NTLDR is the boot loader for all recent versions of the Windows operating system, and is usually located in the root directory of the active partition on the first boot drive. If the NTLDR file is missing or corrupt, then the loading process stops and the "NTLDR is missing" error screen appears.
The most common reason for this error is when the computer tries to boot from a hard drive or flash drive that is not properly configured to boot. In other words, you are trying to boot from a non-bootable source.
Other possible causes include corrupted and misconfigured files , hard drive and operating system update problems, corrupt hard drive sectors, an outdated BIOS, and damaged or loose IDE cables.
Restart the computer
First of all, restart the PC. The missing NTLDR error could be due to the Windows operating system not starting correctly. Perhaps it was an isolated system error .
Disconnect all removable media
This problem is often caused by the BIOS trying to load from a non-bootable external drive. So you can try disconnecting all external drives, and removing all removable media , such as CD / DVD, memory cards, and USB devices to ensure that the BIOS does not try to load the operating system from any of them.
Change the BIOS boot order
You can check and change the BIOS boot order to make sure the PC tries to load from an internal hard drive first.
The steps to do so are as follows:
- Restart the PC.
- Press the necessary key to open the BIOS menu. This key depends on the computer manufacturer and the computer model. If the screen displays multiple keys, look for the key to open "BIOS," "setup," or "BIOS menu."
- Use the arrow keys to select the Boot tab.
- Move the hard drive to the top of the priority list.
Update the motherboard BIOS
The NTLDR error may be due to an outdated basic input / output system (BIOS) on your computer. Check that the latest BIOS revision is installed on your computer. If not, you should contact your PC manufacturer to ask how to obtain it, and then install the latest available BIOS update.
Checks all internal power and data cables
The error in Windows 10 could be caused by loose or malfunctioning SATA cables . Try replacing the SATA cable on the hard drive with a new one if you suspect it may be faulty. If your hard drive is an M.2 SSD, check that there is no dirt in the slot that prevents good contact.
Rebuild the MBR
If the Master Boot Record (MBR) is corrupt, a missing NTLDR problem may occur. In this case, the only solution is to repair the MBR from a Windows 10 installation media.
Reinstall Windows 10
Reinstalling Windows will almost certainly resolve any missing NTLDR errors , but will remove all of your data from your computer. Therefore, it is recommended to make a backup of all the necessary data before reinstalling Windows. You can run a Linux distribution from a pendrive to be able to access the data on the hard drive and keep it in a safe place.
Replace the main hard drive
Replacing the hard drive should be the last solution you should try. If you still get the NTLDR is missing error after reinstalling Windows, it is most likely a hardware problem with your hard drive.