If you’re seeing the dreaded “Unmountable Boot Volume” error on a blue screen, you’re facing a serious issue that prevents Windows 10 from loading properly. This error typically points to a problem with the boot volume — the partition of your hard drive that contains essential startup files and the Windows operating system itself. When it becomes inaccessible, your PC can’t boot into Windows and instead displays a Blue Screen of Death (BSoD).
While BSoD errors are notorious for being difficult to diagnose, don’t panic — this particular issue is fixable, and we’re here to walk you through it step by step.
What Causes the “Unmountable Boot Volume” Error?
This error can appear suddenly and often without any warning. Common causes include:
- Corrupted system files or a failed Windows update.
- Damaged hard drive sectors or hardware issues.
- Incorrect BIOS settings or boot configurations.
- File system integrity issues, especially after improper shutdowns or power failures.
Although Windows 10 presents a more user-friendly BSoD screen — complete with a sad face emoji — the situation is still critical. Not being able to access your desktop means you also can’t use built-in tools like System Restore or Safe Mode in the usual way.
However, the good news is that with the right approach, you can repair the unbootable volume and get your PC working again. Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or a beginner, we’ve got simple, reliable solutions for you.
How to Fix the “Unmountable Boot Volume” Error on Windows 10/11
Now that we’ve explored the common causes of the Unmountable Boot Volume error, it’s time to dive into the solutions. While this Blue Screen issue can feel overwhelming, there are several methods you can use to get your system back up and running. With patience and the right approach, you can fix the problem and regain access to your PC.
Let’s start with the simplest fix and move on to more advanced solutions.
Method 1: Reboot Your Computer
Yes — sometimes it’s really that simple.
A basic restart can occasionally resolve the error if it was caused by a temporary glitch. Windows 10 is designed to detect and repair minor startup issues automatically. So, before jumping into more complex fixes, give your system a chance to correct itself.
Steps:
- Press & hold the Power button until your PC turns off.
- Wait a few seconds then turn it back on.
- Observe if the system loads properly or if the error reappears.
If the “Unmountable Boot Volume” error persists after rebooting, don’t worry — continue with the next methods to tackle deeper issues.
Method 2: Use Automatic Repair
If a simple restart didn’t work, your next step should be to run the Automatic Repair tool. This utility is part of the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and is specifically designed to fix startup issues like the Unmountable Boot Volume error.
To access this tool, you’ll need a Windows 10 installation DVD or bootable USB drive. Don’t worry — you’re not reinstalling Windows. You’re just accessing the built-in troubleshooting tools.
Steps:
- Insert your Windows 10 DVD or USB bootable drive, then start restarting your PC.
- When prompted press any key to boot from the media.
- On the Windows Setup screen, click Next, then choose Repair your computer in the bottom-left corner.
- Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair.
5. Wait for the process to complete and restart your device.
The Startup Repair tool will scan for and fix issues that prevent Windows from loading properly. If successful, you’ll be back in your system without the BSoD in no time.
Method 3: Fix the Master Boot Record
If you’re still facing the Unmountable Boot Volume error, your Master Boot Record (MBR) might be corrupted. The MBR is a critical part of your hard drive responsible for loading your operating system. Restoring it can often fix boot issues like this.
You’ll need a Windows 10 installation DVD or USB drive for this process — just like with Automatic Repair.
Steps:
- Boot your computer using your Windows 10 install media.
- When you reach the Windows Setup screen, click Next, then choose Repair your computer.
- Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options, and then select Command Prompt.
- Once the Command Prompt loads, type the following commands one at a time, pressing Enter after each:
bootrec /fixmbrbootrec /fixbootbootrec /rebuildbcd
- After all commands have been executed successfully, type
exitand press Enter to close the Command Prompt. - Restart your computer and check if Windows now boots correctly.
This method rebuilds the boot configuration and restores essential files needed for your system to load, which can resolve the BSOD issue.
Method 4: Run the Chkdsk Command
The Chkdsk (Check Disk) command is a built-in Windows tool that scans your hard drive for errors and attempts to fix them. If the “Unmountable boot volume” error is caused by bad sectors or file system corruption, running this command might help.
Follow these steps:
- Boot your computer using your Windows 10 install media (DVD or USB).
2. Once the setup screen appears, click on “Repair your computer” and choose “Troubleshoot”.
3. From the advanced options, select “Command Prompt”.
4. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command then press Enter: chkdsk /r c:
5. Allow the Chkdsk utility to scan and attempt to repair your drive. This process may take some time, depending on your hard drive’s size and condition.
6. If prompted to schedule a scan on the next reboot, type Y then press Enter.
7. Once the scan is complete, restart your device and check if the error is fixed.
Method 5: Run the System File Checker (SFC)
The System File Checker (SFC) tool is a Windows utility that scans for and restores corrupted system files. Running this tool can help resolve the “Unmountable boot volume” issue if it’s related to corrupted system files.
Follow these steps:
- Boot your computer using Windows 10 install media (DVD or USB).
- Once the Windows Setup screen appears, click on “Repair your computer” and select “Troubleshoot”.
- Choose “Command Prompt” from the advanced options.
- In the Command Prompt window, type the following command then press Enter:
sfc /scannow - Wait for the System File Checker to finish scanning and fixing any corrupted files.
- After the process is complete, test if your computer starts up correctly.
Method 6: Reinstall Windows 10
If none of the previous methods worked, a Windows 10 reinstall can be a final solution. This will effectively resolve the “Unmountable boot volume” error, assuming there are no severe hardware issues.
Follow these steps:
- Start your computer using Windows 10 install media (DVD or USB).
- On the Windows Setup screen, select your preferred language then click “Install now”.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to reinstall Windows 10.
- After the installation, check if the system functions correctly.
Conclusion
The “Unmountable boot volume” error can be frustrating, but there are several methods available to resolve it. From simple fixes like rebooting your computer to more advanced solutions such as using Automatic Repair, System File Checker (SFC), and Command Prompt tools like bootrec and chkdsk, these steps offer multiple ways to troubleshoot and fix the issue.
If these methods don’t work, reinstalling Windows 10 is a reliable last resort. However, always remember to back up your data regularly to prevent any loss in case of critical errors.
By following the solutions outlined above, you should be able to overcome the “Unmountable boot volume” error and restore your system back to normal, ensuring smooth access to your computer once again.
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