downloading anti-malware that can scan your PC for malware and remove them. You can also use Windows 11/10 Defender Security.

use Windows 10 Defender Security

Search Windows Defender Security Center on the search bar to launch it.
Click Scan Now and wait until the scanning process is done.
If malware is detected, the PC will then prompt the action needed to fix the problem.

It is a headache when you encounter the Inaccessible Boot Device problem. However, the many options to solve this error are enough to make sure that your PC does not suffer from this error. Give one a try as any of these will definitely work to resolve this type of BSOD. By the way, you can also learn to fix the BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFO error.

Recover Lost Data When the Above Solutions Failed to Fix the Issue

As usual, the issue can be solved by the above methods. However, under a few circumstances, the methods fail, even the computer fails to boot up. You have to resort to the professional data recovery software - Recoverit to get the inaccessible data back. Follow the below steps to make it.