Windows boot error 0xc000000e (required device isn't connected or can't be accessed)

The problem: Windows cannot boot because it cannot access the required boot device.

Symptoms: Boot screen shows 0xc000000e; 'required device isn't connected or can't be accessed'; boot loop into recovery.

Likely cause: Disk/controller access issue, BCD pointing to wrong device, or EFI/boot files corruption.

Category: Boot & Startup · Difficulty: Advanced · Windows: Both · Error code: 0xc000000e

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