How to Fix Windows Boot Manager Error Code 0xc0000225

If you receive Error Code - 0xc0000225 when you turn on your Windows PC, this post will help you resolve it using multiple methods. The methods are easy to follow, but ensure you take backup. Once the error code 0xc0000225 is fixed, you can get back to working on your PC.

Error Code 0xc0000225 is a common Windows error that appears when you turn on your PC or laptop. It sometimes appears on a Blue screen with the "Your PC needs to be repaired" error message or sometimes with the "An unexpected error has occurred" error message on a black screen.

The 0xc0000225 error usually appears when the system faces issues in booting due to not finding the correct system files. Here we mean "BCD" by the "right system files," as it stores every information about your system and instructs it on how to boot correctly.

The worst part about this error code is that it doesn't allow you to enter it into your system. Thus, fixing the error code 0xc0000225 on your Windows PC becomes essential. So, let's move to the next section and know the causes of the 0xc0000225 error code.

Causes: Why Do You See the Error Code 0xc0000225?

The 0xc0000225 error code appears because of varied possible reasons. Below are all the possible reasons for the 0xc0000225 error on a Windows PC:

• 🔢Missing Binary: One of the most common reasons for the Boot Manager Error Code - 0xc0000225 is the missing or corrupted system files which help it boot properly.
• 📄Corrupt MBR: Corrupted MBR could also be the reason for getting the Boot Manager Error Code - 0xc0000225 when turning on the PC or laptop.
• 💽Hardware or Software Change: Boot Manager Error Code - 0xc0000225 also appears because of a recent hardware or software change.
• 😈Malware & Viruses: Malware and viruses are another possible cause of the 0xc0000225 error. This is because malware and viruses make wrong changes to the system settings, which increases the chances of getting the 0xc0000225 error.
• 💾Damaged Hard Drive Or Its Cable: One of the reasons for the 0xc0000225 error is the damaged hard drive or its cable. It can make the hard drive undetectable and shows the "A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed" message with an error code.

So these are the most common causes of the Windows 10 Boot Manager Error Code - 0xc0000225.

Let's now read ahead and look at how to resolve it in Windows 10.

How To Fix Windows Boot Manager Error Code 0xc0000225?

If you're experiencing the Boot Manager Error Code - 0xc0000225 on your Windows PC, fret not, as this section mentions the best fixes to fix it. So try them and fix the 0xc0000225 error code:

Fix 1. Check Your Hard Drive

One of the most common causes of the 0xc0000225 error code in Windows 10 is the faults in the hard drive. So, we suggest you ensure your hard drive isn't damaged.

Also, make sure that it's properly connected to your system. If everything is in place and the computer is still not booting, consider resetting it.

Fix 2. Run the Built-In Startup Repair Tool

The most straightforward workaround to fix the 0xc0000225 error code in Windows 10 is to run the integrated Startup Repair tool. The Startup Repair tool will find problems with the system files that help it boot properly and resolve them with automatic troubleshooting.

So follow the below-mentioned steps to run this tool on your system:

Step 1. Insert the Windows 10 bootable installation device into your system and restart it.

Step 2. On the next screen, select the correct language, time zone, input method, etc.

Step 3. Click on "Next", and then click on the "Repair your computer" option.

Step 4. Click on the "Troubleshoot" option on the "Choose an option" screen.

Step 5. Select "Advanced options" on the "Troubleshoot" screen.

Step 6. Click the "Automatic/Startup Repair" button to start the troubleshooting program on the "Advanced" options screen.

Step 7. Enter your currently signed-in account password in the present box and click "Continue".

Step 8. You need to follow now the prompts mentioned on the screen to continue troubleshooting to fix the issue.

Fix 3. Run Virus Scan

Malware and viruses in the system could also be the reason for getting the 0xc0000225 error while booting into the system. Thus, try the following the below-mentioned steps to run a quick antivirus scan on your Windows system and check if it fixes the issue:

Step 1. Follow Steps 1 - 5 in Fix 1 to move to the Advanced options section.

