How to Fix "Boot Manager Failed to Find OS Loader" [100% Working]

Updated by

Linda 

Written by

Cici 

Updated on April 22, 2024

The "Boot manager failed to find the OS loader" issue typically surfaces when the system encounters problems locating the operating system loader during the boot process. It's crucial to grasp the context and possible causes behind this confusing error. This issue can stem from several sources, including a corrupted boot partition, unintentional deletion of the bootloader, incorrect removal of the hard disk, or damage to the system disk.

When encountering the "boot manager failed to find OS loader" error, you might come across several specific error messages, such as:

Here are the translations of the provided text into English:
• Root cause found:
• Boot manager failed to find OS Loader.
• Repair action: File repair
• Result: Failed. Error Code = 0x490
• Time taken = 5522ms
• Repair action: Boot configuration data store repair
• Result: Failed. Error code = 0x490
• Time taken = 156ms

So, if you're encountering this error message and are unsure how to fix it, follow this guide step-by-step to resolve the issue. The tools provided will guide you thoroughly. Don't forget to share this tutorial if you find it helpful.

One-Click Fix: Boot Manager Failed to Find OS Loader

Manually resolving the boot manager issue can be challenging for beginners and non-technical individuals, often failing to locate a suitable OS loader and requiring significant time and effort. To simplify the process for non-technical users, the Partition Master Professional tool provides a one-click solution. It is a powerful and user-friendly partition management software that allows you to handle disk-related problems with ease. Equipped with specialized boot repair functions, it swiftly addresses the "boot manager failed to find OS loader" error.

Follow the steps below to seamlessly resolve the issue:

Step 1. Launch AOMEI Partition Assistant after connecting the external drive/USB to your computer, then go to "Bootable Media" and click "Create Bootable Media."

Step 2. Choose an available USB drive or CD/DVD and click "Create." You can also burn the Windows ISO file to the storage media.

Step 3. Connect the created bootable drive to the new computer and restart it by holding down F2 or Del to enter BIOS. Then, set the WinPE bootable drive as the boot disk and press F10 to exit.

Step 4. Restart the computer and enter the WinPE interface. Next, open the Partition Master tool and click on "Boot Repair" under the "Toolkit" option.

Step 5: Select the system you want to repair and click "Repair."

Click on “Repair”.

Step 6. Wait a moment, and you will receive an alert that the system has been successfully repaired. Click "OK" to complete the boot repair process.

MiniTool Partition Wizard is also one of the best portable partition manager software that supports other situations related to partition and disk errors:

How to Fix 'Boot Manager Failed to Find OS Loader' Error?

Let's explore other useful and practical solutions to address the issue where the boot manager fails to locate the operating system loader.

Translate the following text into English:
1. Fix 1: Rebuild MBR or BCD
2. Fix 2: Run SFC
3. Fix 3: Run CHKDSK to Repair Bad Sectors

We will provide step-by-step tutorials to resolve the boot manager error. You can click on social media platforms to share these solutions with others who might be facing the same issue.

Fix 1: Rebuild MBR or BCD

A corrupted Master Boot Record (MBR) or Boot Configuration Data (BCD) can result in the boot manager failing to locate the operating system loader. In such cases, these two essential components become crucial. You might need to rebuild the MBR or BCD to resolve the issue. To efficiently rebuild the MBR and BCD, using a tool like Partition Master Professional is advisable. Its specialized feature (Rebuild MBR) simplifies the process of MBR reconstruction and addresses BCD-related issues, providing a straightforward solution for the "boot manager failed to find OS loader" error.

Follow these steps:

Step 1. Create a WinPE bootable disk

* Launch tools Partition Master, and click "Bootable Media" on the toolbar. Select "Create bootable media". * Click "Next" to complete the process.

Step 2. Boot the Partition Master Bootable USB

Connect the bootable USB or CD/DVD to your PC. Press F2 or Del when you restart the computer to enter the BIOS screen. Set and boot your computer from "Removable Devices" or "CD-ROM Drive". Then, Partition Master will run automatically.

Step 3. Rebuild MBR

Click "Toolkit" and select "Rebuild MBR".

Rebuild MBR

Select the disk and the type of MBR, then click "Rebuild".

After that, you can see "MBR has been successfully rebuilt on Disk X".

MBR Error 1 on Windows? Causes & Solutions

Have you come across MBR error 1? This issue might prevent Windows from booting successfully. Don't panic. This article presents 3 efficient methods to assist you in resolving MBR error 1. Read more >>

Fix 2: Run System File Checker

Running the System File Checker (SFC) tool checks your Windows installation for corrupt, invalid, or deleted system files. You'll need a Windows installation disc/bootable media to run SFC.

Once you've created a Windows installation disk, follow these steps:

Step 1. Connect the Windows installation disk/bootable media to your computer.

Step 2. Restart your computer and boot from the installation disc.

Step 3. Select the language and keyboard, then go to Repair your computer -> Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> Command Prompt.

Click on the language you need to translate into: English: Click on the language you need to translate into: English:

Step 4. In the Command Prompt, type the command:

sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows This command is already in English. It's a command used in the Windows operating system to run the System File Checker (SFC) tool. The parameters mean: - `/scannow`: Starts a scan of system files immediately. - `/offbootdir=C:\`: Specifies the boot directory, which is C:\ in this case. - `/offwindir=C:\Windows`: Specifies the Windows directory, which is also C:\Windows in this example. The command is used when Windows is having trouble starting, and it checks for corrupted system files and repairs them.

