Question:

How to fix Windows boot failure from USB with error code 0xc0000225 and input devices not working?

I have a custom-built PC that fails to boot Windows normally and shuts down after a few seconds. I tried to use the Windows recovery environment, but it showed me an error code 0xc0000225, indicating a problem with the Windows system files. I downloaded Windows 10 on a USB drive and tried to boot from it, but when the boot from USB screen appeared, my keyboard and mouse stopped working and I could not proceed. The keyboard and mouse are still connected and functional until that point. I checked the BIOS settings and everything seems to be fine. What could be the cause of this issue and how can I resolve it? (English is not my native language, so please excuse any mistakes)

Answer:

If you have a custom-built PC that fails to boot Windows normally and shuts down after a few seconds, you may encounter an error code 0xc0000225, indicating a problem with the Windows system files. This error can prevent you from accessing the Windows recovery environment or booting from a USB drive. Moreover, you may also experience that your keyboard and mouse stop working when you try to boot from USB, making it impossible to proceed. This article will explain the possible causes of this issue and how to resolve it.

What causes error code 0xc0000225 and input devices not working?

Error code 0xc0000225 is a common boot error that occurs when the Windows Boot Manager cannot find the system files required to start Windows. This can happen due to various reasons, such as:

• Corrupted or missing boot files
• Damaged or incompatible hardware
• Incorrect BIOS settings
• Malware infection
• Power outage or improper shutdown

When you try to boot from a USB drive, you may also encounter that your keyboard and mouse stop working. This can be caused by:

• Faulty or outdated USB drivers
• Insufficient power supply to the USB ports
• Incompatible USB mode or legacy support in BIOS
• Conflicting USB devices or hubs

How to fix error code 0xc0000225 and input devices not working?

To fix error code 0xc0000225 and input devices not working, you need to perform some troubleshooting steps. Here are some possible solutions:

• Repair the boot files using a Windows installation media. You can create a Windows installation media on another PC using a USB drive or a DVD. Then, insert the media into your PC and boot from it. You may need to change the boot order in BIOS to do so. Once you see the Windows setup screen, choose your language and click Next. Then, click Repair your computer and select Troubleshoot. From there, you can choose Startup Repair or Command Prompt to repair the boot files. If you choose Command Prompt, you can use the following commands to rebuild the boot configuration data (BCD):

“`

bootrec /fixmbr

bootrec /fixboot

bootrec /scanos

bootrec /rebuildbcd

“`

• Update or reinstall the USB drivers. If your keyboard and mouse stop working when you try to boot from USB, you may need to update or reinstall the USB drivers. To do this, you need to access the Device Manager from the Windows recovery environment or the Windows installation media. From there, you can expand the Universal Serial Bus controllers category and right-click on each USB device. Then, you can choose Update driver or Uninstall device. If you uninstall the device, you need to restart your PC and let Windows reinstall the driver automatically.
• Check the power supply to the USB ports. Sometimes, the USB ports may not receive enough power to function properly, especially if you have multiple USB devices connected. To fix this, you can try to disconnect any unnecessary USB devices or hubs and use only the essential ones. You can also try to use different USB ports or a powered USB hub. Additionally, you can check the power settings in BIOS and make sure that the USB ports are not disabled or set to low power mode.
• Change the USB mode or legacy support in BIOS. Depending on your PC model and BIOS version, you may have different options for the USB mode or legacy support. These options affect how the USB devices are recognized and initialized by the BIOS and the operating system. To fix the issue, you can try to change the USB mode or legacy support in BIOS and see which one works for you. For example, you can try to enable or disable USB legacy support, or switch between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 modes.
• Scan your PC for malware. Malware can cause various problems on your PC, including boot errors and input devices not working. To scan your PC for malware, you need to use a reliable antivirus software. You can either use the Windows Defender Offline scan from the Windows recovery environment or the Windows installation media, or use a bootable antivirus media from another PC. Once you scan your PC for malware, you can remove any detected threats and restart your PC.

Conclusion

Error

code 0xc0000225 and input devices not working are common issues that can prevent you from booting Windows normally or from a USB drive. To fix these issues, you need to repair the boot files, update or reinstall the USB drivers, check the power supply to the USB ports, change the USB mode or legacy support in BIOS, and scan your PC for malware. By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the issue and boot your PC successfully.