[Solved] Inaccessible Boot Device in Windows 11 SSD
This article dives into the causes of this error and offers comprehensive solutions to resolve it. We'll cover both basic troubleshooting steps and advanced fixes, ensuring that users of all technical levels can get their systems back up and running.
User case: How to fix inaccessible boot device stop code?
Hey guys, I have a problem with my SSD. This is an old SSD (A) with Windows already in it. Because I wanted to do some testing I installed another SSD (B) from another computer to have access to some files. Everything was working fine. After I disconnected the SSD (B), I tried to boot to the SSD (A) and then it crashed and gave me the error INACCESSIBLE BOOT DEVICE. I tried changing the boot priority from the UEFI BIOS and it just shows a white underscore and then the screen goes absolutely black. Can anybody help with this? Thanks!
- Question from Tom’s HARDWARE
We highly advise you to create a backup of your Windows 11 operating system. This ensures that you can swiftly revert to a previous version in case of system issues and safeguard against data loss from unforeseen accidents. Follow the link provided to access a complimentary backup solution.
👉Bonus tip: Backup your system before Inaccessible Boot Device occurs
How to fix inaccessible boot devices in Windows 11
Facing the stop code of Windows 11 inaccessible boot device, you must be feeling irritated and overwhelmed, wondering how to effectively settle this problem and get your computer back to normal use. Don't worry, I have summarized 6 practical and effective methods that have been reported by many users. You can try them all to see if they work well and if your computer is back to a healthy state. In addition, if you don't want to be bothered by endless system problems, this article also recommends the best free third-party tool for you. Now, let's get started.
Way 1: Perform Windows Startup Repair
Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) is a recovery environment that can repair common causes of unbootable operating systems. You can try to boot into WinRE to fix the inaccessible boot device on startup using the steps below.
1. Shut down your computer at the startup screen, and repeat it three times to boot into WinRE.
2. Select Troubleshoot＞Advanced options＞Startup Repair.
Way 2: Run a system file scan
The Windows System File Checker (SFC) is a tool that is embedded in all modern versions of Windows. This tool allows you to repair corrupt system files in Windows.
1. Type the Command prompt in the search box, select it, and Run as administrator.
2. Input the command DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth, and press Enter.
3. Then type sfc /scannow and press Enter to wait for its completion.
Way 3: Update IDE ATA/SATA Controller Drivers
An outdated or corrupt driver can be one of the reason for the Inaccessible Boot Device error, updating or reinstalling it should fix it.
1. Open Device Manager by right click the Start icon in the taskbar.
2. Select and click the arrow to expand IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers, and right-click the option to choose Update driver.
3. In the newly opened window, you will be provided with two options. Choose either of them according to your needs.
4. Then you just need to follow the wizard’s prompts and restart the PC normally.
Way 4: Reset BIOS configuration
According to some user’s feedback, enabling AHCI mode in BIOS is a very effective way to solve the Inaccessible Boot Device error.
1. Restart your computer and during this process, press F2/DEL to enter the BIOS.
2. In the Advanced Options menu, change the mode of Configure SATA as to AHCI, tap F10 to save and exit the BIOS.
Way 5: Run a Check Disk scan
Check Disk scans your hard disk for errors and corrects those errors. But you should notice that since CHKDSK takes over the hard disk and does not allow other programs to run until complete. It is important to run CHKDSK when several hours of downtime is acceptable.
1. Type cmd in the Start menu search bar, then click Run as administrator.
2. Input chkdsk/f /r X:(drive letter) and press Enter. CHKDSK will scan for drive errors and let you know if it found any you should repair, but it won’t try to fix them without a command.
3. Press Y when you are prompted to check the disk the next time that the system restarts.
4. Restart the computer to check if it works.
Way 6: Rollback Windows 11 updates
This issue can also appear after a system update, you can roll back to the previous suitable version as you like.
1. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Uninstall Updates from the WinRE.
