One of the bad starts of the day is when you start up your Windows 10 PC and you get a missing NTLDR error. That leaves you confused with the questions. What is the ‘NTLDR missing’ error? Why does Windows 10 require pressing Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart your computer?
In this post, we will tell you more about the error, why it occurs, and how to resolve it. After troubleshooting, you should see your familiar desktop wallpaper on your desktop instead of some weird black screen.
Let’s get started.
What is the missing NTLDR error
NTLDR stands for NT Loader, also a bootloader, usually located in the main HDD/SSD. It is responsible for starting all Windows NT OS, including Windows 10. Hence the name and initials.
It consists of three main files:
- NTLDR, the main boot loader file.
- COM (also sometimes referred to as NTDETECT.COM) detects the hardware required to start an NT-based OS like Windows 10.
- boot.ini contains system configuration details.
‘Missing NTLDR’ is not the only error you may encounter when dealing with this problem. Here are three common errors that users see:
- Missing NTLDR Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart.
- Missing NTLDR Press any key to restart.
- Boot: Cannot find NTLDR Please insert another disk.
The ‘NTLDR is missing’ error appears when during the boot process, the system cannot read/write data to any of these three important files, which are very important for starting the Windows OS. The reasons may vary due to configuration error, hard drive/SSD failure, etc. The following solutions should work in all three conditions.
1. Restart the computer
Try restarting your computer once to check if it works. Press the Ctrl+Alt+Del keys to reboot, and if that doesn’t work, press and hold the power button until the system shuts down. Press it again to launch.
2. Unplug all accessories
Remove all external accessories and peripherals that you don’t need to start the computer, except the keyboard and mouse. If you’re using a laptop, remove both the mouse and the keyboard. Some accessories may interfere with start-up. You can always connect them later. External hard disks, pen drives, and CDs, especially since the system may be trying to load from an external drive where there is no boot file. Restart again. Removing the external drives will force it to look at the main drive where it will find the NTLDR and boot correctly.
3. BIOS Boot Order
If you can’t remove the external drives or removing them doesn’t work, you can change the boot order from BIOS/UEFI. Here is a good video on how to do that.
Use the arrow keys to go to System Configuration > Boot Options (keyboard instructions at the bottom of the BIOS/UEFI screen). Make sure that the main drive containing the NT Loader files, where you installed your Windows Operating System, is at the top of the priority list. Your computer should boot from the primary drive now, not the secondary drive.
Restart your computer and check again if you get the missing NTLDR error.
4. Fix Windows startup errors
We recommend performing boot repair using a flash drive or bootable disk. Download the official Windows 10 ISO and convert the flash drive into a bootable drive using the Windows USB/DVD Download Tool. Of course, you’ll need another computer to do that. Follow point 3 above to change the boot order again. However, this time choose the flash drive as the top priority.
Restart your computer and press the F8 key repeatedly before you see the Windows logo. You will see the Boot Menu where you will select the option to Repair your computer under Advanced Boot Options and press the Enter key. If you see the Windows logo or ‘NTLDR missing’ error instead, turn it off and try again. That might take a few tries, but you’ll get it in the end.
You will be asked to choose a language and input method and may then have to enter your username and password. Select Startup Repair under Troubleshooting > Advanced options. Follow the on-screen instructions afterwards.
Click Finish and restart your computer to check if you still receive the missing NTLDR error.
5. Using Recovery Drive
Have you ever created a recovery drive? If the answer is yes, then you can use it to restore or reinstall Windows 10 on your computer. Note that reinstalling Windows 10 will restore everything to the way it was when you first bought your computer or installed Windows 10 OS on it. That means you will lose all your data, apps and personalized settings on it.
That’s why you should try System Restore first. What that will do is go back in time when your computer was in a working state and restore everything as it was. Your personal files are not affected, but it will delete all recently installed apps. You will see both of these options when entering the Windows Recovery Environment.
If you see an option to Keep my files during the reinstallation, select it to save your files and other important data. You will still lose apps and other settings. Your Microsoft account settings will re-sync if you’re using one.
6. Using Installation Media
As mentioned in solution 3 above, you can create a fresh copy of your Windows 10 bootable USB as a rescue disk. You can also use it to restore or reinstall Windows 10 if you forgot to create a recovery drive.
Download the media creation tool and double click it to run it. Select Create installation media for another PC when asked to create one and follow the on-screen instructions. At this point, I’m assuming you’re using another computer to create the Windows 10 installation USB drive.
Now, insert the Windows 10 bootable flash drive into the computer that is giving the ‘NTLDR is missing’ error and boot from there. If you haven’t already, change the boot order as in point 3 above. Follow the on-screen instructions then select Repair your computer > Troubleshoot. Here you can also restore your computer to an earlier point in time or reinstall Windows from scratch using the installation media.
Repair, restore, reinstall
These are your options when simple troubleshooting steps like removing accessories and checking wires and cables or starting order aren’t working. You can do any depending on whether you have backed up your data and application settings. All three options are available in the Windows Recovery Environment. You just have to figure out how to get there, which will depend on your particular situation.
Next: Here is a list of 7 cool screen recording apps for Windows 10 that you must try. Why? So you can record what’s happening on your screen, the error or error, and what you’ve tried with your friends or support staff.
Categories: How to
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
