0xc0000185 is a relatively common error that can emerge upon the boot of the Windows system. This can happen particularly once a system reboot is done.
Basically, error code 0xc0000185 appears in the form of a BSOD (Blue Screen of Death). This message also says, “Your PC needs to be repaired,” and that’s pretty frustrating.
The above error message may come with additional information as well. It may say, “The Boot Configuration Data for your PC boot is missing or contains errors.” More often than not, this specific message appears with error code 0xc0000185.
So, it does mean that this error is related to (BCD) Boot Configuration Data. It can emerge when the data is entirely missing, or some crucial information might have been corrupted. As a result, the system will not be able to load properly.
So, you will have to perform some repairs to address this issue. The very purpose of this article is to explain those solutions to fix error code 0xc0000185.
Reasons Behind Error Code 0xc0000185
Well, the reason behind the 0xc0000185 error is a corrupted essential file that relates to the Windows boot function. As you may know, the files in your system can get damaged by hardware failure, malware infection, etc.
So, knowing how to fix this issue is exceptionally important for any Windows user. The good news is that some practical fixes address this issue. Let’s go ahead and learn these fixes.
PS: if you are facing issues like There was a problem resetting your PC, here are the top solutions for you.
Best Ways to Fix the Error Code 0xc0000185
01. Restart Your PC
To fix the error code 0xc0000185, try restarting your computer. It is true that restarting the PC is not the most effective solution to fix this error. However, it is always worth trying this method because it doesn’t cause any harm.
Also, if the cause is a minor one, rebooting can help you avoid other advanced options. After all, restarting doesn’t take long; you can do it in a minute or two.
Besides, let’s figure out how to fix the cannot open volume for direct access error with ease.
02. Use an Installation Media to Rebuild BCD
What can you do if your computer is unable to boot normally? In that case, you can attempt to repair the 0xc0000185 error simply by rebuilding the Boot Configuration Data.
To do that, however, you should get the help of an installation media disk. It is not that difficult to rebuild the Boot Configuration Data using the installation media disk.
The steps for rebuilding Boot Configuration Data are as follows.
- First, you should insert the respective installation media into your computer. Then, you should boot it up. Then, to continue, click Next.
- After that, you will see the “Install Now” window. Then, select “Repair your computer.”
- Now, choose the option called “Troubleshoot” to proceed.
- When you see “Advanced options,” select Command Prompt.
- Enter the following commands and hit enter after each line.
- bootrec /fixmbr
- bootrec /fixboot
- bootrec /scanos
- bootrec /rebuildbcd
03. Format the Faulty Hard Drive to Fix Error Code 0xc0000185
What if the error persists after the previous solutions? Don’t worry. There are other fixes as well.
To fix the error code 0xc0000185, you can try a hard drive format and then reinstall Windows. In general, you can format a hard drive using Windows installation media.
However, the truth is that it may be unable to format and fix a partition error. If that’s the case, you can rely on a tool like MiniTool Partition Wizard.
In simplest terms, MiniTool Partition Wizard is a fantastic tool that comes with plenty of useful features. For instance, it comprises;
- Partition Recovery
- Wipe Disk
- Migrate OS to SSD/HD Wizard
- Surface Test
This specific tool makes it simple and safe, so it is convenient to manage your partitions and hard drives.
When your computer fails to start, you can format it using a bootable CD/DVD/USB flash drive created with this software. Please note that Bootable Media Builder doesn’t come with the free edition of the MiniTool Partition Wizard.
So, to make it a possibility, it is compulsory to purchase MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro or Ultimate Edition.
Restart the faulty computer and boot it with bootable media created using MiniTool Partition Wizard. To do that, you should set it as the first boot option from BIOS settings.
The MiniTool PE Loader interface will then be visible. After that, you can format your drive with the following steps.
Important: Before formatting the hard drive, you are supposed to back up its important data. Otherwise, once you have completed the formatting process, all of your files will be permanently gone from your computer.
In MiniTool Partition Wizard, Follow these Steps to Format a Hard Drive.
- First, launch MiniTool Partition Wizard Ultimate Edition to begin the process. Then, on its main interface, navigate to the main menu. Select the hard drive you intend to fix. After that, select the Format Partition option.
- Now, you should define a partition label and a file system for the partition. Then, you should click OK to finish the process.
- Finally, to complete the pending operation, click the Apply button.
04. Run the CHKDSK Utility to Fix Error Code 0xc0000185
CHKDSK is a command or a utility command that displays the hard disk’s status report. Any errors found in the respective hard disk can be corrected using this specific command (the utility). Computers must come with an Autochk.exe file on their OS so they can run CHKDSK.
To Fix the Boot Configuration Data Error Code 0xc0000185, Follow these Steps to Run CHKDSK.
- In the search box, you should type CMD. After that, you should select Command Prompt from the results. Once you have right-clicked on the “Command Prompt,” just choose Run as administrator.
- Now, you should hit the “Enter” key after keying in the command chkdsk /r. Now, Windows will perform a scan on the hard drive to correct any potential errors it finds. After that, you can restart your computer and see if the 0xc0000185 problem has been resolved.
