Error While Reading The Boot Configuration Data – 5 Fixes

Are you experiencing the “An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data” error when attempting to boot up your computer?

The BCD file is responsible for managing various boot options, such as different versions of Windows, recovery choices, and other boot tools. When this file becomes corrupted, it can lead to a host of startup errors, preventing your PC from booting up properly. If this file gets damaged, you might receive several other startup issues, like:

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“An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data” is a common issue that many Windows users encounter. Fortunately, there are solutions to resolve this error on different types of PCs and laptops, including popular brands like Dell, Lenovo, HP, Acer, and Asus. In this article, we’ll explore the steps to fix this error and get your system up and running smoothly again.

Solution 1: Repair corrupted BCD data

To resolve this error, the initial step is to repair the Boot Configuration Data (BCD). For this task, you’ll require a Windows installation media. Follow these straightforward steps to repair the corrupted boot configuration data:

[lightweight-accordion title=”Manually Repair MBR file – Step by Step” bordered=true]
Step 1: Boot your PC using the Windows Installation media. It will open Windows Installation Wizard. Click Next.

windows os installation

Step 2: Select Repair your computer.

repair your computer option windows 10 & 11

Step 3: It will open the Advanced Startup Option or Windows Recovery Environment. Click on the Troubleshoot.

Troubleshoot in Advanced Startup Menu Windows 10 & 11

Step 4: Select Command Prompt.

open_command_prompt in advanced startup option

Step 5: Type the following command and press Enter to execute it.
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /RebuildBcd
Step 6: Now restart your computer, and you will not see the boot time error message Bootmgr is missing.
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Solution 2: Repair Master Boot Record (MBR)

To fix Windows boot-related issues, it’s often essential to repair or rebuild the Master Boot Record (MBR). Don’t worry; rebuilding the MBR is a straightforward process. Just follow the guidelines below, and you’ll be able to do it easily:

   Copy OS and data to another HDD/SSD
   Convert MBR to GPT for Windows 11 upgrade
   Convert to NTFS/FAT32
   Repair File System/Windows Startup error
   Create/Delete/Resize/Move/Format/Wipe/Extend/Merge Partition
  Create WinPE Bootable Disk

 65M Users       99% Disk Management       12K Downloads/Day       4.7 TrustPilot Rating       Windows 11/10/8/7 & Server 2022/2019/2016/2012/2008/2003    
[lightweight-accordion title=”Repair MBR using EaseUS” bordered=true]
Step 1: Create Bootable USB drive using EaseUS. Launch EaseUS Partition Master, and click “Bootable Media” on the toolbar. Select “Create bootable media”.
easeus-bootable-disk-1
Step 2: Boot your PC using Bootable USB Drive.
Step 3: Click “Toolkit” and choose “Rebuild MBR”.
easeus mbr repair
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Solution 3: Run SFC/DISM/CHKDSK in the WinRE mode.

The combination of the SFC (System File Checker), DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management), and CHKDSK (Check Disk) commands forms a powerful set of tools for repairing corrupted system files, resolving bad sectors in the hard drive, and fixing a corrupted Windows image. You can easily run these commands in the WinRE (Windows Recovery Environment) to address various issues with your Windows system. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

[lightweight-accordion title=”Run SFC, CHKDSK, DISM command” bordered=true]
Step 1: Boot your PC using the Windows Installation media. It will open Windows Installation Wizard. Click Next.

windows os installation

Step 2: Select Repair your computer.

repair your computer option windows 10 & 11

Step 3: It will open the Advanced Startup Option or Windows Recovery Environment. Click on the Troubleshoot.

Troubleshoot in Advanced Startup Menu Windows 10 & 11

Step 4: Select Command Prompt.

open_command_prompt in advanced startup option

Step 5: Now run the following commands one by one.
i. System File Checker tool

sfc /scannow

ii. Run Dism command

Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /CheckHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /ScanHealth
Dism /Online /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth

iii. Run Disk checking utility.

chkdsk C: / f / x / r

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Solution 4: Startup Repair

Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) offers a valuable tool called Startup Repair, which can fix and reset all the components responsible for booting your PC. This feature is particularly useful when your computer is facing boot-related issues. To perform Startup Repair, follow these simple steps:

[lightweight-accordion title=”Startup Repair – Step by Step” bordered=true]
Step 1: Boot your PC using the Windows Installation media. It will open Windows Installation Wizard. Click Next.

windows os installation

Step 2: Select Repair your computer.

repair your computer option windows 10 & 11

Step 3: It will open the Advanced Startup Option or Windows Recovery Environment. Click on the Troubleshoot.

Troubleshoot in Advanced Startup Menu Windows 10 & 11

Step 4: It will open the Advanced startup menu. Go to the Troubleshoot ➜ Advanced options ➜ Startup Repair.
Startup Repair Windows 10 & 11
Step 5: Select OS.
Startup Repair - Select OS
Step 6: Wait until it diagnoses and repairs your PC.
repair-windows-from-usb-5
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Solution 5: Select Correct Boot Device in BIOS

When encountering the error message “An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data,” it could be due to an incorrect boot device selection in the BIOS settings. To resolve this problem, you’ll need to access the BIOS and set the correct boot device. Follow these straightforward steps to do so:

[lightweight-accordion title=”Select Boot device in BIOS/UEFI” bordered=true]
Step 1: Open BIOS Settings. To access the BIOS settings, restart your PC and continuously press the F2/F8/Del/Esc button when you see the manufacturer’s logo during startup. Keep in mind that different manufacturers may have different methods to access the BIOS settings. It is recommended to refer to the manufacturer’s guidelines to determine the specific key or key combination to enter the BIOS.

1_bios_settings

Step 2: Locate the Boot option settings. The menu style in the BIOS may vary depending on the manufacturer, so look for the Boot option menu and modify the boot order to prioritize your primary hard drive where Windows is installed. Ensure that the primary hard drive is listed as the first boot device.

2_bios_boot_option

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Summary

Encountering the error message “An error occurred while attempting to read the boot configuration data” can be alarming as it prevents your computer from booting. However, rest assured that with the right troubleshooting method, you can resolve this error and get your system up and running again.