{"id":22291,"date":"2023-11-06T20:27:36","date_gmt":"2023-11-06T20:27:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/?p=22291"},"modified":"2025-10-07T17:55:48","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T17:55:48","slug":"fixed-operating-system-cannot-be-booted","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/fixed-operating-system-cannot-be-booted\/","title":{"rendered":"The Operating System Couldn&#8217;t Be Loaded Because a Critical System Driver Is Missing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Encountering an error when booting up your computer can be frustrating.<\/p>\n<p>The error code 0xc0000221 indicates that &#8221; The operating system couldn\u2019t be loaded because a critical system driver is missing or corrupted,&#8221; hindering the Windows Operating System from launching correctly.<\/p>\n<p>This issue is often linked to the `qevbda.sys` file associated with QLogic FastLinQ Ethernet by Cavium, Inc., located in %Windir%\\%System%\\drivers.<\/p>\n<p>If it is corrupted or missing, it triggers critical system errors, necessitating immediate action.<\/p>\n<p>Error code 0xc0000221 can be caused by hardware issues, damaged system files, improper power supply, or <a href=\"https:\/\/superuser.com\/questions\/1722064\/my-windows-laptop-is-giving-error-code-0xc0000221-after-i-dropped-it\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">even dropping your device<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In this article, we will explore step-by-step solutions to resolve this error, ensuring a smooth boot-up of your Windows 10 system.<\/p>\n<h2>How to Remove the \u201cThe Operating System Cannot Be Booted Because of Important System Driver Errors\u201d Notification<\/h2>\n<h3>Solution 1: Check for faulty connected external devices<\/h3>\n<p>If one of your connected peripheral devices is problematic, you may encounter a boot-time error.<\/p>\n<p>These include devices like your external hard disk drive, USB hub, mouse, or keyboard. To check for the faulty device, unplug all the devices and try booting Windows.<\/p>\n<p>If it boots normally, try plugging in the devices individually until you find the culprit.<\/p>\n<h3>Solution 2: Check your system for driver issues<\/h3>\n<p>Drivers are crucial for your Windows OS to function correctly. Outdated or corrupted drivers cause issues, including app freezes, software conflicts, hardware failures, system instability, and more.<\/p>\n<p>Keeping your drivers updated is essential for seamless PC operation.<\/p>\n<p>Since your PC is not booting normally, you must install compatible drivers in Safe Mode. To boot into Safe Mode, follow these steps:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">If your computer is turned off, press the power button to turn it on. When your PC shows signs that it\u2019s starting (when the Windows or your manufacturer\u2019s logo appears on the screen), hold the power button until the device turns off.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Repeat this process three more times and let your PC fully restart on the fourth attempt. You will enter WinRE (you can read more about WinRE on <a href=\"https:\/\/support.microsoft.com\/en-us\/help\/4026030\/how-to-use-windows-recovery-environment-winre-to-troubleshoot-common-st\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Microsoft\u2019s official support page<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Choose-an-option-continue-Windows-10.png\" alt=\"Choose an option (continue) Windows 10\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Now, to enable Safe Mode, choose <em>Troubleshoot<\/em> on the <em>Choose an option<\/em>\u00a0screen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Choose-and-option-Troubleshoot-Windows-10.png\" alt=\"Enable Safe Mode, choose Troubleshoot on the Choose an option screen \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Select <em>Advanced options.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Troubleshoot-Advanced-Options-Windows-10.png\" alt=\"Select Advanced options\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Click <em>Startup Settings<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Advanced-options-Startup-Settings.png\" alt=\"Click Startup Settings\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Select <em>Restart<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Startup-Settings-1.png\" alt=\"Select Restart \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Your device will restart and display a list of options. Hit the number \u201c5\u201d or \u201cF5\u201d key on your keyboard to activate Safe Mode with Networking.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Startup-Settings-Windows-10.png\" alt=\"Your device will restart and display a list of options \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Now, try updating your drivers manually via Device Manager.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Device-Manager-Windows-10-1.png\" alt=\"Try updating your drivers manually via Device Manager \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Check if devices have the yellow exclamation mark or red X next to them. Right-click on such devices and select <em>Update driver<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Device-Manager-Update-Driver-Speakers-1.png\" alt=\"Right-click on such devices and select Update driver\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">If no updates are available, right-click them and select \u201c<em>Uninstall device.<\/em>\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Device-Manager-Update-Drivers-Monitors-1.png\" alt=\"Select Uninstall device\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>Restart your computer &#8211; it will automatically reinstall the missing devices with their drivers and update them.<\/p>\n<p>To avoid problems with outdated drivers and error codes as 0xc0000221 you need to know how to update your drivers on a regular basis.