▷ How to fix PC repair error / device 0xc0000221

As usual, error code 0xc0000221 is found right after the computer does not boot. Most users report that this does not happen on every boot attempt, but several users are reporting that they are stuck in an automatic repair loop with this error code.

Error code: 0xc0000221 Su PC / device needs to be repaired

Error codes that start with “0x” generally point to a system-level corruption problem. However, with this particular error code, the error may also be hardware related (a newly inserted RAM or insufficient power).

What is causing the error code 0xc0000221?

After researching the topic and observing many different symptoms of the same error, we discovered a couple different culprits that could generate the error code 0x0000221:

• Hardware problem created by new RAM or hard drive: there are a couple of reported cases where users started getting this error after inserting a second RAM or connecting a new slave hard drive.

• Secondary GPU: the problem is sometimes reported on computers that have an SLI or CrossFire configuration.

• The power supply cannot supply enough power: this behavior can occur if the power supply is not large enough to support all connected devices.

• System file corruption: the error code points to a system-level problem that has to do with file corruption.

• Third-party service is interrupting startup: Cases have been reported where the error was caused by a rogue third-party service that ended up producing a BSOD crash.

How to Repair Error Code 0xc0000221

If you are actively looking for some troubleshooting steps to help you bypass error code 0xc0000221, we have facilitated it. Here is a collection of possible solutions that other users in a similar scenario have used successfully to solve the problem.

For best results, follow the methods listed below in the order presented, sorted by efficiency and severity. Start with the first method and work your way to the next until you find a solution that is effective in solving the problem for you..

Method 1: start in safe mode

Let's start our troubleshooting search by making sure the matter is not facilitated by a fraudulent service that is facilitating the blocking of the BSOD.. We can ensure that the problem is not caused by third-party interference by starting the system in Safe Mode..

While in safe mode, the computer will boot into a limited state with only the basic files and drivers required for the boot process. If your computer boots fine in Safe Mode, we can determine that the problem is due to some software that you previously installed.

Here is a quick guide on how to boot into safe mode and identify the process that is causing the BSOD crash:

1. If you can't get past the home screen, You can force the Advanced Boot Options screen to appear by forcing two or three consecutive interrupts during the boot process. You can easily do this by restarting your PC during the startup phase. Provokes 3 Consecutive boot interrupts to access the advanced boot menu

   Note: If you can complete the boot process, you can also open the Configuration Recovery tab by opening a Run dialog (tecla de Windows + R) and typing »ms-settings: recovery«. Later, just click the Restart Now button in Advanced Startup and your computer will restart directly in the Advanced Startup Options menu.

   Reboot in the Advanced Boot Options menu

2. On the Advanced Boot Options screen, select Troubleshooting and then click Advanced Options.

3. Inside Advanced Options, click Startup Settings and then click Restart button. Click Restart to open the Startup Settings menu

4. When I go back to startup settings, press F4, F5 or F6 to start in one of the three available safe modes.

5. If your computer successfully boots into Safe Mode, an app service you recently installed is likely causing the BSOD. In this point, you can start uninstalling recently installed programs that you think may be causing the problem, or you can use this guide (here) to systematically exclude programs and services from the startup process until you can find the culprit.

If you have the same BSOD crash when booting into safe mode, continue with next method.

Method 2: perform an SFC scan, CHKDSK y DISM

Now let's make sure that the error code 0xc0000221 does not occur due to a corrupted system file by running a couple of built-in utilities designed to repair Windows file corruption..

Various users struggling with the same issue have managed to solve it by solving system file corruption using SFC scans, CHKDSK o DISM. This procedure may take a while, so please be patient and don't interrupt the process until it is complete.

Here's a quick guide to performing SFC and DISM scans:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Then type »cmd» and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter to open an elevated command prompt. When prompted UAC (User account control), choose Yes to grant administrator privileges. Run the dialog: cmd and press Ctrl + Shift + Enter

   Note: If you can't get past the home screen, follow the step 1 of the Method 1 to enter the Advanced Boot Options menu and then go to Troubleshoot> Advanced Options> Symbol of the system.

