Is your computer stuck in a boot loop with the error code 0xc0000225? Windows 10/11 users often face this error accompanied by a blue/black screen. A message like “Your PC/Device needs to be repaired” or “An unexpected error has occurred” is also displayed along with the error code.
If you’re also facing this problem and can’t boot your computer, don’t panic. In this guide, we’ll provide ten solutions to address all possible causes of the error code: 0xc0000225 in Windows 11/10. So you can fix it directly from the blue/black screen. We’ll also discuss what this error means and what could cause it. Keep reading!
Page Contents
Part 1: Overview of Error Code 0xc000225
Here’s a brief overview of the error 0xc0000225, stating what it is and the reasons it happens on Windows 10/11:
1.1. What Is Windows Error Code 0xc0000225?
The 0xc0000225 error on Windows 10/11 stops your computer from starting correctly, leading to a blue/black screen. It points to a booting problem, which means your system is facing an issue locating critical files, like the Boot Configuration Data (BCD). This file is crucial for Windows startup. Now, as you know what the error 0xc0000225 means, it could happen due to various reasons, which we’ve discussed in the section below:
1.2. Common Reasons Behind Error 0xc0000225
The Windows error code 0xc0000225 is more common in newer UEFI-based systems with GPT partitions than in older setups and happens due to the following reasons:
- Corrupted or missing BCD file.
- Sudden power outages or abrupt PC shutdown during critical updates.
- Malware or virus attacks.
- Hardware problems like faulty hard drives, BIOS misconfigurations, or loose cables.
- Recent changes to the system, like adding new software, hardware, or updates.
Part 2: Easiest Way to Fix Error Code 0xc0000225 on Windows 11/10
The easiest way to fix the error code 0xc0000225 Windows 11/10 is through a tool like 4DDiG Windows Boot Genius, which requires no effort on your part to use it. It offers a one-stop solution for fixing Windows boot errors, partition management, data backup from unbootable disks, and resetting local and domain passwords. Here are its features:
- Resolves black/blue/welcome/loading/restarting screen errors.
- Recover data from unbootable, corrupted & formatted disks and crashed systems.
- Resets the Windows product key and Administrator password.
- Create, manage, and format partitions.
- Successfully burn a bootable PE system on a storage drive.
Check out the steps below to use this tool to fix the error code 0xc0000225:
Step 1: Run the tool on another computer and insert a storage device in the computer. Click “Create Now” on the tool to start burning Windows.
Step 2: Wait for the tool to create a repair environment ISO on the drive. Ensure you’re connected to a working network. After successfully creating the boot disk, insert it into the non-booting computer.
Step 3: Start the computer, press the “Boot Menu” hot-key(s), navigate to the bootable media, and press “Enter” to select it as the boot drive.
Step 4: In the boot disk system, choose “Windows Rescue” and click “Automated repair.”
Step 5: Select the partition for repair and click “Start repair.” Wait for the automatic repair to finish, then restart your computer to check the results.
Part 3: Built-in Tools for Fixing Error 0xc0000225
Windows also comes with some built-in tools to automatically fix the 0xc0000225 error for free. Here are four tools you can use to resolve this issue from the blue/black screen:
3.1. Use Startup Repair
The built-in Startup Repair tool in Windows 10/11 is designed to scan and fix issues like corrupted or missing boot files, incorrect registry entries, and disk errors. You can use it to fix the minor problems causing the error code 0xc0000225 from the blue screen. Here’s how:
Step 1: Select “Troubleshoot” from “Choose an option” and click “Advanced options.”
Step 2: Hit “Startup Repair/Automatic Repair.” Windows will then start fixing issues preventing your system from loading.
3.2. System Restore
If you back up your Windows 10/11 regularly, you might have some restore points saved. Therefore, you can sort out the 0xc0000225 error using a system restore point. It will take your system back to a state before the boot issue occurs. Here’s what to do:
Step 1: From the “Choose an option” menu, head to “Troubleshoot,” select “Advanced options,” then pick “System Restore.”
Step 2: Hit “Next,” select your preferred restore point (or choose a different one using the date and time), and click “Finish.” Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system restore.
3.3. Perform a Virus Scan
Malware or viruses in your system might be causing the error 0xc0000225 during startup. To fix it, follow these steps for a quick antivirus scan on your Windows 10/11 and see if it resolves the problem:
Step 1: From the “Choose an option” menu, head to “Troubleshoot,” select “Advanced options,” then pick “Command Prompt.”
Step 2: Type in this code:
cd C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows Defender\Platform\4.18*
Here “4.18” means the version of your Windows Defender. One thing to note here is that you can only use this command for Windows Defender and not for any other antivirus software.