<\/p>\n<p>However, knowing how to update your drivers manually is tricky. Although drivers are available on their manufacturers&#8217; websites, you need the correct versions.<\/p>\n<p>For most users, it can be time-consuming, tedious, and confusing.<\/p>\n<p>The best alternative is to use automated driver updating software like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/software\/driver-updater\/\">Auslogics Driver Updater<\/a>.<\/p>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-5626105816785274\"\r\ncrossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Middle_CTA -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-5626105816785274\" data-ad-slot=\"4017758677\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<p>The tool not only eliminates the frustration of dealing with device driver issues but also provides real-time technical support.<\/p>\n<p>Driver Updater scans your operating system and lets you know which device drivers are installed on your PC and which are outdated.<\/p>\n<p>With the click of a button, you can fix any system driver issues on your Windows PC.<\/p>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Auslogics-Driver-Updater-Hardware-and-Driver-Scan-1.png\" alt=\"Auslogics Driver Updater Hardware and Driver Scan\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>The Scheduler feature in Driver Updater simplifies updating your drivers as part of your regular PC maintenance. You can schedule automatic maintenance every week or fortnight.<\/p>\n<p>What is important to note: Auslogics Driver Updater creates a backup of all your drivers which is essential and handy if you want to roll back any of your downloaded drivers.<\/p>\n<p>Restart your PC after updating all the device drivers and check if the \u2018The operating system cannot be booted due to critical system driver errors\u2019 notification still appears.<\/p>\n<p><b>Roll Back the Problematic Driver<\/b><\/p>\n<p>To identify problematic drivers, examine any error messages or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/fix-ntfs-sys-bsod-on-windows\/\">Blue Screen of Death<\/a> (BSOD) occurrences for specified drivers, utilize the Windows Reliability Monitor to check for driver failures in the timeline, and inspect the Device Manager for yellow exclamation marks next to device listings indicating driver issues.<\/p>\n<p>You can roll back the problematic driver if you still get the error.<\/p>\n<p>If you used Driver Updater, simply go to the \u201cRestore\u201d tab, select the driver you want to restore, and click on the \u201cRestore\u201d button. The main job will be done for you automatically by Driver Updater.<\/p>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Auslogics-Driver-Updater-Select-the-backup-you-want-to-restore-1.png\" alt=\"Auslogics Driver Updater Select the backup you want to restore\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>If you are not using Auslogics Driver Updater &#8211; follow these steps to roll back problematic driver manually:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Open the <em>Power User<\/em> menu using the Win + X shortcut, and select<em> Device Manager.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Device-Manager-app-Windows-10-1.png\" alt=\"Select Device Manager\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Expand the category containing the device whose driver you want to roll back.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Device-Manager-VMware-USB-Pointing-Device-1.png\" alt=\"Expand the category containing the device whose driver you want to roll back \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Right-click on the device and select <em>Properties<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Device-Manager-VMWare-Properties-1.png\" alt=\"Right-click on the device and select Properties \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Under the <em>Driver<\/em>\u00a0tab, click on the <em>Roll Back Driver<\/em> option and then click <em>OK<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/VMware-USB-Pointing-Device-Properties-1.png\" alt=\"Under the Driver tab, click on the Roll Back Driver option and then click OK\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>If this doesn\u2019t work, move on to the next solution below.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Solution 3: Repair Corrupt System Files<\/h3>\n<p>Windows comes with various tools to help <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-find-and-fix-corrupted-files-in-windows-10\/\">fix and repair corrupt system files<\/a>. One such tool is the System File Checker (SFC). To run it, open an elevated \u0421ommand Prompt in Safe Mode and execute a simple command.<\/p>\n<p>Here are the detailed instructions:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Start your computer in Safe Mode, as shown above.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Press the <code>Windows + R<\/code> keyboard shortcut and type <em>cmd<\/em> into the \u201cRun\u201d box. Don\u2019t press \u201c<em>Enter<\/em>\u201d just yet. Instead, hit the <code>Ctrl + Shift + Enter<\/code> shortcut to launch the Command Prompt as an administrator.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/cmd-run.png\" alt=\"Press the Windows + R keyboard shortcut\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Click on <em>Yes<\/em> on the User Account Control prompt.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/User-Account-Control-Windows-10-1.png\" alt=\"Click on Yes on the User Account Control prompt \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Now, execute the command <code>sfc \/scannow<\/code>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Windows-10-scannow-1.png\" alt=\"Type in sfc\/scannow\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>The process will take a while.