05. Perform a System Restore
Those who wonder about the best solutions to fix error code 0xc0000185 should consider this solution as well. You can fix the boot configuration data that is missing from the system with a System Restore.
In this case, you should use a bootable CD/DVD/USB drive to access the WinRE page. You are supposed to select the System Restore option after entering the Advanced options page. That will probably fix the error code 0xc0000185.
06. Delete All the Applications that were Installed Recently
Incompatible applications and programs can occasionally cause error code 0xc0000185 in your Windows system.
With that said, has the error code 0xc0000185 appeared right after the installation of the new software? If yes, you can uninstall it and see if the problem persists.
It is absolutely simple to delete the software. However, you are supposed to make sure that it is not regenerated after you delete it.
So, it is inevitable to choose a method for permanently deleting it and avoid this scenario. Well, for example, you can delete the installation package manually or forcefully.
07. Perform a Physical Inspection on Your Hardware
If you experience error code 0xc0000185 on your PC, you can disconnect all the other external devices connected. Then, check if that fixes the issue. Well, this is a pretty basic method that can fix 0xc0000185.
This type of error warning can be caused by a minor issue with the system connection. So, it is inevitable that system components such as expansion cards, power supplies, and memory be installed properly.
Important: Please note that this method is applicable to PC users only.
08. Reinstall Windows to Fix Error Code 0xc0000185
0xc0000185 error can be fixed by reinstalling Windows on your computer. To restore, reset, or reinstall Windows, you are supposed to use an installation media disk. Also, to avoid potential data loss, you should make a backup before reinstalling Windows.
To do that, you will need a tool like MiniTool Partition Wizard Pro Edition or a higher edition. You can create a backup with ease using this software. Enter the MiniTool PE Loader page simply by rebooting your computer with a bootable drive.
MiniTool Partition can easily create a bootable drive. After that, you can use MiniTool Partition Wizard’s Copy Disk feature and create a backup of your data.
Please note that the free edition of MiniTool Partition Wizard doesn’t let you create bootable media.
09. Run a Disk Cleanup to Fix Error Code 0xc0000185
Your computer tends to save many temporary files when you browse the internet on it. They quickly become obsolete files, leading to various problems, including error code 0xc0000185.
If that is the case, you can perform a disk cleanup utility and get rid of those unwanted files. It is impossible to access the Desktop because your computer has a problem that needs to be fixed. Nevertheless, things can be different if you enter Safe Mode, and you can find some fixes.
To Fix the Error 0xc0000185, Boot into Safe Mode and then Follow the Steps Below.
- In the search box, simply enter the text “disk cleanup.” After that, you should select Disk Cleanup from the list of search results to proceed.
- Now, a new window will appear on the page. That will display the entire amount of space the Disk Cleanup process can gain back. By unchecking the boxes next to the files, you can pick and choose which ones to delete. Once you have done that, you can complete the process and click OK to finish it.
The above methods will get you out of the situation and eliminate the 0xc0000185 error.
FAQ
What exactly is error code 0xc0000185?
The 0xc0000185 error is a unique code that represents an error related to your computer. In addition to that, it comprises other error information, including the blue screen.
Anyway, error code 0xc0000185 is directly related to BCD (Boot Configuration Data). Basically, solving this issue is pretty simple.
Will I lose all my data due to a 0xc0000185 error?
Most probably not. However, you should handle the problem smartly to avoid worsening it. For instance, you can try the most basic fixes first and see if the PC works.
If it works, you should immediately create a backup. If not, you should create a backup of your data using the tool we introduced (MiniTool). Anyway, frequent backup of your PC is recommended to avoid data losses.
What are the fixes to overcome 0xc0000185?
Mentioned below are some of the fixes you can use to overcome the 0xc0000185 error.
- Restart the faulty PC
- Rebuild your BCD using an installation media disk
- Perform a format on your HDD
- Use CHKDSK utility
- Perform a system restore
- Check for incompatible or corrupted software applications
- Perform a restart
- Run the disk cleanup utility to fix error code 0xc0000185
Are there any software tools available to automatically fix the 0xc0000185 error?
There are various software tools available online that claim to fix this error automatically. However, exercise caution when using such tools, as they may not always deliver the desired results and can potentially cause more harm than good.
What should I do if the error persists even after following all the solutions?
If you have tried all the solutions mentioned in this article and the error persists, it is advisable to consult with a professional technician who can diagnose the issue accurately and provide personalized solutions.
The Bottom Line
In this article, you were able to find all of the methods used to fix the 0xc0000185 error. So, those who want to know how to fix the error code 0xc0000185 should try these fixes.
Even though the error might sound pretty drastic, it can be solved with minimal effort. So, you shouldn’t panic at all if you come across this error.
Instead, please take a deep breath and try our fixes one by one. Do not forget to create a backup of your precious data before trying any serious fixes.
Also, if you know other methods to fix this issue, please let us know. We can share them with our readers.
