INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE (0x0000007B): Windows Blue Screen Fix

Quick answer

The Windows stop code INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE (0x0000007B) means: Windows lost access to the system drive during startup. This code often points to hardware, disk or startup problems. Back up important files as soon as you can and follow the steps below; if it keeps returning, have the PC checked.

Before you start: note the stop code shown on the blue screen. If Windows will not start normally, it usually opens Automatic Repair after two failed starts; from there choose Advanced options to reach Safe Mode or System Restore.

Is it serious? Can I keep using my PC?

Severity: High

This code often points to hardware, disk or startup problems. Back up important files as soon as you can and follow the steps below; if it keeps returning, have the PC checked.

Common causes

Storage controller setting changed (AHCI/RAID) or missing storage driver
Recent Windows or driver update
Failing or corrupted disk or SSD

How to fix it

Restart the PC. If the blue screen happened only once and does not return, no further action is usually needed
Make sure the BIOS storage mode (AHCI/RAID/VMD) was not changed and the storage driver is installed
Start Windows in Safe Mode (Advanced startup) and troubleshoot from there
Use System Restore or uninstall the latest Windows update from Advanced startup
Check the disk with "chkdsk C: /f" and check the drive's health

Frequently asked questions

What does INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE mean?

The Windows stop code INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE (0x0000007B) means: Windows lost access to the system drive during startup.

Is INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE serious?

Severity: High. This code often points to hardware, disk or startup problems. Back up important files as soon as you can and follow the steps below; if it keeps returning, have the PC checked.

How do I fix INACCESSIBLE_BOOT_DEVICE?

Start with these steps: Restart the PC. If the blue screen happened only once and does not return, no further action is usually needed; Make sure the BIOS storage mode (AHCI/RAID/VMD) was not changed and the storage driver is installed; Start Windows in Safe Mode (Advanced startup) and troubleshoot from there; Use System Restore or uninstall the latest Windows update from Advanced startup; Check the disk with "chkdsk C: /f" and check the drive's health.

Related codes

0xED UNMOUNTABLE_BOOT_VOLUMEWindows could not mount the startup drive.0xEF CRITICAL_PROCESS_DIEDA process that Windows needs to run stopped unexpectedly.0x19 BAD_POOL_HEADERThe memory pool used by Windows has become corrupted, usually by a faulty driver.0x1A MEMORY_MANAGEMENTA serious memory management error occurred, often caused by faulty RAM or a driver.0x24 NTFS_FILE_SYSTEMA problem occurred in the NTFS file system driver, usually because of disk or file system corruption.0x50 PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGED_AREAWindows tried to use memory that does not exist or is not available, often due to a driver, security software or faulty RAM.0x74 BAD_SYSTEM_CONFIG_INFOThere is an error in the Windows registry configuration.0x77 KERNEL_STACK_INPAGE_ERRORWindows could not read kernel data from the page file into memory, usually because of a disk problem or faulty RAM.0x7A KERNEL_DATA_INPAGE_ERRORWindows could not read a page of kernel data into memory, usually because of a disk, cable or RAM problem.