Step 2. Click on "Command Prompt" to open Command Prompt and run the below code in it:

cd C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\4.18*

Step 3. Once done, copy-paste the below-mentioned command in it and press the Enter key:

MpCmdRun -Scan -ScanType1

Step 4. You'll now see that the quick virus scan has started on your system and is finding malicious files.

Fix 4. Use SFC to Check the System File and Disk

The 0xc0000225 error code also appears because of missing or corrupted system files. Thus, we suggest you run an SFC scan on your computer to repair all the corrupted system files by replacing them with their cached version stored in the system.

You can check the below-mentioned prompts to learn how to run an SFC scan on Windows:

Step 1. Follow Steps 1 - 5 in Fix 1 to go to the Advanced options section of Windows Recovery Environment.

Step 2. Select the Command Prompt option on the Advanced options screen to open the console.

Step 3. Once the console is opened, copy-paste the below command into it and press the Enter key:

sfc /scannow

Step 4. Once you execute the above command in it, the SFC scan will start and take a few minutes to complete. So wait a few minutes for the scan to finish.

Step 5. If the 0xc0000225 error doesn't appear again, it's good. If it's still there, proceed to the Advanced options section of the Windows Recovery Environment and try running the chkdsk c:/f command to scan your drive for file system errors.

The other 5 fixes are as follows:

Fix 5. Manually Repairing the BCD File

Fix 6. Use Command Prompt To Resolve the Error Code

Fix 7. Edit the Windows Boot Manager

Fix 8. Update Your BIOS or UEFI

Fix 9. Perform a Clean Reinstall of Windows

Let us learn more ways to fix the error code 0xc0000225. What's more, don't forget to mark this passage by sharing it on Facebook, Twitter, or SNS.

Fix 5. Manually Repairing the BCD File

The 0xc0000225 error usually appears when there's an issue with the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file. Either it's missing or corrupted. Keeping this in mind, we suggest you rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD), as doing so will eliminate all its issues.

It's pretty easy to do it, and the below-mentioned instructions explain the same with ease:

Step 1. Follow Steps 1 - 5 in Fix 1 to move to the Advanced options section of the WinRE.

Step 2. Select Command Prompt to open the console and execute the below-listed commands in it:

1. bootrec /scans
2. bootrec /fixmbr
3. bootrec /fixboot
4. bootrec /rebuildbcd

Step 3. You'll now see that the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file repairing process has started.

Fix 6. Use Command Prompt To Resolve the Error Code

There's a possibility that the correct partition on which Windows is installed isn't selected properly, due to which the system cannot boot correctly and shows the 0xc0000225 error code.

Considering this, we suggest you ensure that the partition on which Windows is installed is active. You can follow the below-listed steps to do the same:

Step 1. Open Command Prompt on your system and run the below commands in it:

1. diskpart
2. list disk

Step 2. You'll now see a list of all your system drives in the Command Prompt utility. Select the disk on which Windows is installed on your hard drive by running the below command:

1. select disk X
2. list partition

Step 3. Select the primary partition by executing the below-mentioned command. Make sure to replace "X" in the command with your primary drive and then press Enter.

select partition X

Step 4. Once selected, type active in it and press Enter to make the partition active.

Fix 7. Edit the Windows Boot Manager

One of the possible methods to resolve Windows 10's Boot Manager Error Code - 0xc0000225 is to edit the Windows Boot Manager using the Command Prompt utility. This will set it as the default entry and fix the issue.

Follow the below prompts to know what exactly you need to fix this BSOD error:

Step 1. Open the Command Prompt utility in WinRE and run the below-listed command in it:

bcdedit/?

Step 2. Execute the bcdedit/? default command in the console to set the default entry.

Step 3. Restart your PC and check whether the Boot Manager Error Code - 0xc0000225 still appears.

Fix 8. Update Your BIOS or UEFI

As BIOS or UEFI is an essential part of Windows and contributes to the system's proper functioning, it could be possible that it has some bugs and glitches causing this issue. In that case, we suggest you update your system's BIOS or UEFI to the latest build and fix them.