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Windows-10-scannonw-beginning-system-scan-1.png\" alt=\"Windowsa 10 scannow beginning system scan\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Make sure it runs uninterrupted.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Verification-2-complete-scannow-1.png\" alt=\"Verification 2% complete scannow\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Once it has been completed successfully, the system driver errors should be resolved.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/CMD.exe-1.png\" alt=\"CMD.exe\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>Additionally, for in-depth analysis and repair of system files, consider using a tool like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/software\/boost-speed\/\">Auslogics BoostSpeed<\/a>, which comes with a dedicated System Repair module to address various Windows issues.<\/p>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-5626105816785274\"\r\ncrossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Middle_CTA -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-5626105816785274\" data-ad-slot=\"4017758677\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<h3>Solution 4: Delete the Problematic Driver<\/h3>\n<p>If you know the exact device driver causing the \u2018The operating system cannot be booted because of significant system driver errors\u2019 issue, you can delete it.<\/p>\n<p>However, since your system can\u2019t boot normally, you must complete the task in the Advanced Options environment.<\/p>\n<div class=\"notebox_lite\">\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox_lite__heading\">Note<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"notebox__text\">Only use this process if you know what you\u2019re doing and which drivers are faulty. <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>To proceed, follow the steps below:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Turn on the PC. As Windows starts loading, hold the power button until the PC shuts down.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Repeat this process around three times until the recovery window shows up.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">On the <em>Choose an option<\/em>\u00a0screen, open <em>Troubleshoot<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Choose-an-option-Continue-1.png\" alt=\"On the Choose an option screen, open Troubleshoot \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Click <em>Advanced options<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Troubleshoot-This-PC-1.png\" alt=\"Click Advanced options \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Select <em>Startup Settings<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Advanced-Options-Startup-Repair-1.png\" alt=\"Select Startup Settings\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Click <em>Restart<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Startup-Setting-Restart-1.png\" alt=\"Click Restart\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Choose option 4 or 5 to enable Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking respectively.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Startup-Settings-Press-a-number-to-choose-from-the-options-below-1.png\" alt=\"Choose option 4 or 5 to enable Safe Mode or Safe Mode with Networking respectively \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Now, open the Command Prompt as an admin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/cmd-into-run.png\" alt=\"Run Command Prompt as administrator\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Execute the following command:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<pre style=\"padding-left: 40px;\">cd..\r\n\r\ncd windows\\system32\r\n\r\ndel netqevbda.inf<\/pre>\n<p>Once you\u2019re done, delete the qevbd.inf file or any other faulty driver as well.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Also read:<\/strong> <a class=\"post-item__header-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/cmd-navigation-how-to-change-directory-in-cmd-command-prompt\/\">CMD Navigation: How to Change Directory in CMD (Command Prompt)<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Solution 5: Repair Your Windows Installation<\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.easeus.com\/computer-instruction\/repair-install-windows-10.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">The Repair process<\/a> helps to fix problems that are keeping Windows from loading properly. To use this tool, follow our guide below:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">If your PC is switched off, press the power button to turn it on. When the PC boots up, hold down the appropriate function key to get into the Recovery Console. The function keys will vary depending on your computer brand. However, the most commonly used function keys are F1, F2, F10, and F12.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">If you cannot access the Recovery Console, you\u2019ll need Windows installation media. If you have it, plug the Windows 10 installation DVD or USB flash drive into your PC. You must <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-change-boot-order-in-bios-in-windows-10-11\/\">change the boot order in BIOS<\/a> to boot from the DVD or USB flash drive and then restart your computer to boot to the Windows installation disc.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Choose \u201cNext\u201d in the Windows Setup window and select the \u201cRepair your computer\u201d option in the bottom left corner.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Follow the prompts to finish the process.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The repair process replaces system files, leaving your files intact. If it doesn\u2019t work, you might have <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/ultimate-windows-recovery-guide-how-to-restore-your-windows-system\/\">to restore your system<\/a>.