Why You’re Getting Blue Screen Recovery Error 0x0000185 and How to Fix It

Encountering errors on your computer can be frustrating, especially when you come across a blue screen error. One such BSOD error is the blue screen Recovery error 0x0000185.

This is a Stop error, which means that you won’t be able to boot up your computer normally unless you fix this error. Although this error is often encountered with Windows 10/11, it is also a very common problem with Windows 7, 8, and 8.1.

The appearance of the 0xc0000185 error indicates that your operating system cannot access the required Windows OS files in the hard drive to start. It just means that your computer cannot communicate with your hard disk or there is something wrong with the system files.

Error code 0xc0000185 almost always appears after a system restart. It is often accompanied by texts that say:

The Boot Configuration Data for your PC is missing or contains certain errors
Error code: 0x0000185
Your PC needs to be repaired. The Boot Configuration Data file is missing some required information.

Here are other versions of the error message:

• Your PC needs to be repaired. A required device isn’t connected or can’t be accessed. Error code: 0x0000185
• Your PC couldn’t start properly.
  A required device isn’t connected or can’t be accessed.
  Error coade 0xc0000185
  You’ll need to use recovery tools. If you don’t have any installation media (like a disk or USB device), please contact your administrator or PC/Device manufacturer

What Causes Blue Screen Recovery Error 0x0000185 on Windows 10/11

When the error code 0x0000185 appears during the startup screen, it prevents the booting sequence from being completed. This is a critical problem since it stops the affected users from accessing their computers. Here are some of the common factors that trigger this BSOD error:

• Kernel subsystem problem – Based on reports, a corrupted kernel sub-system file is one of the common culprits behind this error because it breaks the booting sequence. If this happens, you can easily resolve the issue by using the Automated Repair utility to fix the corrupted subsystem components.
• Corrupted BCD data – Another factor that might cause this problem to occur is corruption in the BCD data, preventing the booting sequence from proceeding. Rebuilding the BCD data using a series of commands via Command Prompt should easily fix this error.
• OS updates – Sometimes, installing system updates or updating your device drivers can also end up interfering with the startup sequence. Since it’s hard to pinpoint the real reason, the best method is to use the System Restore utility to revert your PC back to a healthy state when the error code didn’t exist.
• Corrupted system files – Corrupted OS files can also trigger this error code when restarting. Performing a repair install or a clean install should help deal with this BSOD.

What to do about Recovery error 0x0000185?

How to Fix Recovery Error 0x0000185

Whether this issue is the main problem plaguing your system or there are more serious problems that this error merely hints at, you won’t be able to fix anything until you get your computer working again. That means getting rid of this BSOD error.

The first thing you should try is to reboot your computer. It’s unlikely that a standard reboot will resolve this particular problem but attempting a complete reboot never hurts. Windows usually fix glitches during the startup sequence, so if you’re lucky, this might work. It is also advised to clean your computer regularly using Outbyte PC Repair to prevent blue screen errors from happening.

If restarting your computer does not work, then you can try the following fixes to see if they will help:

Fix #1: Use Automated Repair.

If you’re getting the 0x0000185 error at every system startup and you noticed that it appears when loading your kernel files, there’s a high chance that some subsystem files are behind this error code.

In this scenario, the best way to resolve the issue is by using the recovery tools on your installation media to access the Automatic Repair utility. Some affected users have reported that doing this allowed them to boot their PC normally, without being halted by the 0x0000185 error.

Keep in mind that the process will require you to use compatible Windows Installation media. If you don’t have one at the ready, you will need to create an installation media for Windows 10/11.

If you already have compatible installation media, follow the steps below to use the Automated Repair utility and get past the stop error code 0x0000185:

1. Turn on your PC if it’s not already on.
2. Insert the Windows installation media into your PC and restart. If you are using a USB drive as an installation media, you will need to edit the boot order so that the system boots from the USB drive first.
3. Once your computer boots up, lookout for a black screen with the ‘Press any key to boot from the CD or DVD’ message. When you see this, press any key to boot from the installation media that you have inserted.
4. Click on the ‘Repair your Computer‘ hyperlink located at the lower side section of the screen.
5. After several seconds, you will be taken to the Troubleshoot menu where you can choose between multiple options. Select the Troubleshoot feature.
6. Choose Advanced Options from the list of recovery options.
7. After running the Automatic Repair utility, you will get a popup message where you will need to select the Windows OS that you are using.
8. Next, the utility will begin the scanning process and fix any errors that might be causing your PC to display this specific error code.
9. Once complete, remove the installation media and reboot your computer. During the restart, check if you’re able to boot up without the 0x0000185.

