Windows Error 0xc00000e — Boot Configuration Data Missing or Corrupted

Fix Windows boot error 0xc00000e indicating corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD) preventing Windows from starting after updates, disk changes, or power failures. This guide covers everything you need to know about this topic, including common causes, step-by-step solutions, and answers to frequently asked questions.

Here are the key things to understand: Error 0xc00000e means Windows cannot find or read the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) store. The BCD store contains boot entries telling the bootloader where to find Windows. Common trigger: BIOS boot order change, disk cloning, or adding/removing drives. Shows 'Your PC/Device needs to be repaired' with a blue/black recovery screen. The error can also appear if the Windows partition's drive letter assignment changed. Understanding these fundamentals will help you diagnose and resolve this issue more effectively.

The most common reasons this occurs include: Boot order changed in BIOS pointing to wrong disk or partition. BCD store corrupted by power failure during a write operation. Disk cloning or migration with incorrect BCD entries for the new disk. EFI System Partition deleted, formatted, or corrupted. Hard drive cable loose or drive failure preventing BCD access. Identifying the root cause is the first step toward finding the right solution.

To resolve this, follow these recommended steps: Enter BIOS: verify the correct disk is first in boot order (the disk containing Windows). Boot from Windows installation USB > Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Command Prompt. Rebuild BCD: bootrec /rebuildbcd — this scans for Windows installations and adds them to BCD. If rebuildbcd fails: bootrec /fixmbr and bootrec /fixboot (for MBR disks). For UEFI/GPT: bcdboot C:\Windows /s S: /f UEFI (replace S: with the EFI partition letter). Check disk connections: reseat SATA cables or test with a different cable/port. If these steps do not resolve the issue, consider consulting additional resources or a qualified professional.

This article is part of our Windows Error Codes collection on Error Codes Wiki. We provide comprehensive, up-to-date information to help you find solutions quickly.