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>Related: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-use-windows-10-media-creation-tool\/\">How to Get And Use Windows 10 Media Creation Tool<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3>Solution 6: Perform a System Restore<\/h3>\n<p>If you are unable to resolve the system driver errors, you may want to restore your system to a state where everything works properly.<\/p>\n<p>The system restore procedure involves booting into Safe Mode or using the Windows Recovery Environment (winRE) to access System Restore.<\/p>\n<p>Choose \u201cSystem Restore\u201d when you reach the \u201cAdvanced options\u201d section.<\/p>\n<p>If you booted your PC in Safe Mode, do the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Press the <code>Windows logo + S<\/code> shortcut, type \u201cRestore\u201d (without quotes), and select the option that says <em>Create a restore point<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Create-a-Restore-Point-on-Windows-10-1.png\" alt=\"Create a Restore Point on Windows 10\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Select <em>System Restore<\/em>, wait a few seconds while Windows prepares itself for the automatic system restore process, and then click <em>Next<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/System-Properties-Windows-10-1.png\" alt=\"Select System Restore\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Select a restore point and click <em>Next<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Click on <em>Finish<\/em>\u00a0and let Windows do the rest.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The procedure will delete or reinstall some programs and applications you have previously installed or uninstalled.<\/p>\n<p>Note that the System Restore process will only work if restore points have been created beforehand. System Restore relies on these points to revert the system to a previous state, so without them, the process cannot proceed.<\/p>\n<h3>Solution 7: Reset Windows<\/h3>\n<p>If you still get system driver errors after trying all the above solutions, your best course of action is to reset your operating system. If you don&#8217;t have installation media, you can easily create it:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Simply download <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/how-to-use-windows-10-media-creation-tool\/\">the Media Creation Tool<\/a> and run it.<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Choose <em>Create installation media for another PC<\/em>\u00a0and select the appropriate language, edition, and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Follow the prompts to finish creating the installation media.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Now follow these steps to reset Windows:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Insert the installation media, turn on your computer, and change the boot order to boot from the drive.<\/li>\n<li>On the initial setup screen, choose your language and other preferences and select <em>Next<\/em>.<\/li>\n<li>Click on <em>Repair your computer<\/em>\u00a0and then select <em>Troubleshoot<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Choose-an-Option-Troubleshoot-1.png\" alt=\"Choose an Option Troubleshoot\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Select <em>Advanced options<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Troubleshoot-Advanced-Options-1.png\" alt=\"Select Advanced options \" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<ul>\n<li>Click <em>System Restore &gt; Reset this PC<\/em>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"screenshots\">\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__image-shadow\">\r\n    <img data-src=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/Advanced-Options-System-Restore-1.png\" alt=\"Click System Restore, Reset this PC\" class=\"lazyload screenshots__image\">\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"screenshots__description\"><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>This process will reset Windows 10 and fix the driver issues preventing Windows from booting normally.<\/p>\n<p>For more information on multiple solutions, including repairing the system using a bootable USB flash drive or disk, waiting out the reset process, disabling the internet connection, changing BIOS settings, and reinstalling Windows 10 as a last resort.<\/p>\n<p>Resetting Windows or preparing your system for a fresh start, refer to this article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/fix-windows-10-factory-reset-stucks\/\">\u2018Resetting this PC\u2019 stuck at 1%, 74%, 35% on Windows 10\/11<\/a><\/p>\n<h3>Solution 8: Address Registry Issues<\/h3>\n<p>The error code 0xc0000221 could be caused by registry problems. Over time, your system&#8217;s registry can become cluttered, leading to errors like this one:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Backup Your Registry: Before making any changes to the registry, ensure you have a backup. You can do this by typing `regedit` in the search box, right-clicking on `regedit` from the results, and selecting &#8216;Run as administrator.&#8217; In the Registry Editor, click &#8216;File,&#8217; then &#8216;Export,&#8217; choose a location, name your backup, and click &#8216;Save.&#8217;<\/li>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Use a Trusted Registry Cleaner: Utilize a reputable registry cleaner tool to scan and fix registry issues as to perform a manual cleanup without proper knowledge can be dangerous for your system. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/software\/registry-cleaner\">Auslogics Registry Cleaner<\/a> is a reliable choice that can automatically detect and resolve problems in your registry.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-5626105816785274\"\r\ncrossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script>\r\n<!-- Bottom_CTA -->\r\n<ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:inline-block;width:728px;height:90px\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-5626105816785274\" data-ad-slot=\"9260129453\"><\/ins>\r\n<script>\r\n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});\r\n<\/script>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">Restart your computer after addressing the registry issues to check if the error has been resolved . When you restart, the system will load the modified registry settings, and if the problematic settings have been fixed, the error should go away. Using registry cleaners or manually editing the registry should be done cautiously, as incorrect changes can lead to system instability. Before making changes to the registry, create a backup to restore it if anything goes wrong.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"tipsbox\">\r\n\t<div class=\"tipsbox__heading\">\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__arrow-right\"><\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__shield\">PRO TIP<\/div>\r\n\t\t<div class=\"tipsbox__arrow-left\"><\/div>\r\n\t<\/div>\r\n\t<div class=\"tipsbox__text\"><\/p>\n<p>The solutions in this guide are tailored for situations where your PC cannot boot up normally due to critical system driver errors.<\/p>\n<p>Even if your system is not starting as expected, the steps outlined here can be performed using Safe Mode, Windows Recovery Environment, or with the help of bootable installation media.<\/p>\n<p>Sometimes Windows error 0xc0000221 also results in an Automatic Repair Loop, where Windows tries to fix issues but ends up in a loop without being able to fix them. In such cases, check this <a href=\"https:\/\/answers.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows\/forum\/all\/automatic-repair-loop-with-error-code-0xc0000221\/2e5888a7-877f-4d6c-8681-8c47af814806\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">guided procedure<\/a>.\u00a0 <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Also read: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/registry-cleaner\/\">What is the Windows Registry And Why Do You Need a Registry Cleaner?<\/a><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<p>It can be very frustrating when you are experiencing the error code 0xc0000221, especially when it prevents you from accessing your computer.<\/p>\n<p>Our solutions range from checking for faulty external devices and drivers, to resetting Windows and addressing registry errors. Each will bring you closer to resolving the issue.<\/p>\n<p>For those with a technical bent, Microsoft provides <a href=\"https:\/\/learn.microsoft.com\/en-us\/windows-hardware\/drivers\/debugger\/bug-check-0xc0000221--status-image-checksum-mismatch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">a comprehensive debugging guide<\/a> specifically for error code 0xc0000221 , also known as `STATUS_IMAGE_CHECKSUM_MISMATCH,` which can help identify and fix the underlying problems.<\/p>\n<p>Follow the steps carefully, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/customer-care-to-make-using-auslogics-boostspeed-easier\/\">consult authoritative resources if you need help<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In order to prevent such errors from happening in the future, you should maintain a regular backup routine and keep your system up-to-date.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Are you getting the error &#8220;Operating System Couldn&#8217;t Be Loaded error?&#8221; This error is can be caused by hardware issues, damaged system files, improper power supply, or even dropping your device. We&#8217;ll show you how to fix the problem in this guide. Keep reading. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":71,"featured_media":48687,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[861,815,881],"tags":[69,73,719,23],"class_list":["post-22291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drivers","category-maintenance","category-windows-update-errors","tag-boot-issues","tag-drivers","tag-errors","tag-pc-diagnostics"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.3 (Yoast SEO v27.3) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>The Operating System Couldn&#039;t Be Loaded Because a Critical System Driver Is Missing &#8212; Auslogics Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to fix the &#039;Operating System Couldn&#039;t Be Loaded Due to a Critical System Driver Is Missing&#039; error and get your PC back on track.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22291\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The Operating System Couldn&#039;t Be Loaded Because a Critical System Driver Is Missing\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn how to fix the &#039;Operating System Couldn&#039;t Be Loaded Due to a Critical System Driver Is Missing&#039; error and get your PC back on track.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/fixed-operating-system-cannot-be-booted\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Auslogics Blog | Tips to Diagnose &amp; Resolve Computer Issues\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Auslogics\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2023-11-06T20:27:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-10-07T17:55:48+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.auslogics.com\/en\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/11\/shutterstock_1923546686-1-scaled.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"2560\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1888\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Valeria Burmatskaya\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:description\" content=\"Learn how to fix the &#039;Operating System Couldn&#039;t Be Loaded Due to a Critical System Driver Is Missing&#039; 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