In case you’re still getting the 0x0000185 error, move down to the next potential solution below.

Fix #2: Rebuild the BCD data.

According to reports, this particular error code can also appear due to some kernel files ending up corrupting the Boot configuration data. Those who were struggling to resolve the 0x0000185 error have confirmed that rebuilding the BCD files with a series of commands helped fix the error.

Here’s a quick guide on what you need to do:

1. Turn on your computer and insert the installation media. Once inserted, restart your computer.
2. During boot up, wait until you see the initial black screen. Press any key when you see the ‘Press any key to boot from the CD or DVD’ message.
3. Press any key to boot from installation media.
4. Once you manage to boot from the installation media, click on the Repair your computer link found at the upper left corner of the screen. In some Windows versions, you can force your way into the repair menu without the installation media by forcing three consecutive disrupted restart.
5. In the initial repair menu, click Troubleshoot from the list of startup options, then choose Command Prompt from the Troubleshooting menu.
6. In the Command Prompt window, type in the following command then press Enter to rebuild the boot configuration data:
   • Bootrec /scanos
   • Bootrec /fixMBR
   • Bootrec /fixBoot
   • Bootrec /rebuildBCD
7. After the operation has been completed, close the Command Prompt window and restart your computer to check if the issue still occurs during the next startup.

Fix #3: Use System Restore.

As it turns out, the 0x0000185 error may occur due to recent operating system changes that ended up modifying the boot configuration data. If this is the case and the above steps did not resolve the issue, the best course of action now is to use System Restore to revert your system to a point before this problem occurred.

The System Restore is designed to regularly create snapshots that you can use to restore the computer state as a whole to the time when the snapshot was created. If you are lucky enough to have a snapshot created just before the error started occurring, you can fix the issue with minimal data loss.

By default, System Restore is configured to create restore points at important events, such as the installation of a Windows update, the updating of the driver version, and others. If you did not change this default behavior, you should have a lot of System Restore points to choose from.

Here’s a quick guide on how to use System Restore to resolve the 0x0000185 error:

1. Turn on your computer and insert the installation media. Once inserted, restart your computer.
2. During boot up, wait until you see the initial black screen. Press any key when you see the ‘Press any key to boot from the CD or DVD’ message.
3. Press any key to boot from installation media.
4. Once you manage to boot from the installation media, click on the Repair your computer link found at the upper left corner of the screen. In some Windows versions, you can force your way into the repair menu without the installation media by forcing three consecutive disrupted restart.
5. In the initial repair menu, click Troubleshoot from the list of startup options, then click on System Restore, which is the first option from the top.
6. Wait until the System Restore utility is fully loaded. Click Next to proceed to the next menu.
7. Next, tick off Show more restore points so you get an overview of all the restore points that you can use. Check the dates of each snapshot and choose one that is dated just before the 0x0000185 error code started occurring. With the correct restore point selected, click Next to proceed to the final menu.
8. Once you get here, the utility is ready to go. Click Yes at the confirmation prompt to begin the restoring process. After several minutes, your computer will restart and your computer will be restored to its previous state.

If the same error is still happening, move down to the final solution below.

Fix #4: Perform a Repair Install / Clean Install.

If none of the methods above resolved the 0x0000185 BSOD error, it is most likely because there is an underlying system corruption issue that cannot be fixed conventionally. If this is the case, the only possible fix is to reset every OS component that might be triggering the problem.

You have two ways to do this:

• Repair install – This is a more tedious method that requires using compatible installation media. But the benefit of going this route is that it refreshes all OS components while keeping your personal data, games, applications, and even some user preferences.
• Clean install – This operation is simpler and doesn’t require you to insert an installation media. But unless you manage to back up your files in advance, the process will remove everything that’s stored on your PC.

If you can’t get past the startup screen, it is recommended that you proceed with a repair install in order to prevent any data loss.

If all else fails

If you still have problems booting your PC after completing the above steps, format the drive and reinstall Windows. Back up any important information on the drive, because this process wipes the drive.