How to Fix Error Code 0xc0000185 in Windows?

Many Windows users have recently reported encountering an unexpected 0xc0000185 error screen after booting their PCs. This BSoD error also occurs sometimes after a system reboots following a crash.

The error prevents the computer from booting up properly due to damaged/corrupted or missing BCD or Boot Configuration Data.

The 0xc0000185 error also occurs due to a missing device required for booting. It isn’t quite severe in some cases, causing only minor instabilities.

What Causes the 0xc0000185 Error?

To solve a problem, we must first understand its possible triggers. The 0xc0000185 error code destabilizes a Windows PC and causes many issues for the users. Let’s see some possible reasons behind the 0xc0000185 error on a Windows PC –

• Corrupt system files
• Missing product key
• Corrupt BCD or Boot Configuration Data
• Damaged native storage drive
• Incorrect boot configuration

Methods to Fix the 0xc0000185 Error Code

The 0xc0000185 error on a Windows PC is a sign of corrupt installation files or damaged Windows OS files. The error might seem difficult to resolve, but you can easily fix it with the right methods at your disposal. Read further to learn various methods to fix the 0xc0000185 error.

Basic Method –

Before jumping on the advanced methods, reboot the PC and see if this fixes the 0xc0000185 error code. Rebooting a PC helps eliminate minor bugs and refresh the system memory. If doing this doesn’t help, move to the advanced methods.

Method 1: Change the Boot Order

If you have accidentally selected an external storage drive as your boot drive, change it back to the one containing Windows OS. This is a common mistake many novice users make while installing Windows on a new computer. An external storage drive can conflict with the boot drive, resulting in boot errors. You can fix this error by unplugging the external drive and changing the boot order.

Here’s how to change the boot order –

Note – Power ON the computer and keep pressing the assigned key to enter BIOS. It could be F2, F8, F10, F11, ESC, DEL, or any other key designated by your computer manufacturer. Refer to your device manual for more info.

• Once inside BIOS, click on the Boot tab and select the drive that has Windows on it.
• Save the changes and exit the BIOS. Your PC will automatically boot into Windows.

The above steps should help you select the boot drive and fix the 0xc0000185 error code.

Method 2: Perform System Repair Using Windows Installation Media

Sometimes, error codes like the 0xc0000185 are not due to an incorrect boot order but rather a problem with the system files. It could also be due to bad sectors on the drive causing system crashes, BSoDs, and other errors.

For this, you can create a Windows installation media in another working computer and use it to repair the affected computer. Here’s what to do –

• Create a Windows installation media.

Note – An old or outdated Windows installation media cannot reboot in winRE or access the recovery tools. Therefore, creating a brand new Windows installation media is advised instead of using an old one.

• Connect it to the affected PC and boot the PC using this drive.
• You will see the Windows Installation screen. Click on Repair your computer.

• It will load WinRE. Click on Troubleshoot.

• Click on Advanced options > Command Prompt.

• Once inside, type sfc /scannow and press Enter.

It will scan for missing or corrupted system files and replace them with healthy ones.

• After this, type chkdsk /r. Press Enter to execute it.

It will look for any problems on the hard drive and fix them.

• Once the command is executed, close everything and restart the PC.

Method 3: Rebuild BCD

BCD or Boot Configuration Data files are essential files required by the system to boot properly. Corrupted BCD or other boot files can result in boot failure. A boot failure can generate BSoDs or error codes like the 0xc0000185. In such a scenario, you can rebuild the BCD to fix the 0xc0000185 error code on your computer. Here’s what to do –

• Boot your PC in WinRE via the Automatic Repair screen.
• Click on Advanced options.
• Click on Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

• Click on Command Prompt.
• Type bootrec /rebuildbcd and press Enter.

• Wait for the process to end.

Recover Files From an Unstable or Unbootable Computer

The next two methods can result in data loss. If your PC is bootable after the 0xc0000185 blue screen error, but is crashing frequently, take the help of a powerful data recovery software like Stellar Data Recovery to safely retrieve your files. Try this file recovery software for free to test its capabilities.

If your PC is unbootable or stuck in a boot loop, upgrade  to the Professional edition and unlock additional features like creating a bootable media drive, drive monitor, and more. A bootable media allows you to retrieve your files and data from an unbootable or inaccessible system.

Once you have safely retrieved your important data, proceed to the methods below.

Method 4: System Restore

System Restore is a great feature that automatically creates system snapshots at regular intervals. If enabled, a user can use the saved snapshots to return the PC to a previous error-free state. To resolve the issues caused by the 0xc0000185 error, try performing a system restore. Follow the steps –

• Use the Windows Installation media to boot your PC.
• Click on Repair your computer > Troubleshoot.
• Click on Advanced options.
• Click on System Restore.

• Follow the on-screen instructions until the System Restore process is complete.

Method 5: Reinstall Windows

If none of the methods shared above helped you fix the 0xc0000185 error, as a last resort, you can perform a clean installation of Windows on your computer. Doing this will reinstall Windows from scratch.

For clean installation, you will require a blank flash drive (minimum 8GB) or an optical drive to create Windows media creation tool.

Follow these guides to perform a clean installation of Windows 10 or Windows 11 on your PC.

Tips to Prevent Unwanted Data Loss

Errors and system crashes are unexpected but common. They can be of any severity, so, you must always be a step ahead and ensure your data is always safe and protected. Here are some useful tips to keep your data safe from unexpected data loss scenarios.

• Always take regular backups of your data and follow the 3-2-1 data backup strategy.
• Keep the device drivers and the OS updated.
• Avoid mishandling storage devices or portable computers as it can cause irrecoverable physical damage.
• Always keep a reliable antivirus installed on your PC. This will help you protect your privacy and data from malicious attacks.
• Install a data recovery software as a contingency plan.

Wrapping Up

It is frustrating to see errors like the 0xc0000185 on the screen, bringing our work to a standstill. The 0xc0000185 error message is a BSoD error that renders a PC unbootable. We hope the methods mentioned above helped you fix the 0xc0000185 error screen on your Windows PC. Tell us what you liked in the comments below.

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