Fix A Required Device Isn't connected or Can't be Accessed

Every device connected to your computer needs to function well to complete the boot process. If the
operating system cannot load drivers or the devices starts to malfunction you may come across this error,

'' A required device isn't connected or can't be accessed ''

Most users reported to experience this error following an improper shutdown. Depending on the reason why it occurs, there are several possible fixes to this problem. Although this error seems complex to resolve, this problem can be easily fixed with right solutions.

In this article, I will be addressing about Fixing A Required Device Isn't connected or Can't be Accessed. This post contains detailed instructions to fix this problem.

Let's get started,

1. Perform Startup Repair

Windows comes with a built in tool known as Automatic Repair which is one of the quickest ways to solve PC problems. But since direct access to the system is not allowed, you might need to use a windows installation media. Once this process is finished, you can check if the problem went away.

To perform Startup Repair,

Insert the installation media
Restart the PC
Boot from the installation media
Choose your language
Select '' Troubleshoot ''
Select '' Automatic Repair ''

This process will repair your operating system.

2. Perform SFC Scan

System Files are essential entities for a computer to boot, if they become corrupted you may come across this error. One such important file is winload.efi. Corruption of this file can lead to many errors including a required device isn't connected or can't be accessed. However you can easily repair or replace the corrupted file using the tool System File Checker (SFC).

To perform SFC scan,

Insert one of the installation media.
Boot from them.
Open Command Prompt by pressing Shift+F10.
Type the command SFC/Scannow and Press Enter.

3. Change BIOS Settings

Sometimes an incorrect BIOS settings may also be the reason behind this error. In this case, you need to check the BIOS settings of your computer. Preferably, check if the hard drive is listed first in the boot order.

4. Rebuild BCD

Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is an important parameter for the boot process. If it becomes faulty, it can also give rise to this error. Therefore, an effective solution for this will be rebuilding BCD.

To rebuild BCD,

Insert one of the installation media.
Boot from them.
Open Command Prompt by pressing Shift+F10.
Type the command '' bootrec / rebuildbcd ''
Press Enter.

5. Check Partition Settings

In some of the instances incorrect partition can be set as active which creates a problem in the boot process. Hence, the correct partition needs to set as active.

For correcting partition,

Insert one of the installation media.
Boot from them.
Open Command Prompt by pressing Shift+F10.
Type '' diskpart '' and Press Enter.
Then type '' list disk ''
Find EFI partition number.
Type Select volume {EFI partition no.}
Type assign letter = y or any other letters.
Exit the diskpart utility.
In the Command Prompt type '' cd/dy:\Microsoft\Boot\ and bootrec/fixboot '' and Press Enter.
Close the Command Prompt and remove the installation media.
Restart the computer.

6. Remove Peripheral Devices

Another possible reason for this error may be because of recently added hardware. Remove all the peripheral devices off your computer. If you aren't pretty sure which device is faulty, try connecting the devices one by one. Restart the computer each time when you reconnect.

7. Restore System

If all other options fail, there is an effective way to fix a required device isn't connected or can't be accessed. That is performing a System Restore. By restoring system, you can revert your system to an earlier state with default settings. However, you need to be aware that this method will delete everything on your storage drive.

To Restore System,