(C) partition contains your Windows 10, 8, or 7 installations. If you installed Windows on a different partition, you must change the letter and type the relevant letter instead of C.

Upon completing these steps, restart your PC and check if the 'Boot Manager failed to find the OS' error has been resolved or still persists.

Further Reading: SFC scannow There Is A System Repair Pending

Fix 3. Run CHKDSK to Repair Bad Sectors

Bad sectors could also result in the error message: "Boot Manager failed to find the OS loader." You can fix bad sectors by running CHKDSK. You'll need a Windows installation media for this process as well.

Follow these steps:

Step 1. Boot your PC from the installation disk.

Step 2. After selecting the keyboard and language, navigate to Repair your computer -> Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> Command Prompt.

Step 3. Type chkdsk C: /f /r and press Enter in the Command Prompt. (The 'c' refers to the system partition.) If you set a different system partition, change the letter C accordingly.

Step 4. Restart your computer to see if the issue is resolved.

Conclusion

It's frustrating when we encounter the "boot manager failed to find the OS loader" message, as it disrupts our daily activities. This issue hampers our ability to use the computer efficiently for work or personal tasks. It can be particularly challenging to resolve for many users, especially those without technical expertise. To address this problem, we have provided several solutions that you can apply yourself whenever it occurs.

The simplest and most reliable solution is tools Partition Master. It provides a one-click solution with useful features to promptly address various issues for a smooth computing experience. Hence, you can always utilize tools Partition Master for different tasks and to resolve errors, benefiting from its numerous helpful features and functionalities.

Frequently Asked Questions About Boot Manager Failed to Find OS Loader

If you still have questions or need further assistance regarding the "boot manager failed to find OS loader," you might find the answers in these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).

1. How do I fix the missing OS loader in Windows 7? To address the missing Operating System (OS) loader issue in Windows 7, follow these steps: 1. **Boot from the Windows 7 Installation Disc:** - Insert the installation disc into your CD/DVD drive and restart your computer. - Ensure your BIOS settings are set to boot from the CD/DVD drive first. 2. **Select Language and Keyboard Layout:** - On the "Welcome" screen, choose your preferred language, time and currency format, and keyboard layout, then click "Next." 3. **Repair Your Computer:** - Click on "Repair your computer" located at the bottom left corner of the screen. - Choose the appropriate operating system if you have multiple installations, and then click "Next." 4. **System Recovery Options:** - Select "Command Prompt" from the list of available options. 5. **Run chkdsk:** - At the Command Prompt, type `chkdsk /f /r /x` and press Enter. This command will check for disk errors, attempt to fix them, and dismount the volume if necessary. - Wait for the process to complete. It might take some time depending on the size of your hard drive. 6. **Bootrec.exe Commands:** - Type the following commands one by one, pressing Enter after each: - `bootrec /fixmbr` - `bootrec /fixboot` - `bootrec /rebuildbcd` These commands will repair the Master Boot Record (MBR), write a new boot sector, and rebuild the Boot Configuration Data (BCD). 7. **Exit and Restart:** - Close the Command Prompt and select "Exit without restarting." - Remove the installation disc and restart your computer. 8. **Verify the Issue is Resolved:** - If the OS loader issue has been fixed, your computer should start normally. If not, you may need to consider more advanced troubleshooting steps or seek professional assistance. Remember, always back up important data before attempting any repairs, as there's a risk of data loss.

On Windows 7, you can fix the missing OS loader by running the System File Checker (SFC). Here are the brief steps: 1. Restart your computer and boot into Safe Mode. To do this, repeatedly press the F8 key while your computer is starting up, until the Advanced Boot Options menu appears. 2. Select "Safe Mode with Networking" from the menu and press Enter. 3. Once Windows 7 loads in Safe Mode, press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog box. 4. Type "cmd" in the dialog box and press Enter. This will open the Command Prompt with administrative privileges. 5. In the Command Prompt, type the following command and press Enter: ``` sfc /scannow ``` 6. The System File Checker will now scan your system for any corrupted or missing files and attempt to repair them. This process may take some time, so please be patient. 7. After the scan is complete, restart your computer normally. The missing OS loader issue should be resolved. If the problem persists, you might need to check for hard drive errors using the CHKDSK utility or consider repairing or reinstalling Windows.

Boot your PC from the installation disk. Choose Repair your computer -> Troubleshoot -> Advanced options -> Command Prompt after choosing your keyboard layout and language. In the Command Prompt, type (sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=C:\Windows). (c refers to the system partition.) If you selected a different system partition, change the letter (C) accordingly.

**2. What is OS loading?**

OS loading refers to the startup process that occurs when you power on your computer. It involves loading crucial system files and drivers to initiate the operation of your system, ultimately resulting in the display of the desktop environment.

3. How do you fix the Windows Boot Manager failure to start?

Several factors can result in a "Windows boot manager failed to start" error, such as missing or damaged boot files, hardware issues, or complications with the boot configuration data. Depending on the cause, you can attempt various solutions:

1. Run Startup Repair: Windows includes a built-in Startup Repair utility that can attempt to fix corrupted system files and boot configuration issues. 2. Rebuild the MBR or BCD: Similar to resolving the "Boot Manager Failed to Find OS Loader" error, you can use tools like Partition Master to rebuild the Master Boot Record (MBR) or Boot Configuration Data (BCD), which might solve the problem. 3. Check for hardware issues: Faulty hardware components, such as hard drives or RAM, can lead to boot problems. It's advisable to run diagnostic tests or inspect your hardware for any physical damage. 4. Restore your system: If other methods don't work, you can restore your system to a previous point when your computer was functioning properly.