Step 3: After that, paste the command below and hit Enter:
MpCmdRun -Scan -ScanType1
Here “ScanType1” means a quick scan. You can also use “ScanType2” command for a full scan.
3.4. Disk Check and System File Check
As mentioned earlier, the corrupted system or disk files can lead to the Windows error code 0xc0000225. In such a case, you can use the built-in System File Checker (SFC) to perform a check on system files and disks. It will replace the corrupted files with their cached versions stored in the system. Here’s how to run it:
Step 1: From the “Choose an option” menu, head to “Troubleshoot,” select “Advanced options,” then pick “Command Prompt.”
Step 2: Paste the command below and hit Enter to run the System File Checker:
sfc /scannow
After that check, run a disk scan to look for drive errors with the following command:
chkdsk C: /F /R / x
Note that “C” represents the drive where Windows is installed. Once these scans are done, boot your computer and check if the error code 0xc0000225 Windows 11/10 persists. If the issue remains, move on to advanced solutions in the next section.
Part 4: Advance Solutions to Fix Windows Error Code 0xc0000225
The built-in tools in Windows 10/11 might not always be successful in fixing the error code: 0xc0000225. Therefore, you may have to roll up your sleeves and handle it manually. Here are five advanced solutions, but be warned, they need a bit of technical know-how to pull off:
4.1. Mark Partition as Active
Sometimes, the 0xc0000225 error shows up because the active partition isn’t set right or becomes inactive due to a glitch. Fortunately, you can use these steps to tweak the active partition to specify where the system should boot from. Here’s how:
Step 1: From the “Choose an option” menu, head to “Troubleshoot,” select “Advanced options,” then pick “Command Prompt.”
Step 2: Enter the commands one by one and hit Enter after each:
- diskpart
- list disk (Lists all recognized disks in Windows).
- select disk N (Replace N with your system disk’s number).
- list partition (Displays all partitions on the chosen disk).
- select partition X (Replace X with the number of your system partition).
- Active (Makes the selected partition the active one).
4.2. Rebuild BCD
The main reason for the error 0xc0000225 is a corrupted or missing Boot Configuration Data (BCD) file. To fix the booting problem, you can manually rebuild the BCD with the following instructions:
Step 1: From the “Choose an option” menu, head to “Troubleshoot,” select “Advanced options,” then pick “Command Prompt.
Step 2: Enter these commands one by one, hitting Enter after each:
- bootrec /scanos (Checks the hard drive for installed operating systems and creates entries for them in the BCD).
- bootrec /fixmbr (Fix corruption in the master boot record files.
- bootrec /fixboot (Writes a new boot sector to resolve corruption problems in Windows).
- bootrec /rebuildbcd (Addresses the BCD error).
Afterward, restart your computer and check if the error is gone.
4.3. Update Your BIOS or UEFI
BIOS or UEFI plays a crucial role in the proper functioning of Windows. That’s why it’s possible that any glitches in it could lead to the Windows error code 0xc0000225. If that’s the case, update your system’s BIOS or UEFI to the latest version to resolve the issue.
4.4. Edit the Windows Boot Manager
One way to fix the error code 0xc0000225 Windows 11/10 is by editing the Windows Boot Manager using the Command Prompt. This involves setting it as the default entry. Here’s what you need to do:
Step 1: From the “Choose an option” menu, head to “Troubleshoot,” select “Advanced options,” then pick “Command Prompt.”
Step 2: Run this command:
bcdedit/?
Step 3: Type in the following command and hit Enter afterward:
bcdedit/? default (This will set the default entry).
Step 4: Restart your PC and see if the 0xc0000225 error persists.
4.5. Reinstall Windows
If the error code: 0xc0000225 still bothers you during Windows 10/11 startup, think about reinstalling Windows. First, you’ll have to delete all data from your Windows and then reinstall the OS. Here’s how:
Step 1: From the “Choose an option” menu, pick “Troubleshoot.”
Step 2: Select “Advanced options,” hit “Reset this PC,” and choose “Remove everything” when prompted.
Step 3: Opt for “Cloud download” and hit the “Reset” button to reinstall your Windows PC.
Conclusion
The Windows error code 0xc0000225 is a booting problem that can happen due to a missing or corrupted boot file, malware, power outage, or glitchy updates. However, we’ve shared ten solutions to resolve these issues. Among them, 4DDiG Windows Boot Genius shines as the best and easiest method to fix the error 0xc0000225.
It not only addresses the Windows boot error but also provides data backup and restoration, even in non-booting scenarios. Moreover, this power tool offers partition management, password reset, and lost Windows product key recovery.