How to Fix “BOOTMGR is Missing” Error in Windows 7 (11 Solutions)

If you encounter the dreaded “BOOTMGR is missing” error message when trying to boot up your Windows 7 computer, don’t panic. This frustrating issue can be caused by a variety of factors, from corrupted system files to hardware problems. However, with the right troubleshooting steps, you can often resolve the issue and get your system back up and running.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through 11 proven solutions to fix the “BOOTMGR is missing” error in Windows 7. Whether you’re a tech-savvy user or a beginner, these step-by-step instructions will help you identify and address the root cause of the problem.

Solution 1: Restart Your Desktop or Laptop

When you encounter the “BOOTMGR is missing” error, the first thing you should try is restarting your computer. Sometimes, this simple action can resolve temporary glitches or issues with the boot process.

To restart your computer, follow these steps:

1. Press the Ctrl Alt Del keys simultaneously.
2. Select the “Restart” option from the menu.
3. Wait for your computer to reboot and see if the error persists.

If restarting doesn’t fix the issue, move on to the next solution.

Solution 2: Remove All Removable Media

The “BOOTMGR is missing” error can sometimes occur if your computer is configured to boot from a non-bootable external device, such as a USB flash drive or an external hard drive.

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Shut down your computer.
2. Disconnect all removable media devices, such as USB drives, external hard drives, or optical discs.
3. Restart your computer and see if the error persists.

If the error message still appears, move on to the next solution.

Solution 3: Change Boot Order in BIOS

If your computer is still booting from a non-bootable device, you may need to change the boot order in your BIOS settings.

To change the boot order in BIOS:

1. Restart your computer and press the appropriate key (usually F2, F10, or Del) to enter the BIOS setup.
2. Navigate to the “Boot” or “Boot Order” section.
3. Ensure that your system hard drive is listed as the first boot device.
4. Save the changes and exit BIOS.
5. Restart your computer and see if the error persists.

If the issue remains, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 4: Repair Master Boot Record (MBR)

The “BOOTMGR is missing” error can also occur due to a corrupted or damaged Master Boot Record (MBR). To repair the MBR, you’ll need to use a Windows 7 installation disc or a system repair disc.

To repair the MBR:

1. Insert the Windows 7 installation disc or system repair disc into your computer.
2. Boot from the disc and select your language preferences.
3. Click on “Repair your computer” in the System Recovery Options menu.
4. Select “Command Prompt” from the list of recovery tools.
5. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
   • bootrec /fixmbr
   • bootrec /fixboot
   • bootrec /rebuildbcd
6. Exit the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

If the error persists, move on to the next solution.

Solution 5: Mark Partition as Active

In some cases, the “BOOTMGR is missing” error can occur if the system partition is not marked as active. You can use the DiskPart utility to mark the partition as active.

To mark the partition as active:

1. Boot from a Windows 7 installation disc or system repair disc.
2. Select “Repair your computer” in the System Recovery Options menu.
3. Select “Command Prompt” from the list of recovery tools.
4. In the Command Prompt window, type the following commands and press Enter after each one:
   • diskpart
   • list disk
   • select disk 0
   • list partition
   • select partition 1
   • active
   • exit
5. Exit the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

If the error persists, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 6: Test Your Hard Drive

A faulty hard drive can also cause the “BOOTMGR is missing” error. You can use the Windows 7 installation disc or system repair disc to run a diagnostic test on your hard drive.

To test your hard drive:

1. Boot from the Windows 7 installation disc or system repair disc.
2. Select “Repair your computer” in the System Recovery Options menu.
3. Select “Command Prompt” from the list of recovery tools.
4. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
   • chkdsk /r
5. Wait for the chkdsk utility to complete the scan and repair process.
6. Exit the Command Prompt and restart your computer.

If the error persists, move on to the next solution.

Solution 7: Run Windows Startup Repair

The Windows Startup Repair tool can help diagnose and fix various boot-related issues, including the “BOOTMGR is missing” error.

To run Startup Repair:

1. Boot from the Windows 7 installation disc or system repair disc.
2. Select “Repair your computer” in the System Recovery Options menu.
3. Select “Startup Repair” from the list of recovery tools.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the repair process.
5. Restart your computer and see if the error persists.

If the issue remains, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 8: Reseat All Internal Data and Power Cables

In some cases, loose or faulty internal cables can cause the “BOOTMGR is missing” error. Make sure to reseat all data and power cables connected to your hard drive and other internal components.

To reseat the cables:

1. Shut down your computer and unplug the power cable.
2. Open the computer case and locate the data and power cables connected to your hard drive.
3. Gently disconnect and reconnect each cable, ensuring a secure connection.
4. Close the computer case and plug in the power cable.
5. Turn on your computer and see if the error persists.

If the issue remains, move on to the next solution.

Solution 9: Run System File Checker

The System File Checker (SFC) utility can help scan and repair corrupted system files, which may be causing the “BOOTMGR is missing” error.

To run the SFC utility:

1. Boot from the Windows 7 installation disc or system repair disc.
2. Select “Repair your computer” in the System Recovery Options menu.
3. Select “Command Prompt” from the list of recovery tools.
4. In the Command Prompt window, type the following command and press Enter:
   • sfc /scannow
5. Wait for the SFC utility to complete the scan and repair process.
6. Restart your computer and see if the error persists.

If the issue remains, proceed to the next solution.

Solution 10: Perform a System Restore

If you recently made changes to your system that may have caused the “BOOTMGR is missing” error, you can try restoring your computer to a previous restore point.

To perform a System Restore:

1. Boot from the Windows 7 installation disc or system repair disc.
2. Select “Repair your computer” in the System Recovery Options menu.
3. Select “System Restore” from the list of recovery tools.
4. Follow the on-screen instructions to select a restore point and complete the restore process.
5. Restart your computer and see if the error persists.

If the issue remains, move on to the final solution.

Solution 11: Perform a Clean Install of Windows 7

If none of the above solutions work, you may need to perform a clean install of Windows 7. This will erase all data on your computer, so make sure to back up any important files before proceeding.

To perform a clean install:

1. Insert the Windows 7 installation disc into your computer.
2. Boot from the disc and follow the on-screen instructions to begin the installation process.
3. Select the “Custom” installation option.
4. Follow the prompts to format your hard drive and install a fresh copy of Windows 7.
5. Once the installation is complete, restore any backed-up data and reinstall your programs.