Have you encountered the dreaded “BOOTMGR is Missing. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart” error on your Windows PC? If so, you’re not alone. This frustrating issue can prevent your system from booting properly, leaving you stuck at a black screen with no access to your files or programs. But don’t worry—this guide will help you understand what BOOTMGR (Windows Boot Manager) is, why this error occurs, and the best solutions to fix it.

What is BOOTMGR?

BOOTMGR (Boot Manager) is an essential component of Windows that helps your operating system start correctly. It works in conjunction with the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) to locate and launch Windows during startup. If BOOTMGR is missing, damaged, or misconfigured, your PC will fail to boot, leading to the infamous BOOTMGR is missing error message.

Source: answers.microsoft.com and other forums and picture generated using AI tools.

Common Causes of Boot Manager Missing Error

1. Corrupt Boot Sector or Master Boot Record (MBR)

The Master Boot Record (MBR) is a crucial component of the boot process. If the MBR gets corrupted due to malware attacks, unexpected shutdowns, or faulty updates, the system might fail to locate BOOTMGR, resulting in a startup failure.

2. Incorrect Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI

BIOS/UEFI settings dictate the sequence in which the computer checks storage devices for bootable files. If an external device (USB, DVD) is set as the first boot option instead of the internal hard drive, Windows may fail to find BOOTMGR.

3. Damaged Hard Drive or SSD

A failing hard drive or SSD may contain bad sectors or corrupted data, leading to missing BOOTMGR errors. If your storage drive is physically damaged, the system will struggle to retrieve boot information, causing startup issues.

4. Corrupt Windows System Files

System files are essential for Windows to function correctly. Unexpected shutdowns, power failures, or malware infections can corrupt critical system files, including those related to the Windows Boot Manager.

5. Accidental Deletion of Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) stores important information required to start Windows. If this data is accidentally deleted, misconfigured, or becomes corrupted, the BOOTMGR error will appear.

6. Disconnected or Failing Storage Drive

If the primary hard drive or SSD is not properly connected or is failing, Windows will not be able to access the BOOTMGR file. Loose SATA cables, faulty power connections, or drive failures can all contribute to this issue.

This guide covers the 5 best solutions to fix the BOOTMGR is missing error in Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10, and Windows 11.

Solution 1: Run Startup Repair from Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE)

Why Use Startup Repair?

Startup Repair is a built-in Windows tool that automatically fixes boot-related issues, including missing BOOTMGR errors.

Steps to Perform Startup Repair

1. Insert a Bootable Windows Installation Media (USB/DVD).
2. Restart your PC and boot from the installation media (Press F2, F12, or DEL to access BIOS and change boot priority if needed).
3. Select “Repair your computer” from the Windows setup screen.
4. Navigate to “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced Options” > “Startup Repair”.
5. Select your Windows installation and follow the on-screen instructions.
6. After completion, restart your computer and check if the issue is resolved.

If Startup Repair does not fix the problem, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 2: Rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

Why Rebuild BCD?

A corrupted or missing Boot Configuration Data (BCD) can prevent Windows from booting, resulting in the BOOTMGR error.

Steps to Rebuild BCD Using Command Prompt

1. Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) using a bootable USB/DVD.
2. Click on “Repair your computer” > “Troubleshoot” > “Advanced Options” > “Command Prompt”.
3. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

4. Press Enter after each command and wait for completion.
5. Restart your system and check if the BOOTMGR error persists.

If this does not resolve the issue, try repairing the Master Boot Record (MBR).

Solution 3: Repair the Master Boot Record (MBR)

Why Repair MBR?

The Master Boot Record (MBR) is a crucial part of the boot process. If it becomes corrupted, it can trigger the BOOTMGR error.

Method 1: Repair MBR Using Command Prompt

1. Access Command Prompt from WinRE as explained earlier.
2. Type the following command and press Enter:

bootrec /fixmbr

3. Restart your PC and see if the issue is fixed.

Method 2: Rebuild MBR Using AOMEI Partition Assistant

1. Download AOMEI Partition Assistant on another working PC.
2. Create a bootable USB drive using AOMEI Partition Assistant.
3. Boot the problematic PC using the bootable USB.
4. Select Rebuild MBR from the options.
5. Apply changes and restart your system.

This should repair the boot loader and resolve the BOOTMGR missing issue.

Solution 4: Check and Modify Boot Order in BIOS

Why Check Boot Order?

If your boot order is incorrect, your system might try to boot from an external device instead of your main hard drive, leading to the BOOTMGR error.

