0xc000000e – Your PC Needs to Be Repaired: 4 Ways to Fix It

Many Windows users often face various BSOD errors, and the error code 0xc000000e is a typical example. You might likely encounter this error when upgrading your operating system. You will generally get an error that says, Your PC/Device needs to be repaired, a required device isn’t connected or can’t be accessed.

Remember that the main culprits behind this error include misconfigured or faulty drivers, hardware problems, inaccessible or corrupt winload.exe files, or the boot location for your OS cannot be found. Whatever the cause, there are various ways to resolve this problem. Read on to learn how.

Before trying anything advanced or complicated, try out this easy fix.

• The first step is to verify if any other devices (such as pen drives, USB devices, CDs, etc) are connected to your computer and remove them. This is important because the BIOS or UEFI might be set to place a higher boot priority on an eternal device attached to it.

1. Rebuild the boot configuration data file

The boot configuration data, also called BCD, comprises the boot configuration parameters for starting your Windows OS. If the configuration file is corrupted, your Windows device will fail to boot, and display error 0xc000000e.

1. For this step to work, you must use the MediaCreationTool.exe file. To get this file, navigate to the Windows 11 download page and click Download under the Create Windows 11 Installation Media section.
   
2. This standalone executable program does not require installation, so you can simply execute it to build a bootable USB from an ISO image. Simply double-click the.exe file and accept the terms.
3. Choose the Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD or ISO file) for another PC option and click Next.
   
4. The tool will select the language, architecture, and edition from your installation details and you can also click the Use the recommended options for this PC option to modify the settings according to your preference.
   
5. In the next menu, choose USB flash drive to make a bootable USB from ISO. Ensure that your USB has at least 8GB storage capacity.
   
6. Next, pick a flash drive and click Next.
   
7. Allow the tool to download the media file for Windows 11 to the chosen USB.
8. Once the USB flash drive is ready, choose Finish.
   
9. After creating your bootable USB flash, insert it into your system and click Next on the first screen.
   
10. Ignore the Install now option and click the Repair your computer link at the bottom left corner of the menu.
    
11. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
    
12. Choose the account you want to use to continue and input the password if required.
13. In the command prompt, type the command below and hit Enter.
    bootrec /rebuildbcd
14. Once a Windows installation is found, you will need to press Y on your keyboard so as to allow it to boot from the list.
15. When it is complete, enter the following commands and hit Enter after each one.
    bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
16. After completing the entire process, reboot your PC and see if the 0xc000000e error has been fixed.

2. Set your disk as online

Sometimes the BIOS or UEFI might not detect your disk which could also lead to this error. Marking your disk online helps make the disk visible to BIOS and this will resolve the problem.

1. Create a bootable Windows file by following the steps above, boot from it, and navigate to the Repair your computer link.
   
2. Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
   
3. Next, input the command below. This will launch the Diskpart program under the Command Prompt.
   diskpart
4. Then type one of the two commands below. These commands will list all disk connections or partitions on those disks.
   list disk
list volume
5. Depending on the list command you chose, input one of the commands below and hit Enter.
   select disk #
select volume #
6. Lastly, type one of the commands below depending on your previous disk or volume selection and press Enter.
   online disk #
online volume #
7. This process will set the chosen disk as online.

3. Run Windows startup repair

Startup Repair can diagnose and repair any problems that are discovered. It can automatically scan system files, registry settings, configuration settings, etc, and attempt to resolve the issue independently.

1. Configure your PC to boot using the bootable USB medium.
2. Select the Repair your computer link.
   
3. Next, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
   
4. The Startup repair tool will start automatically. Allow the process to finish then check if your device boots without any problem.
   

4. Reset BIOS/UEFI Configuration

Various users have also commented that resetting the BIOS/UEFI configuration has helped them resolve this problem, so it is worth a shot. Follow the steps below to do this.

1. Launch the BIOS setup by pressing the power button of your PC and continuously press the F10 key (this works for most laptops). However, if you use an HP laptop, you might try pressing F2 instead.
2. In the BIOS setup, press F9, this will display an option that reads Load Setup defaults, select Yes.
   
3. Doing this will restore your default BIOS settings and fix the 0xc000000e error.

Rounding up

If you have carefully followed this article to the end, you will discover that the 0xc000000e error is not as complicated as people make it look and that there are ways to troubleshoot the problem.

Additionally, if you encounter other update errors like 0x80042001 Windows Update Error or Windows Update Error with Code 0x8024000f, be assured that there are also simple steps to fix them.