You can find the same steps in your system's hardware manual. If you don't find the steps in the hardware manual, find the steps on your brand's website.

Fix 9. Perform a Clean Reinstall of Windows

If the 0xc0000225 error code still occurs while booting into your Windows 10 system, you can consider reinstalling your Windows. You must first delete all the data from your device and then reinstall the OS. Hopefully, doing so will fix the error.

So try the below-mentioned instructions to clean and reinstall your Windows PC:

Step 1. Click the "Reset this PC" option on the Troubleshoot screen for additional options.

Step 2. Click on the "Remove Everything" option in the "Choose an option" prompt.

Step 3. Click on the "Cloud download" option and then the "Reset" button to reset your Windows PC.

How to Recover Data When Fixing Error 0xc0000225

In some situations, you may be unable to fix the error code, which will only mean replacing the storage or reinstalling Windows. In both cases, you will lose any data available on the drive.

It is recommended to have data recovery software in the list of software you own. Not only it comes in handy to accidentally deleted data, but in emergencies like this, it can help you recover data back, which otherwise would take a lot of time to recreate.

EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard is a professional data recovery software that can recover data that you may have deleted a long time ago. You can restore lost data from various scenarios. These include deleting, partition loss, formatting, repartition, system crash, virus attack, etc.

Here is the list of features:

• It helps to restore deleted files faster when the system cannot boot.
• Create bootable media to make the existing operating system boot
• It helps to recover data from formatted deleted or corrupted partition
• Preview files before recovery.
• Recover lost photos, videos, music files, documents, and other files from a hard drive, SSD, USB flash drive, or pen drive
• User-friendly interface that makes it easy for even novice users to recover their files.

Download and follow the step-by-step guide below.

Note: To guarantee a high data recovery chance, install EaseUS data recovery software on another disk instead of the original disk where you lost files. 

Step 1. Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard on your Windows 11, Windows 10, Windows 8, or Windows 7 computer. Select the disk partition or storage location where you lost data and click "Search for Lost Data".

Step 2. This recovery software will start scanning the disk to find all lost and deleted files. When the scan process completes, click "Filter" > "Type" to specify lost file types. If you remember the file name, you can also search in the search box, which is the fastest way to find the target file.

Step 3. Preview and restore lost Windows files. You can double-click to preview the scanned files. Then, select the target data and click the "Recover" button to save them to another safe spot in the PC or Cloud drive.

The Bottom Line

No doubt, the 0xc0000225 error is one of the most irritating errors. But luckily, it can be fixed with some simple troubleshooting methods. Thus, in this detailed tutorial, we shared 11 working workarounds to fix the Boot Manager Error Code - 0xc0000225 issue in Windows 10.

We hope the mentioned workarounds helped you eliminate this issue with ease. If yes, don't forget to let us know which of the mentioned fixes assisted you.

Windows Boot Manager Error Code 0xc0000225 FAQs

People get a lot of questions about the Boot Manager Error - 0xc0000225. Thus, in this section, we've answered the most commonly asked questions about it.

1. What Does Error 0xc0000225 in Windows 10 Mean?

The 0xc0000225 error in Windows 10 means the system is facing issues in finding the right system files that help it boot, and one such example is the BCD file.

2. What Is Error Code 0xc0000225 Safe Mode?

The 0xc0000225 error code on the Blue screen usually appears when the system's BCD file gets corrupted or goes missing. Fortunately, it can be fixed by running a few commands in Command Prompt.

3. What Is Error Code 0xc0000225 a Required Device Isn't Connected?

The 0xc0000225 error with the "Required Device Isn't Connected" error message means there's something wrong with the boot configuration. Some other reasons are inaccessible Winload.exe files, damaged OS disk, wrong selected partition, etc.

4. How Do I Fix Safe Mode Error?

If your system cannot go into Safe mode, try returning to an earlier restore point using the System Restore functionality. If this also doesn't fix the issue, consider installing Windows 10 again clean.