Did your PC suddenly refuse to boot and show the error code 0x0000225 on a black screen?
It’s a stressful moment—your system won’t start, and you may worry that your files are gone.
But take a deep breath: this error is common, fixable, and usually recoverable without losing your data.

This guide explains:

• What error 0x0000225 actually means
• Why it happens
• Step-by-step fixes—from beginner-friendly to advanced
• Extra tips for UEFI users, cloned drives, SSD upgrades, and more

Let’s bring your PC back to life.

💡 What Is Error Code 0x0000225?

Error 0x0000225 means:

Windows cannot find the system files needed to boot.

Most of the time, the issue is tied to the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)—a collection of files that tells Windows where and how to start.

If BCD becomes:

• Corrupted
• Missing
• Improperly updated
• Disconnected after cloning or partition changes

…Windows can’t complete the boot process.

This error does not necessarily mean your data is gone—it usually means the boot files just need to be repaired.

🔍 Common Causes of Error 0x0000225

These causes are usually fixable with recovery tools included in Windows.

🛠 Fix 1: Run Automatic Startup Repair (Easiest)

Why this works:
Windows includes a built-in repair tool that can automatically detect and patch common boot problems.

Steps

1. Force shut down your PC by holding the power button for 5–10 seconds.
2. Repeat this three times.
3. On the fourth boot, Windows should enter Recovery Mode automatically.
4. Select:
   Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Repair
5. Wait for the tool to scan and repair your system, then restart.

This method is safe and should always be your first attempt.

🧱 Fix 2: Rebuild the BCD (Most Effective)

If BCD is missing or damaged, rebuilding it usually solves the problem.

Steps

1. Boot from a Windows installation USB or recovery drive.
   (You can create one using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool.)
2. On the setup screen, click:
   Repair your computer → Troubleshoot → Command Prompt
3. Run these commands one by one:

bootrec /scanosbootrec /fixmbrbootrec /fixbootbootrec /rebuildbcd

If everything goes smoothly, restart and try booting normally.

❗ If you receive “Access is denied” at bootrec /fixboot

This is very common on UEFI systems. Use this alternative:

bcdboot c:\windows /s s: /f UEFI

Make sure your EFI partition has a drive letter (e.g., S:)
You can assign one using diskpart:

diskpartlist diskselect disk 0list volselect vol <EFI number>assign letter=sexit

Then re-run the bcdboot command.

This recreates the boot files from scratch and resolves most UEFI boot failures.

💽 Fix 3: Check the Disk for Errors (Important for HDD/SSD)

If your drive has bad sectors or logical corruption, Windows may not be able to read the boot files.

Steps

1. Open Command Prompt in Recovery Mode.
2. Run:

chkdsk c: /f /r

This performs:

• /f → fix file system errors
• /r → scan & attempt to recover bad sectors

⏳ Note: This may take a while, especially on older HDDs.

If serious drive corruption is found, back up your data as soon as the system boots again.

🔄 Fix 4: Use System Restore

If the issue began after:

• A driver update
• A major Windows update
• Software installation

…System Restore can quickly roll your system back to a working state.

Steps

1. In Recovery Mode, select System Restore.
2. Choose a restore point before the problem started.
3. Follow the prompts to complete the restore.

This restores system files and settings without deleting your personal data.

🧨 Fix 5: Clean Install Windows (Last Resort)

Use this only if all other fixes fail.

Steps

1. Boot from a Windows installation USB.
2. Select Install Now → Custom (Advanced).
3. Choose your Windows drive and continue.
4. Install Windows fresh.

⚠️ Back up important files first, if possible.

A clean install wipes corrupted system files and replaces them with clean, working versions.

📊 Summary Table

Try them in order—from safest to most advanced.

❓ FAQ

Q: I can’t access Recovery Mode. What now?

Try forcing Windows into recovery by:

1. Turning the PC off and on three times using the power button.
2. On the 4th attempt, Windows should show the Recovery screen.

If not:

• Create a bootable USB on another PC using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool
• Boot from it → Repair your computer

Q: “bootrec /fixboot” says Access is denied. How do I fix this?

Use:

bcdboot c:\windows /s s: /f UEFI

But first assign a drive letter to the EFI partition (diskpart → assign letter=s).

This method rebuilds boot files safely on modern UEFI systems.

🔍 Special Notes for Certain Scenarios

💡 For users who recently cloned their SSD/HDD:

Error 0x0000225 is very common after cloning, especially when:

• The EFI partition wasn’t copied properly
• The cloning tool created mismatched boot settings
• The new disk uses a different firmware mode (MBR vs. GPT)

Fix:
Use the bcdboot method above to regenerate boot files correctly.

💡 For users upgrading storage (NVMe → NVMe / SATA → NVMe)

Some SSDs require:

• Updated BIOS
• NVMe drivers
• Correct UEFI/Legacy settings

A wrong BIOS mode can cause 0x0000225 even if Windows files are intact.

💡 For users with failing drives

If chkdsk reports bad sectors:

• Back up your data ASAP
• Consider replacing the drive
• Rebuild Windows on the new drive

📝 Final Thoughts

Error 0x0000225 feels scary, but it’s usually fixable with the right approach.
Start with the safe fixes (Startup Repair), then rebuild the BCD if needed.
Only consider reinstalling Windows as a final step.

You’ve got this—take it slow, follow each step carefully, and your system will likely boot again.

🔗 Related Guides

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https://kimiyoya.com/windows-display-issues-fix/

▶︎ Fix Windows 11 Update KB5058411: Common Errors and Solutions
https://kimiyoya.com/kb5058411-update-error-fix-2/

▶︎ Windows Update Error 0x80073701 – Fixing Missing System Files
https://kimiyoya.com/windows-error-0x80073701-fix/

タグ: Windows error, 0x0000225, BCD repair, boot failure, Windows won't start, system recovery, boot error fix, startup repair