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Windows Blue Screen Error 0xc000000d? Here's How to Fix It

Last updated: March 2026

The Windows blue screen error 0xc000000d typically appears when your computer tries to start up. This error means Windows has detected a corrupted boot record, often after a cumulative update or unexpected shutdown. While it sounds serious, there are several reliable fixes you can try.

Let's walk through the solutions that work most often, starting with the simplest options first.

In This Guide:

  • How to use automatic repair without any tools
  • How to create a Windows install USB and do a repair install
  • How to rebuild the boot record using bootrec commands
  • When to use each method based on your situation

Fix #1: Press F1 for Automatic Repair

When the blue screen appears with error 0xc000000d, press the F1 key when prompted, wait 5-15 minutes for Windows to automatically repair the boot record, then let your computer restart. This is the fastest fix and works in many cases.

Steps:

  1. 1. When the blue screen appears, look for the message that says "Press F1 to continue"
  2. 2. Press the F1 key on your keyboard
  3. 3. Windows will automatically attempt to repair the boot record
  4. 4. Wait for the repair process to complete (this can take 5-15 minutes)
  5. 5. Your computer will restart automatically when the repair is done
  6. 6. If successful, Windows will boot normally

Why This Works:

Windows has built-in automatic repair tools that can detect and fix corrupted boot configuration data. When you press F1, Windows scans the boot files, identifies what's corrupted, and repairs or rebuilds those files automatically. This works for most boot record problems caused by Windows updates or improper shutdowns.

Fix #2: Boot from Windows Install USB and Do Repair Install

Create a Windows install USB using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool on another computer, insert it into your non-booting PC, boot from the USB (press F12, F2, or Del), select Repair your computer, then Troubleshoot, Advanced options, and Startup Repair. If pressing F1 doesn't work or the blue screen doesn't show an F1 option, you'll need to create a Windows installation USB drive and boot from it.

What You'll Need:

  • A USB drive with at least 8GB of space
  • Access to another working computer
  • Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft's website

Steps:

  1. 1. On a working computer, go to Microsoft's website and download the Windows Media Creation Tool
  2. 2. Run the tool and select "Create installation media"
  3. 3. Choose "USB flash drive" and follow the prompts to create a bootable USB
  4. 4. Insert the USB drive into your non-booting computer
  5. 5. Turn on the computer and immediately press the boot menu key (usually F12, F2, or Del, depending on your PC manufacturer)
  6. 6. Select the USB drive from the boot menu
  7. 7. When Windows Setup appears, click "Next" then "Repair your computer"
  8. 8. Click "Troubleshoot" then "Advanced options"
  9. 9. Click "Startup Repair" and let Windows diagnose and fix the boot issue
  10. 10. Restart your computer and remove the USB drive

Why This Works:

The Windows install USB contains a complete set of repair tools that are more comprehensive than the basic automatic repair. Startup Repair can rebuild the entire boot configuration database and restore system files that may be corrupted. This is especially effective when the damage is more extensive than a simple boot record error.

Fix #3: Rebuild Boot Record Using Bootrec Commands

Boot from the Windows install USB, go to Advanced options, open Command Prompt, then run these commands: bootrec /fixmbr, bootrec /fixboot, bootrec /scanos, and bootrec /rebuildbcd, then restart. If Startup Repair doesn't fix the error, you can manually rebuild the boot record using command-line tools.

Steps:

  1. 1. Boot from the Windows install USB (follow steps 4-8 from Fix #2)
  2. 2. In Advanced options, click "Command Prompt"
  3. 3. Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each one:
  4. bootrec /fixmbr
  5. bootrec /fixboot
  6. bootrec /scanos
  7. bootrec /rebuildbcd
  8. 4. When asked if you want to add the installation to the boot list, type Y and press Enter
  9. 5. Type exit and press Enter
  10. 6. Remove the USB drive and restart your computer

Why This Works:

These commands rebuild the master boot record, fix the boot sector, scan for Windows installations, and rebuild the boot configuration database. Each command repairs a different part of the boot process. Running all four ensures that every component of the boot system is repaired or rebuilt from scratch.

Fix #4: Perform an In-Place Repair Upgrade

If all the above methods fail, an in-place upgrade repairs Windows while keeping all your files, programs, and settings intact. This is a last resort before considering a full reinstall.

Steps:

  1. 1. Boot from the Windows install USB (follow steps 4-6 from Fix #2)
  2. 2. When Windows Setup appears, click "Install now"
  3. 3. When asked for a product key, click "I don't have a product key"
  4. 4. Select your Windows edition and click "Next"
  5. 5. Accept the license terms
  6. 6. Choose "Upgrade: Install Windows and keep files, settings, and applications"
  7. 7. Follow the prompts to complete the installation
  8. 8. Your computer will restart several times during the process

Important:

An in-place upgrade reinstalls Windows while preserving your personal files and most programs. However, it can take 1-2 hours to complete. Make sure your laptop is plugged in if doing this on a laptop. Some programs may need to be reinstalled after the upgrade, so have your software license keys handy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • ✗Don't skip the automatic repair option: Pressing F1 when prompted can save you hours of troubleshooting if it works.
  • ✗Don't use an old Windows USB: Always create a fresh installation USB with the latest Windows version from Microsoft's website.
  • ✗Don't choose "Custom install" during repair: This will erase your files. Always choose "Upgrade" to keep your data.
  • ✗Don't interrupt the bootrec commands: Let each command finish before running the next one, even if it seems stuck.

How to Prevent This Problem

  • ✓Always shut down Windows properly: Avoid forcing shutdowns by holding the power button unless absolutely necessary.
  • ✓Keep Windows up to date: Install cumulative updates when they're available to prevent boot issues from outdated files.
  • ✓Create system restore points: Before major updates, create a restore point so you can roll back if something goes wrong.
  • ✓Keep a Windows install USB ready: Having a bootable USB on hand makes fixing boot errors much faster.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What causes the blue screen error 0xc000000d?

Error 0xc000000d is caused by a corrupted boot configuration file (BCD) that Windows needs to start up. This usually happens after a Windows update fails to install properly, an unexpected power loss during an update, or when system files become corrupted. Sometimes it can also be caused by hardware issues like a failing hard drive, but software corruption is much more common.

Will fixing this error delete my files?

No, all the repair methods described in this guide are designed to fix the boot record without touching your personal files. Automatic repair, Startup Repair, and bootrec commands only fix system boot files. Even an in-place upgrade keeps all your files, programs, and settings. However, it's always smart to have backups of important files just in case.

How long does it take to fix error 0xc000000d?

If the automatic repair (pressing F1) works, the fix takes 5-15 minutes. Using Startup Repair from a USB drive takes 15-30 minutes. Running bootrec commands manually takes about 10 minutes. An in-place upgrade is the slowest option at 1-2 hours, but it's only needed if simpler fixes don't work.

What if none of these fixes work?

If all the above fixes fail, you might have a failing hard drive or SSD. Try running a hardware diagnostic test from your PC manufacturer's boot menu. If the drive is failing, you'll need to replace it and reinstall Windows. You can also try booting from a Linux live USB to access your files and back them up before attempting more drastic repairs.

Can I prevent this error from happening again?

The best prevention is to always shut down Windows properly and avoid interrupting Windows updates. Use a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) if you experience frequent power outages. Keep Windows updated with the latest cumulative patches. Create regular system image backups so you can restore quickly if boot problems occur.