Windows

How to Fix Error 0xc0000185 on Windows 10?

Error 0xc0000185 is a code that indicates there's a problem starting your Windows 10 PC. This Windows may appear with a message stating that your PC needs repair , that some files are missing or corrupted, or that a required device is not connected or is inaccessible. If you encounter this error, don't panic! There are several solutions to resolve it and get your PC working again. In this article, we'll explain the possible causes of error 0xc0000185 and the methods to fix it.

What are the causes of error 0xc0000185?

Error 0xc0000185 can have several causes, but the most common are:

There's a connection problem between your hard drive and your motherboard. The cable connecting them may be damaged or improperly connected, preventing the PC from reading boot data.
Corrupted or missing boot files. These are the files that contain the information needed to launch the operating system. If these files are altered or missing, the PC cannot boot correctly.
A problem with the drive. Your DVD or USB drive may be faulty or incompatible with your PC, causing an error during startup.
A damaged hard drive. Your hard drive may have been damaged by shock, overheating, a virus, or wear and tear, making it impossible to read the data.

How to fix error 0xc0000185?

Depending on the cause of error 0xc0000185, there are different solutions to fix it. Here are the main methods to try:

Method 1: Check the cable connections

The first thing to do is check if the problem is with the cable connections between your hard drive and your motherboard. To do this, you need to:

Turn off your PC and unplug the power supply cable.
Open your PC case and locate the hard drive and motherboard.
Check that the cable connecting them is securely fastened and in good condition. If not, replace it or reconnect it properly.
Close your PC case and reconnect the power supply cable.
Restart your PC and see if error 0xc0000185 persists.

Method 2: Use the Windows 10 installation media

If you have Windows 10 installation media (a DVD or a USB drive), you can use it to repair damaged or missing boot files. To do this, you must:

Insert the installation media into the appropriate drive and restart your PC.
Press the F12 key (or another key depending on your model) to access the startup menu.
Select the installation media as the boot disk and press Enter.
Select the language you want to use and click Next.
Click on Repair your computer in the bottom left corner of the screen.
Choose Windows 10 (or any other operating system you wish to repair) and click Next.
Click on Command Prompt in the advanced options.
Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each command:

bootrec /fixMBR bootrec /fixBoot bootrec /rebuildBCD

Close the command prompt and restart your PC.

Method 3: Replace the faulty drive

If you use a DVD or USB drive to boot your PC, it may be faulty or incompatible with your PC. In this case, you should try replacing it with another drive that works properly. To do this, you must:

Turn off your PC and unplug the power supply cable.
Remove the DVD or USB drive that you use to start your PC.
Insert another DVD or USB drive that contains the Windows 10 installation media.
Reconnect the power supply cable and restart your PC.
Follow the same steps as method 2 to repair the startup files.

Method 4: Restore your system

If none of the previous methods work, you can try restoring your system to a previous date when everything was working correctly. To do this, you must:

Insert the installation media into the appropriate drive and restart your PC.
Follow the same steps as method 2 until you access the advanced options.
Click on System Restore in the advanced options.
Choose a restore point that predates the occurrence of error 0xc0000185 and click Next.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the system restore.

Method 5: Reset your PC

If all other methods fail, you can try resetting your PC to factory settings. This will delete all your personal files and installed applications, but will keep your Windowssettings. To do this, you need to:

Insert the installation media into the appropriate drive and restart your PC.
Follow the same steps as method 2 until you access the advanced options.
Click on Reset this PC in the advanced options.
Choose the Keep my files option if you want to keep your Windows settings or Delete all if you want to erase everything.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the PC reset.

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions from users who encounter error 0xc0000185:

What is error 0xc0000185?

Error 0xc0000185 is a code that indicates there is a problem starting your PC under Windows 10. This code may appear with a message saying that your PC needs to be repaired, that some files are missing or corrupted, or that a required device is not connected or is not accessible.

How to prevent error 0xc0000185?

To prevent error 0xc0000185, it is recommended to:

Regularly check the connections of the cables that link your hard drive and your motherboard.
Make regular backups of your important files on an external storage device.
Use an up-to-date antivirus program to protect your PC from viruses and malware.
Avoid shocks, overheating and power surges that can damage your hard drive.

How do I recover my data after fixing error 0xc0000185?

If you successfully repaired error 0xc0000185 without losing your data, you can simply access your files normally from your PC. If you lost your data during the repair, you can try to recover it using specialized software such as Recuva or EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard.

Can I use an installation medium other than Windows 10 to fix error 0xc0000185?

No, it is important to use the installation media corresponding to your operating system to fix error 0xc0000185. If you use installation media from another version of Windows, you risk causing compatibility problems or further damaging your PC.

Can I fix error 0xc0000185 without installation media?

Yes, there is a method to fix error 0xc0000185 without installation media, but it's not guaranteed to work. It is:

Restart your PC and press the F8 key repeatedly until the message “Repair your computer” appears.
Follow the same steps as method 2 from step 3.

Conclusion

Error 0xc0000185 indicates a problem with your Windows 10 PC booting. This code can have several causes, but the most common are a connection issue between your hard drive and motherboard, corrupted or missing boot files, a drive problem, or a damaged hard drive. To fix this error, you can try several methods, such as checking cable connections, using Windows 10 installation media, replacing the faulty drive, restoring your system, or resetting your PC. If none of these methods work, you can contact a professional or your PC manufacturer for assistance.