2. At the elevated command prompt, type the following command to start an SFC scan:

    sfc /scannow 

   Note: This utility will scan your system for damage and replace the corrupted Windows file with locally cached copies.

3. Once the process is complete, restart your computer and see if the error code 0xc0000221 no longer appears. If it still is, follow the step 1 again to return to an elevated command prompt and type the following command:

    chkdsk /f C: 

   Note: This utility will scan your disk and repair any errors it finds. Note that you must change the letter C to the letter of your drive if your operating system is elsewhere.

4. When the repair strategy is complete, reboot your machine and see if it passes the boot screen. If the same error is repeated, go back to elevated command prompt using step 1 and type the following command:

   dism /online /cleanup-image /restorehealth

   Note: This utility will replace any corrupted Windows files with fresh copies downloaded from Microsoft's server.. It is important that you have a stable internet connection before starting this analysis..

5. Restart the computer and see if the error is resolved on the next startup, otherwise, proceed to the next method below.

Method 3: Checking RAM for Problems

RAM memory devices are often identified as the culprits when it comes to error code 0xc0000221. RAM problems can be difficult to identify, as even some of the best testing utilities may not catch all errors, like memory mismatch errors.

The best and simplest strategy to check if the RAM modules are responsible for the error is to open the PC and remove one of the modules. (if two bars of RAM are used).

If the computer is starting up fine with a single RAM, try swapping the position of the two RAMs; sometimes problems occur when the fastest memory is placed behind the slowest.

If you suspect there are problems with one or both RAM modules, you can run a MemTest on them, but be sure to let it run for at least 5 hours to get a conclusive result.

If you managed to remove your RAM modules from the culprit list, continue below with next method.

Method 4: remove secondary GPU and external hard drives or SSD

Other users have reported that they have managed to clear error code 0xc0000221 by disconnecting all unnecessary devices. It is very possible that this problem occurs because your power supply does not have enough power to sustain all the connected devices.

Let's check if this theory is true by disconnecting all unnecessary devices: secondary hard drive, external hard drive, DVD optical drive, second GPU SLI (the CrossFire configuration), non-critical peripherals.

Once your PC is down, turn on your computer and see if the system manages to get past the startup screen. If your computer manages to boot without error code 0xc0000221, systematically reconnect nonessential components until you can identify the culprit.

If this method is not applicable, continue then with the next method.

Method 5: use a previous system restore point

Several users have reported that this problem started to occur right after Windows Update (WU) will complete the installation of a major operating system update. If a failed Windows Update update is causing random BSOD crashes with error code 0xc0000221, you may be able to solve the problem using a system restore point.

System Restore is a Windows feature that will allow you to correct a wide range of crashes by restoring the state of your machine to an earlier time. Hopefully, we will use it to restore the computer to a healthy state in which error code 0xc0000221 did not occur.

Unless you have changed the default behavior yourself, your operating system should have created a system restore point just before the update responsible for the error was applied. Here is a quick guide on using System Restore to resolve error code 0xc0000221:

1. Press the Windows key + R to open the Run dialog. Then type »rstrui» and hit Enter to open the System Restore wizard. Run Dialog Box: rstrui

2. On the first System Restore screen, click Next to advance to the Restore Point section.

3. On the next screen, be sure to check the box associated with Show more restore points to see all available restore points. Enable the Show more restore points box and click Next

4. Later, select a restore point that is prior to the occurrence of error code 0xc0000221 and click the Next button again.

5. Click Finish and confirm one last time by clicking Yes to start the System Restore process.

6. After a couple of minutes, your computer will restart and the previous state will be restored. If everything goes fine, your machine should no longer crash with error code 0xc0000221.

If you did not have a proper system restore point or this method was not applicable, continue below with next method.

Method 6: perform a repair installation

If none of the methods presented above has allowed you to avoid the error 0xc0000221, you may need to start considering a clean install. But before you do and lose all your personal data, there is a better option that will allow you to keep your personal files and applications.

A repair installation will replace any broken Windows components that may be causing the error with fresh copies.. But unlike a clean install, a repair installation will not delete the user's personal files (like photos, song, videos) or third party applications.

If you decide to perform a repair installation, you can follow our step by step guide using this guide (here).