Steps to Set Correct Boot Order

1. Restart your PC and enter BIOS/UEFI (Press F2, F12, ESC, or DEL key during startup).
2. Navigate to Boot Options.
3. Ensure that your main hard drive (where Windows is installed) is set as the first boot device.
4. Save changes and restart your PC.

If the issue persists, proceed to the final solution.

Solution 5: Perform a Clean Windows Installation

When to Perform a Clean Installation?

If all other methods fail, reinstalling Windows is the last resort. This erases all files and software, so backup important data first.

Steps to Perform a Clean Windows Installation

1. Create a Bootable Windows USB/DVD:
   • Download the Windows Media Creation Tool from Microsoft’s website.
   • Create a bootable USB using Rufus or Windows’ built-in tool.
2. Boot from the Installation Media:
   • Restart your PC and boot into the USB/DVD.
   • Select “Install Now”.
3. Delete Existing Partitions:
   • Choose Custom Installation and delete the old Windows partition.
4. Install Windows:
   • Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation.

Once Windows is installed, update all drivers and security patches to prevent future errors.

Conclusion

Fixing the BOOTMGR is missing error is crucial for restoring your system’s functionality. The five best solutions covered in this guide include:

1. Running Startup Repair from WinRE.
2. Rebuilding Boot Configuration Data (BCD).
3. Repairing the Master Boot Record (MBR).
4. Checking and modifying boot order in BIOS.
5. Performing a clean Windows installation.

By following these methods, you can effectively resolve the error and get your system running again. If none of these solutions work, consider seeking professional assistance to check for hardware failures or disk corruption.

The “Boot Manager is Missing” error can be alarming, but these proven solutions from Microsoft forum users show that it can be fixed in multiple ways. Try these methods one by one, starting with the simpler ones, and get your system running again!

How to Fix “Boot Manager is Missing” Error – 10 Solutions from Microsoft Forum Users

One of the most frustrating errors Windows users encounter is the dreaded “Boot Manager is Missing” message. This issue usually occurs when the Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is corrupted, the Master Boot Record (MBR) is damaged, or the system drive is not properly recognized. Fortunately, many Microsoft forum users have successfully resolved this issue. Here are 10 solutions shared by real users who fixed the error.

1. Use Windows Installation Media to Repair Boot Manager

Microsoft forum user @TechPro2022 resolved the issue by booting from a Windows installation USB/DVD and using the Startup Repair tool. He shared:

“I inserted my Windows 10 installation USB, selected ‘Repair your computer,’ and then ran Startup Repair. It fixed my boot files instantly.”

2. Rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

User @FixItMike suggested rebuilding the BCD using Command Prompt. He explained:

“After booting into Windows recovery mode, I opened Command Prompt and typed the following commands:

bcdboot c:\windows
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

Restarted my computer, and it worked!”

3. Check Boot Order in BIOS

User @SystemGeek shared that the boot sequence in BIOS was incorrect. He fixed it by:

“Entering the BIOS by pressing F2 at startup, setting my system drive as the first boot device, saving changes, and restarting. Problem solved!”

4. Use Bootrec.exe to Fix MBR and Boot Sector

A user named @JohnTheFixer recommended another way to repair the Master Boot Record:

“I booted into recovery, opened CMD, and ran bootrec /fixmbr and bootrec /fixboot. This restored my boot sector and fixed the issue.”

5. Disable Secure Boot in BIOS

User @JaneIT found that Secure Boot was interfering with booting:

“I disabled Secure Boot in my BIOS settings, and my system booted normally again. Seems like my Windows install wasn’t compatible with Secure Boot.”

6. Set Active Partition Using Diskpart

User @BootFixGuy shared that marking the correct partition as active helped:

“I booted into recovery, ran diskpart, selected my system drive, and set it as active using:

diskpart
select disk 0
select partition 1
active

Rebooted, and it worked!”

7. Perform System Restore

A forum user, @RecoveryKing, recommended using System Restore:

“I used System Restore to go back to a point before the issue started. This brought my system back to life without affecting my files.”

8. Remove External Drives

User @USBFix warned that external drives can sometimes cause boot issues:

“I had a USB drive plugged in, and for some reason, my PC was trying to boot from it. Unplugged it, restarted, and Windows loaded fine.”

9. Run CHKDSK to Repair Disk Errors

User @HDDHelper shared:

“I ran chkdsk c: /f /r to scan and fix bad sectors on my drive. After the repair completed, my system booted without issues.”

10. Reinstall Windows as a Last Resort

Finally, @ReinstallRandy stated:

“Nothing worked for me, so I backed up my data, formatted the drive, and did a clean Windows install. It was a hassle, but at least my PC runs smoothly now.”