This error code 0xc000000d is also known as BCD error or boot configuration data error. It is raised by the windows operating system if the BCD file is missing or corrupted. The hexadecimal number 0xc000000d is the error code that windows generate.
Many users receiving an error message that says like: Your PC needs to be repaired with an error code 0xc000000d. This message usually appears when your system is not able to boot properly and show a blue screen on your monitor.
Quick Overivew
What is the BCD file?
Boot Configuration Data file, or BCD file, in short, is a very important system file for Windows Operating System. It contains several vital pieces of information related to booting, such as:
- Available bootable partitions,
- Operating system labels in those partitions,
- A priority of booting order,
- Default bootable label,
- Time interval to wait before activating the default boot label, etc.
Older versions of Windows used a simple text file called boot.ini to hold these booting parameters. At boot time the ntldr system file used to consult this file and perform the necessary booting operations. From windows vista onwards the scenario changed – boot.ini is replaced by a BCD file and windows boot manager replaces ntldr.
The actual BCD file is no more a simple text file, instead, it now has a format similar to windows registry hives. As a result without specific windows command, you cannot directly edit this file.
The BCD file is present in /boot/BCD of the active partition in the case of MBR-based systems whereas for UEFI based systems it is present in location /EFI/Microsoft/Boot/BCD of the EFI System Partition. The BCD file may get lost or corrupted due to several reasons such as boot sector virus, improper shutdown, sudden power failure, forceful shut down due to system freezing, etc.
Whatever may be the case, the windows boot manager will be unable to boot the operating system if the perfect BCD file is not there. Therefore it raises an error, 0xc000000d, to indicate its failure.
What is Error Code 0xc000000d?
Recently many users complaint that I am seeing an Error message 0xc000000d on Windows 10 when trying to boot. Usually, when this error happens then it doesn’t allow to login to the Windows and show just either a blue or black screen.
Windows operating system is a very communicative one, that is, it is ready with feedback, most of the time. Be it a successful operation or be it a system failure, windows will inform us. If some nonfatal error happens when windows is running then it will raise a message in an easily understandable format. In that case, windows have ample sophisticated messaging tools available in its shell and kernel. A problem arises when it is a fatal error during windows running or the error has occurred at the early stage of booting. Having no sophisticated messaging tool in hand, windows then reports those errors using specific hexadecimal error codes.
How to Fix PC needs to be repaired Error 0xc000000d?
It is to be kept in mind, that the BCD file is not an ordinary text file. So we cannot reconfigure it simply by using a text editor. At the same time, we must remember that this file is actually called into play at the very early stage of booting, as a result of which we will not get any support from a running windows system. In fact, during that time we cannot interact with the operating system. Therefore we have to use specific methods that can just make a small entry into the operating systems to do the necessary troubleshooting. Some simple yet very effective methods are as follows –
Solution 1: Change the Hard Drive Data Cable and Power Cable
Yes, this may sound a little funny, but connectivity or electrical failure in the power and data cable, during an early stage of booting, is a definite reason for BCD error. This is obviously an issue for desktop computers only.
- Shut down your system completely.
- Unplug the power cable
- Open the system cabinet
- Remove the power cable and data cable that is connected with the hard-drive.
- Now wait for 2-3 minutes and then re-connect the cable.
Solution 2: Automated Recovery
This is another simple method to fix error code 0xc00000d issue that you can use. All you have to boot your PC/Laptop using a bootable USB or DVD drive, here are the steps:
- Boot up PC using windows bootable USB or DVD (download from here)
- When the setup starts select date, time, etc
- Select next and then select Repair Your Computer
- Select Troubleshoot
- Select Advanced
- Select Setup Repair
After all necessary tasks reboot the system.
Solution 3: Recovery using Command Prompt
You can also try to run the Command during system bootup process. This is another way to fix the problem:
- Boot up pc using windows bootable USB or DVD
- When the setup starts select date, time, etc
- Select next and then select Repair Your Computer
- Select Troubleshoot
- Select Advanced
- Select Command Prompt
Then enter the following commands, one by one
bootrec/fixmbrbootrec/fixbootbootrec/scannowbootrec/rebuildbcd
After that reboot the system and this will fix the issue.
Solution 5: Replace the Hard Drive
If all of the above method not worked then something is wrong with your hard drive. It may be corrupted or damaged. In that case, you can replace with another old or a new HDD and connect to the PC and try to reboot.
And then you can try to reboot the system with a fresh installation of Windows 10.
Here is how to find hard-drive is HDD or SSD.
Solution 5: Using System Restore
The System Restore is the simple yet effective method to fix the Error Code 0xc000000d. But unlike system restore from normal Windows 10, the boot process doesn’t allow any option to keep the files when resting the Windows. Therefore use only this option when you have the backup of your files.
- Press the Power button on the system and keep pressing F12 button on your keyboard.
- Once the Boot Selection menu will appear go to the Boot Menu using the arrow keys.
- Now choose USB HDD: PEN DRIVE NAME and hit the Enter button
- Now the Windows System will load the recovery software using the USB/Pen drive.
- Now, follow the wizard, choose the Keyboard layout and choose Troubleshoot.
- Now choose Recover from a drive option.
- Next, choose, Just remove my files
- And finally click on Recover button
This will initiate the system to reinstall the Operating System.
So, these were the methods to fix the error code 0xc00000d. If you still have any issue then feel free to add your valuable comment below.
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