The 0xc00000e is an error commonly found on Windows 10 systems faced by thousands just like yourself. In a plethora of errors, we have one more to resolve. Going behind the solutions may require hours no matter how much of a novice you are to the Microsoft OS. Trying out tens of solutions, still without results can be frustrating. Worry no more, following the methods given here, might help you. Without further due, let’s have a deep analysis of the error and try some possible fixes.
What is the Cause of 0xc00000e Error?
As you may have already guessed, the error is something related to the OS not being able to access some of the files that it requires to load properly. The error itself displays as winload.exe cannot be initialized. It could be due to a corrupted file, or can be as serious as a damaged hard drive. So, the very basic explanation would be, “Windows is not able to load properly, either due to a corrupted file or due to damaged partition.” There you have it.
How to Fix 0xc00000e?
Fixing the error, like most of the members in the “Windows Error Family” would require some amount of effort to be put in. If you are lucky enough, a simple system restart could resolve the issue. If you are not, you might end up spending hundreds on a new hard drive, plus, countless hours of installing and copying your files again. Don’t worry, let’s try something and see what happens.
1. Restart!
Yup. The most renowned method to resolve almost any issue. Just restart that cute little PC and see if it solves the issue. You can either go for the soft way by pressing F8 to navigate to the Startup Settings and gracefully give your PC the opportunity to shut down. Or, simply hold down the power button for a while. If you made any improvements, you are lucky. If not, move down to the next best option.
2. Reconnect the Hard Drive
This might sound like a silly solution. But why not. If you know how to do it, open your computer case if it is a desktop PC, disconnect and reconnect the connection to the hard drive and motherboard. If you own a laptop and don’t know what you are going to do, I would recommend you to not do it. Go to the next method. Go! Go! Go!. So, the desktop folks may be able to fix the problem if it was caused by a loose connection between the hard drive and the motherboard. Try your luck.
3. Startup Repair
Windows startup repair simply solves any issues preventing Windows from getting started that it can identify. It won’t be a solution to all of the issues, but it can be quite helpful if the problem is very simple. You can perform a Startup repair following our guide. Don’t worry, you won’t lose any data performing it on your PC. It simply checks for any errors in your OS or hardware configuration and tries to resolve them.
4. Automatic Repair
Automatic repair is a functionality that comes with Windows to identify and fix any common errors preventing Windows from working properly. So, obviously, you should try that to fix the issue. If you are coming across this screen telling you to automatically repair the computer, do not hesitate to click the button. Most probably, after several unsuccessful attempts to get into the OS, Windows will automatically try to fix the issue. You can also manually enter the section by pressing F12 while the computer is booting and choosing the Automatic Repair option.
4. Rebuild BCD (Boot Configuration Data)
For those who don’t know, BCD or Boot Configuration Data is what tells your computer how to boot your OS. Once it gets corrupted, you could end up in such errors including 0xc00000e because Windows isn’t able to boot properly.
- Insert the Windows installation CD or USB and boot into Windows installation mode.
- Choose your language and location and click Next.
- In the Install Now section, at the bottom-left corner, click on the Repair your computer link.
- Click on the Troubleshoot option and Advanced options.
- Then choose the Command Prompt.
- Choose your account and provide the login credentials to login to your PC.
- In the command prompt screen, type bootrec /rebuildbcd and press Enter.
- After the rebuild process has completed, it will ask you to add the Windows installation to the boot list. Press Y.
- After that, type bootrec /fixmbr and press Enter.
- Then bootrec /fixboot and press Enter again.
That’s it. You have successfully rebuilt the BCD.
5. Reinstall Windows
No luck in any of the above-mentioned steps? Still not able to get into your favorite OS? It is time to give it a new life. You can reinstall Windows after backing up all the files that are in your C: drive. You need the drive to install Windows. So, as usual, you can install it to the C: drive. But the problem is that, in order to install Windows, you need to format the partition. While formatting the partition, you will lose any files that are stored in the C: or Desktop, Documents, etc.
So, if you are sure that there are no important documents in those sections, you can proceed with Windows installation on C: without formatting other drives. If you have any important files in the C: drive, you can detach the hard drive, connect it to another computer, copy the files, and then format it to continue installing Windows.
6. It’s gone
Tried everything? No luck? Even reinstalling Windows doesn’t help? The PC gets into trouble every once in a while including random freezes and restarts? I am afraid to tell you that it is time to throw that hard drive away and go for a new one. Over time, like anything, the hard drive also ages, wears, tears, and slowly start to die. If you are OK with the performance and issues, continue using it. If you do not want to lose those important documents you are going to save on the drive, go for a new one.