This guide is designed to help diagnose and resolve the error “Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object” that applies to Windows 10 users. It will outline the steps necessary to help fix this common and often vexing error message.
Symptoms of Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object
When the error message “Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object” appears, a user may observe the following windows error messages :
- “Windows failed to open handle to Bootmgr Object”
- “Chkdsk failed to open handle to Bootmgr Object”
- “Bootsect failed to open handle to Bootmgr Object”
- “Diskpart failed to open handle to Bootmgr Object”
- “Windows failed to start due to an error opening a handle to Bootmgr Object”
In some cases, the error message may appear when a user attempts to run an application, start Windows, or use a command line utility.
Causes of Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object
The “Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object” error is typically caused by one of the following reasons:
- Corrupted windows boot files (Boot.ini, Ntdetect.com, etc)
- A damaged or incorrectly configured hard disk drive
- Issues with the hard disk components (cables, adapters, etc)
- An incorrect or missing partitioning or boot manager
- Outdated or missing device drivers
How to Fix Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object
To fix the problem, you should start the troubleshooting process by verifying that the issue is not caused by any of the possible issues outlined above. If a user finds that their system files are intact and free of errors, then you can move on to the steps below.
1. Perform a Disk Check (Chkdsk)
When attempting to fix this error, one of the first steps to take is to run a disk check. This will help identify any errors on the computer’s hard drive and may aid in resolving the boot manager error. To run a disk check, follow these steps:
- Open the “Start” menu
- Type “cmd” into the search bar
- Right-click on the “Command Prompt” app
- Select “Run as Administrator”
- When the command prompt window appears, type in the following command:
chkdsk /f /r- Press the “Enter” key to execute the command
The scan will begin and will check the integrity of all files on the computer’s hard drive.
2. Verify that the Partition Entry is Correct
The partition entry in the “Boot.ini” file should match the drive letter of the partition on which Windows is installed. To verify that the entry is correct, follow these steps:
- Open the “Start” menu
- Type “cmd” into the search bar
- Right-click on the “Command Prompt” app
- Select “Run as Administrator”
- When the command prompt window appears, type in the following commands:
cd /d C:\notepad boot.ini- Make sure that the entry for “default=” matches the drive letter for the partition on which Windows is installed
- If the drive letter does not match, then change it to the correct drive letter
- Save the changes to the file
3. Repair Boot Files
If the disk check and partition entry were successful, then you can proceed to repairing the boot files. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the “Start” menu
- Type “cmd” into the search bar
- Right-click on the “Command Prompt” app
- Select “Run as Administrator”
- When the command prompt window appears, type in the following commands:
bootrec /fixmbrbootrec /fixbootbootrec /scanosbootrec /rebuildbcd- Press the “Enter” key to execute the commands
The repair process should then complete.
4. Verify the Boot Configuration
If the steps above were successful, then you should verify the Boot configuration in the system. To do this, follow these steps:
- Open the “Start” menu
- Type “msconfig” into the search bar
- Right-click on the “System Configuration” app
- Select “Run as Administrator”
- When the system configuration window appears, click on the “Boot” tab
- Make sure that the entry for “default=” matches the drive letter for the partition on which Windows is installed
- If the drive letter does not match, then change it to the correct drive letter
- Save the changes to the configuration
FAQs
Q: What is the Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object error?
A: The Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object error is typically caused by a corrupted Windows boot file, a damaged or incorrectly configured hard disk drive, issues with hard disk components, an incorrect or missing partition or boot manager, or outdated or missing device drivers.
Q: What are the symptoms of the Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object error?
A: When the error occurs, a user may observe the following windows error messages: "Windows failed to open handle to Bootmgr Object," "Chkdsk failed to open handle to Bootmgr Object," "Bootsect failed to open handle to Bootmgr Object," "Diskpart failed to open handle to Bootmgr Object," and "Windows failed to start due to an error opening a handle to Bootmgr Object."
Q: How can I fix the Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object error?
A: To fix the error, you should start the troubleshooting process by running a disk check, verifying that the partition is correct, and repairing the boot files. After this is completed, you should verify the boot configuration in the system.
Q: Is there any potential risk in running the commands to fix the Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object error?
A: There is a potential risk in running the commands necessary to fix this error. It is important to backup any important data before running these commands.
Q: What should I do if the error persists after trying the steps to fix the Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object error?
A: If the error persists after trying the steps outlined in this guide, then it is possible that the issue could be caused by hardware failure, such as a faulty hard drive orRAM. It is recommended that you consult a professional or take your computer to a repair shop to have the issue Diagnosed.
Conclusion
The “Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object” error can be difficult to troubleshoot, but with the right steps, you can have your system up and running again in no time.
Using the above steps, you can check the integrity of your system files, verify that the partition entry is correct, repair boot files, and verify the boot configuration in the system. If the error persists after trying these steps, it is possible that the issue could be caused by a hardware failure and a professional should be consulted.
For more information on fixing the “Failed to Open Handle to Bootmgr Object” error, please refer to the following sources: