Quick Summary
The 'uefi-bootloader-in' error on Windows occurs when the system's UEFI bootloader is corrupted or misconfigured, preventing the operating system from loading properly. This error typically appears during the boot process, displaying an error message indicating a problem with the UEFI bootloader.
Common Causes
- Corrupted Bootloader Files: Corruption of critical bootloader files can happen due to disk errors, improper shutdown, or malware attacks, leading to the 'uefi-bootloader-in' error.
- Incorrect UEFI Settings: Misconfiguration of UEFI settings, such as incorrect boot order or disabled UEFI boot, can cause the error.
- Firmware Issues: Outdated or corrupted firmware can lead to compatibility issues with the UEFI bootloader, resulting in the error.
- Hardware Failure: Rarely, hardware failures, especially those related to the storage drive or motherboard, can cause the 'uefi-bootloader-in' error.
Step-by-Step Fixes
Method 1: Restart and Enter UEFI Settings Show Steps ↓
Try restarting your computer and immediately enter the UEFI settings (usually by pressing F2, F12, or Del during boot). Once in the UEFI settings, check that the UEFI boot is enabled and the boot order is set correctly, with your Windows installation drive as the first option. Save changes and exit to see if Windows boots normally.
Method 2: Run the Built-in Bootrec Tool Show Steps ↓
To use the Bootrec tool, you'll need to access the Windows Recovery Environment. Restart your computer, and as it boots, repeatedly press the F8 key to access the Advanced Boot Options. Select Repair Your Computer, then choose your language and keyboard settings, and click Next. Open the Command Prompt and type the following commands, pressing Enter after each: bootrec /fixmbr, bootrec /fixboot, and bootrec /rebuildbcd. After running these commands, restart your computer to see if the issue is resolved.
Method 3: Use the System Configuration Tool Show Steps ↓
Access the Windows Recovery Environment as described in the previous step, and once in the Command Prompt, type msconfig and press Enter. In the System Configuration utility, go to the Boot tab, and check if there are any unnecessary boot entries that could be causing the issue. If you find any, select them and click Delete. Also, ensure the Safe boot option is unchecked. Click Apply, then OK, and restart your computer to test the changes.
Method 4: Reinstall the UEFI Bootloader Show Steps ↓
Reinstalling the UEFI bootloader is a more advanced process. Start by accessing the Windows Recovery Environment and opening the Command Prompt. Type the following command to mount the EFI partition: diskpart, then list vol to find the EFI partition (it's usually a small partition, around 100MB, labeled as EFI or ESP). Note the volume number, then type sel vol number (replace number with the actual volume number of your EFI partition), and press Enter. Next, type assign letter=b to assign a drive letter to the EFI partition. Exit diskpart by typing exit. Then, type b: (or the letter you assigned) and press Enter to switch to the EFI partition. Navigate to the EFI\Microsoft\Boot directory and rename the BCD file to BCD.old. Finally, type bcdboot c:\Windows /s b: /f ALL (assuming Windows is installed on the C: drive) to rebuild the bootloader. Restart your computer to see if the error is resolved.
Method 5: Reset UEFI Settings to Default Show Steps ↓
As a last resort, you can try resetting the UEFI settings to their default values. Enter the UEFI settings as described in the first fix, and look for an option that says Reset to Default, Load Default Settings, or something similar. Select this option and confirm your choice. Save the changes and exit the UEFI settings. Note that resetting UEFI settings will also reset any custom configurations you've made, so use this option with caution.