How to Fix Windows Boot Error 0xc000000d (7 Methods)

Error 0xc000000d is a critical Windows boot error that stops your PC from starting. The BCD (Boot Configuration Data) file is either corrupted or missing, and Windows can’t proceed. The fixes below cover Windows 10 (22H2) and Windows 11 (23H2) and use a bootable USB to reach the recovery tools. This guide is only for your own device or account.

#What Causes Error 0xc000000d?

According to Microsoft’s Windows Recovery documentation, the BCD file is a firmware-independent database that replaced BOOT.INI in Windows Vista. When this file gets corrupted, Windows can’t determine which OS to load, what boot parameters to use, or which device drivers are needed.

The most common causes include incorrect boot configuration settings, hard drive failures or corruption, sudden power outages during system updates, and incomplete Windows installations. Of these, power outages during updates trigger the error most reliably, since they can corrupt the BCD mid-write.

In many cases, you’ll see a message stating “Your PC needs to be repaired”, which confirms a serious boot issue.

#Accessing the Recovery Environment

You’ll need a bootable Windows USB or DVD to access recovery tools. Here’s the process:

1. Insert your Windows installation media (USB or DVD).
2. Restart your PC and boot from the installation media (press F12, F2, or Esc depending on your motherboard).
3. Select your language, then click Repair your computer.

This takes only a short time, from inserting the USB to reaching the recovery menu. If you don’t have installation media, you can create one on another PC using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.

#Fix 1: Run Startup Repair

Startup Repair automatically detects and fixes boot issues, including BCD corruption.

1. In the Recovery Environment, click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
2. Wait for the scan to complete (5-15 minutes).
3. Restart when prompted.

Microsoft’s Windows recovery options guide recommends Startup Repair as the first built-in fix, and on a corrupted BCD it often repairs the boot data with no manual rebuild needed.

#Fix 2: Rebuild BCD With BootRec Commands

If Startup Repair doesn’t work, rebuilding BCD manually gives you more control.

1. In the Recovery Environment, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
2. Run these commands in order, pressing Enter after each:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

3. Type exit and restart your PC.

When Startup Repair fails, the bootrec commands rebuild the BCD quickly and Windows usually boots normally afterward. According to Microsoft’s Bootrec.exe troubleshooting guide, these commands repair the Master Boot Record, write a new boot sector, scan for Windows installations, and rebuild the BCD store respectively.

#Can BitLocker Block the Repair Process?

Yes. If your drive is encrypted with BitLocker, you must unlock it before running any repair commands.

1. In the Recovery Environment Command Prompt, run manage-bde -status to check BitLocker status.
2. Unlock the drive with manage-bde -unlock C: -rp YOUR-RECOVERY-KEY.
3. Temporarily disable BitLocker with manage-bde -protectors -disable C: before running repairs.
4. Re-enable after repairs with manage-bde -protectors -enable C:.

On a BitLocker-encrypted drive, bootrec commands fail silently until the drive is unlocked. Once you unlock it with the recovery key, the same commands run normally. Always keep your BitLocker recovery key saved to your Microsoft account or printed.

#Fix 3: Manually Rebuild the BCD Store

If the standard bootrec commands don’t work, try deleting and recreating the BCD store completely.

1. In Command Prompt from the Recovery Environment, run:

bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup
attrib C:\boot\bcd -h -r -s
ren C:\boot\bcd bcd.old
bootrec /rebuildbcd

2. When prompted “Add installation to boot list?”, type Y and press Enter.
3. Restart your PC.

When the standard bootrec commands return “Total identified Windows installations: 0,” renaming the old BCD file and rebuilding lets Windows detect the installation and boot successfully.

#Fix 4: Run System Restore

If you have a restore point from before the error appeared, System Restore rolls back Windows to that working state.

1. In the Recovery Environment, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
2. Select a restore point from before the error started.
3. Follow the prompts to complete the restoration.

When the error starts after a failed Windows update, restoring to a point from before the update usually fixes the boot issue. Note that system restore can take varying amounts of time depending on your system configuration.

#Fix 5: Run SFC and DISM Offline

Corrupted system files can prevent proper boot configuration. Running SFC and DISM from the recovery environment repairs these files.

1. Open Command Prompt from the Recovery Environment.
2. Run: sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows
3. Then run: DISM /Image:C:\ /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
4. Restart after both scans complete.

SFC typically finds and repairs corrupted files related to the boot process. For related errors like 0xc0000098, these same offline repair tools often resolve the underlying file corruption.

#Fix 6: Reinstall Windows as a Last Resort

If none of the above methods work, a clean Windows installation may be your last option. Before going this route, try repairing Windows 10 without a CD first.

If reinstalling is unavoidable:

1. Create bootable Windows installation media using the Media Creation Tool.
2. Boot from the media and choose Custom: Install Windows only.
3. Select the drive and follow the prompts.

Warning: This erases all data on the selected drive. Back up files first if possible.

#Preventing Error 0xc000000d in the Future

1. Use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) to prevent sudden shutdowns during updates.
2. Keep Windows updated to patch vulnerabilities that affect boot files.
3. Run antivirus scans regularly to prevent malware from corrupting boot sectors.
4. Always shut down properly. Never force power off during updates.

If you’re having trouble logging in after a boot repair, check our guides on Windows 10 PIN not working and Windows 7 stuck on welcome screen.

#Bottom Line

Start with Startup Repair. If that fails, rebuild BCD using bootrec commands. These two methods fix 80-90% of 0xc000000d errors. For BitLocker-encrypted drives, always unlock before attempting repairs.

If all software fixes fail, your hard drive may be physically damaged. Run chkdsk C: /f /r from the recovery environment to check for bad sectors. For related Windows boot errors and bootmgr issues, check our troubleshooting guides.

#Frequently Asked Questions