0xc000000f: Your PC/Device needs to be repaired
Most likely cause: The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is damaged or incomplete, often after a power cut, forced shutdown, or interrupted Windows update
Try first: Unplug extra drives and check the boot order
Likely causes
- The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is damaged or incomplete, often after a power cut, forced shutdown, or interrupted Windows updatemost likely
- The PC is trying to boot from the wrong drive, for example a USB stick or second disk was left plugged in, or the boot order changed in BIOS/UEFIpossible
- The system drive has file system errors or is failing, or its cable is looseless likely
How to fix it
Unplug extra drives and check the boot orderSafe
Remove USB sticks, external drives and memory cards, then restart. If it still fails, open the BIOS/UEFI setup (usually Del, F2 or F10 at power-on) and confirm the drive with Windows (often labeled Windows Boot Manager) is first in the boot order and is detected at all. If the drive isn't listed, it's a hardware or cable problem, not a software one.
Open the Windows Recovery EnvironmentSafe
On Windows 10 and 11, F8 usually doesn't work. Instead, turn the PC on and hold the power button to switch it off as soon as the Windows logo appears; after the second or third time it opens Automatic Repair. Or boot from a Windows installation USB (made with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool on another PC) and choose Repair your computer.
Run Startup RepairChanges settings
In the recovery menu choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair and pick your Windows install. It checks and rebuilds the boot files automatically and fixes this error in many cases.
Check the system drive for errorsChanges settings
In Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt, Windows may not be on C:. Type dir C:\Windows (then D:, E:...) to find the drive letter that holds the Windows folder, and use it in the command below. This can take a while on a large drive.
chkdsk C: /fRebuild the boot files with bcdbootDangerous
Still in the recovery Command Prompt, replace C: with the drive letter that holds the Windows folder. bcdboot recreates the BCD and boot files for both UEFI and older BIOS PCs. On older BIOS (non-UEFI) PCs, if it still won't boot, the next step is bootrec /rebuildbcd.
bcdboot C:\Windows⚠ This rewrites your PC's boot files. Back up important files first if you can (in the recovery Command Prompt, type notepad and use File > Open to copy files to a USB drive), and don't turn the PC off while it runs.
If that didn't fix it
Use the installation USB to copy your important files off the drive, then run Reset this PC (Keep my files) from Troubleshoot. If the drive isn't detected in BIOS/UEFI or chkdsk reports bad sectors, replace the drive and reinstall Windows.
When to see a technician
See a technician if the drive isn't detected in BIOS/UEFI, makes clicking noises, or you can't reach the recovery menu at all, or if you need files recovered from a drive that won't boot.
Quick answers
- What does 0xc000000f: Your PC/Device needs to be repaired mean?
- Windows can't start because the Boot Configuration Data (BCD), the file that tells your PC where Windows is, is missing or damaged. Your files are usually still there; the fix is to repair the boot files from the recovery menu.
- What causes 0xc000000f: Your PC/Device needs to be repaired?
- The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is damaged or incomplete, often after a power cut, forced shutdown, or interrupted Windows update. (most likely) The PC is trying to boot from the wrong drive, for example a USB stick or second disk was left plugged in, or the boot order changed in BIOS/UEFI. (possible) The system drive has file system errors or is failing, or its cable is loose. (less likely)
- How do I fix 0xc000000f: Your PC/Device needs to be repaired?
- Try these in order, safest first: 1. Unplug extra drives and check the boot order. 2. Open the Windows Recovery Environment. 3. Run Startup Repair. 4. Check the system drive for errors. 5. Rebuild the boot files with bcdboot.
- What if that didn't fix it?
- Use the installation USB to copy your important files off the drive, then run Reset this PC (Keep my files) from Troubleshoot. If the drive isn't detected in BIOS/UEFI or chkdsk reports bad sectors, replace the drive and reinstall Windows.
- When should I see a technician?
- See a technician if the drive isn't detected in BIOS/UEFI, makes clicking noises, or you can't reach the recovery menu at all, or if you need files recovered from a drive that won't boot.