2. Select the update you want to uninstall, follow the on-screen instructions and wait for the process to complete.
Bonus tip: Backup your system before an Inaccessible Boot Device occurs
Dealing with the "Inaccessible Boot Device" error can be incredibly frustrating. If the previous six methods didn’t solve the issue, it's time to consider using reliable third-party software to avoid further disruption. I highly recommend AOMEI Backupper Standard, the best free backup software tool. With its system backup feature, you can safeguard your important data, ensuring you can quickly restore your computer to a stable state whenever needed.
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First of all, download this freeware to your PC, install and launch it.
Step 1. Click System Backup under the Backup option in the left panel.
Step 2. The program automatically chooses the system-related partition(s) as the source data. You just need to select a destination path.
Step 3. Click Start Backup to back up your Windows 11.
After having created a system image backup, you can use it to restore your PC to a previous state once you need it.
☄ If your Windows system has crashed or can’t boot up correctly, you can use the function Create Bootable Media under Tools to restore the system backup created before without Windows.
What causes the "Inaccessible Boot Device" error on SSD?
The "Inaccessible Boot Device" error in Windows 11 is a common blue screen of death (BSOD) issue that prevents your system from booting up correctly. It indicates that Windows couldn’t access the system partition during startup, and it tends to occur more often with PCs using SSDs.
This error can be triggered by outdated or incompatible drivers, corrupted system files, or hardware malfunctions. If you're eager to resolve the "Inaccessible Boot Device" error on Windows 11, head to the next section for solutions.
FAQs about Inaccessible Boot Device Windows 11 SSD
Start by checking your SSD connections and ensuring they're secure. Then, try booting into Safe Mode to uninstall recently installed drivers or updates. Updating SSD drivers and performing a system restore can also resolve the issue.
Yes, you can often fix the error without reinstalling Windows. Utilize advanced startup options like System Restore or Automatic Repair. Running CHKDSK to check for disk errors or using the DISM tool to repair system image corruption may also help.
If the error persists, it may indicate a more severe hardware issue with your SSD or motherboard. In such cases, consider seeking professional assistance to diagnose and resolve the underlying problem. Backing up important data is crucial before attempting any major repairs or replacements.
No, the error can occur on SSDs running any Windows operating system. However, with the introduction of Windows 11, users may encounter this error on SSDs running the latest OS. The troubleshooting steps remain largely the same regardless of the Windows version, focusing on driver updates, system restores, and hardware checks.
Related Technical Terms
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AHCI (Advanced Host Controller Interface): A standard that allows the motherboard to communicate with SATA drives, improving performance and enabling advanced features like hot swapping.
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CHKDSK (Check Disk Utility): A command-line tool used to scan and repair disk errors, which can often resolve issues like the inaccessible boot device error.
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Fast Boot: A feature in BIOS that reduces startup time by bypassing some system checks. However, it can sometimes interfere with SSD initialization, causing boot issues.
Expert Tips to Prevent Future Boot Device Errors
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Regularly Update Drivers: Keeping your SSD and system drivers updated can prevent compatibility issues that lead to boot errors.
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Perform System Backups: Use a tool like AOMEI Backupper to regularly back up your system, ensuring you can recover your data if errors occur.
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Monitor SSD Health: Regularly check your SSD’s health using diagnostic tools to catch potential failures before they cause serious problems.
Wind up
These are the 6 solutions for inaccessible boot devices in Windows 11 SSD. You can try them one by one to see if one of them can meet your needs. If you don't want to be bothered by system problems all the time, then it is recommended to ask for help from third-party backup software. AOMEI Backupper can create a system image of your computer in advance so that you can use this backup to recover your computer to a healthy state in case you encounter similar system errors.
It is the best free and professional software that can safeguard your files or data. No matter whether you want to wipe an external hard drive or you need to improve your Windows 11 performance, it can spare you from a lot of trouble. There are more powerful features waiting for you to explore, so try it by yourself now!