Indicators before Ntoskrnl.exe Missing or Corrupt Error Occurs
First, ntoskrnl.exe is a short form for – Windows New Technology OS system kernel. Some vital services that it performed are:
- The virtualization of hardware
- The management and processing of memory
Both procedures above are labeled as NTLDR and NTDETECT respectively and corresponding bootable files load at startup in the form of subroutines that detect hardware before conveying the process to ntoskrnl.exe. After, the OS loads files for a startup.
In case the file toskrnl.exe is inaccessible corrupt or missing, boot process halts and Windows should display an error as seen below:
With the boot process terminated, you have to troubleshoot by finding feasible solutions to the error.
Here is Comprehensive List Why Ntoskrnl.exe Missing or Corrupt Error Occurs
The error – Ntoskrnl.exe Missing or Corrupt Error arises from a host of reasons, as shown below:
- A configuration that is Invalid for boot.ini where the boot loader fails to locate it, either by searching the incorrect disk drive or partition.
- Corrupted boot volumes within the boot partition. Causes include incorrect shutdowns or unplugging of storage drives. This may happen to both file systems- FAT32 and NTFS.
- A corrupted ntoskrnl.exe file, and also deletion of it.
- Conflicting drivers with peripherals like keyboards- leads to wrong mapping within memory.
- Inaccessible drivers for the hard disk controllers. It may arise from aborted updates, changes in BIOS setting, and hardware configurations.
Proposed Solutions to resolve the error- Ntoskrnl.exe Missing or Corrupt Error
Solution 1. Replace ntoskrnl.exe file With Installation Media
Follow the following steps to replace the ntoskrnl.exe file.
- This process requires that the CD-ROM is set as the boot priority number 1. Therefore, before proceeding, ensure that it is in place, and insert the CD-ROM into the system. Press the power button to restart your PC
- When the booting process is underway, the system will trigger or show the message:
Press any key to boot from the CD. It allows you to allow the boot process by hitting any key on your keyboard. You can do with Return/Enter or the Space Key. Hold on for a while the setup files are reading and loading from the CD-ROM. Next, press the R key on your keyboard. That will activate the Recovery Console.
- Proceed to select the operating system requiring the fixing of the ntoskrnl.exe file and provide the system password and hit the Enter key to proceed. Note: system prompts you to submit passwords if you had set them earlier.
- While in the recovery console key in the following command and hit Enter when done.
expand d:i386ntoskrnl.ex_ c:windowssystem32
- The system will request whether you want to overwrite the ntoskrnl.exe file. To confirm, press the Y on your keyboard and follow it with the Enter key.
- When you press Enter, the system will overwrite and replace the faulty/ corrupt ntoskrnl.exe file with a fresh one from the CD-ROM you provided, when the system is done, in loops back to the Command prompt. To exit the command prompt, simply just type the name Exit and Enter.
Tip: To exit the Command prompt, you can also use the X button on the top-right of the window.
When the file replacement for the ntoskrnl.exe file is successful, Windows will carry on and restart normally.
Solution 2. Repair the Bad Sectors within the Hard Drive
Most probably, the missing the ntoskrnl.exe file may have itself among other files corrupted. Therefore, it makes sense to do an overall repair of all corrupt files. So this procedure will help you repair the ntoskrnl.exe file and others too. By the way, you can recover lost data from the damaged hard drive with Wondershare Recoverit.
- Proceed and Insert the Windows OS CD and reboot the PC.
- While the computer is restarting, you’ll receive the notification: Press any key to boot from the CD. Hit either your spacebar of the enter key to say okay.
- Wait as the setup files load, and proceed to press the R key on the keyboard-that takes you to the Windows Recovery Console.
- Make sure you select the OS you require to be repaired. Provide the Admin passwords if you had provided them earlier and press Enter to progress.
- Once the Windows recovery console is up, key in the following command: CHKDSK /r and proceed to press the enter key. What this command effect is to scan, locate, and repair all the bad sectors within the drive.
- Once the repair is entirely successful, the PC will prompt you back to the command. Exit by typing exit and press enter. Note: If the file fix was successful, windows prompt a restart which should usually start without the error.
Solution 3. Check and Clean Viruses
Some viruses have hard effects on your system, especially if you spend above average time web surfer.
Viruses sprawling for crucial details and passwords can alter the NToskrnl.exe files, causing the startup problem.
Keep updated antivirus software or schedule the system to trigger auto-scans.
It’s therefore critical to keep your system covered by credible antivirus software. More importantly, adhere to scheduled scanning of the system files and other helpful security protocols.
Issues from viruses may be complicated. The databases of recognized breaches are humongous, and it’s an issue you require to pay priority to for the overall best performance of the Operating System and the applications you run.
While some versions of OS’s have built-in tools, it’s great to create another level on cover from antivirus software.
Bonus Tip. Carry Out a Repair of the Computer Registry
The NToskrnl.exe is in constant use by other applications, and that happens under instruction from the computer registry.
A host of many errors is generated from the process, and that’s where you require the Registry cleaning tool to resolve them. In the end, the PC can perform more smoothly and faster.
Parting shot
Ntoskrnl.exe Missing or Corrupt Error is classified as a startup error. Once you spot it, you should not panic. Compose yourself and understand that it’s an error you can resolve by following any of the solutions proposed above.
The data is safe inside your computer, and all that is required is to rectify the file, and everything should run in good order.