Fix STATUS_ACPI_INCORRECT_ARGUMENT_COUNT (0xC014000B)

Quick answer

Reflash your BIOS to the same or newer version. That fixes 90% of these errors. If you can't boot, clear CMOS and try again.

What's going on here?

This error means an ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) method — basically a small script in your motherboard's firmware — was called with the wrong number of arguments. That's a firmware bug, not a Windows problem. It usually happens after a failed or partial BIOS update, overclocking that corrupts ACPI tables, or a buggy firmware version from the manufacturer. You'll see this on boot, often as a BSOD with 0xC014000B before Windows even loads. Or you might get an ACPI error in Event Viewer (ID 5 or 6) after boot if it happens during runtime.

Fix steps

Clear CMOS. Power off, unplug, remove the motherboard battery for 30 seconds, put it back. This resets all UEFI variables including ACPI tables. Try booting after that.
Flash the BIOS again. Download the latest stable BIOS from your motherboard vendor's website (not beta). Use a USB drive formatted FAT32. Enter the BIOS setup (usually F2, DEL, or F10 on boot), find the flash tool, and flash from USB. Do NOT interrupt the process — that's how this mess starts.
If you can't boot at all: Many modern boards have a USB Flashback or Q-Flash Plus port. Plug the USB into that specific port, press the flashback button (check your manual), and it'll flash without needing the CPU or RAM to be fully functional.
Disable any overclocking. Go into BIOS and set everything to default. XMP profiles sometimes mess with ACPI tables on finicky boards. Disable XMP temporarily and see if the error goes away.
Run Windows Memory Diagnostic. Bad RAM can corrupt ACPI data during boot. Let it run for a full pass. If it finds errors, replace the stick.

Alternative fixes if the main one fails

If reflashing and CMOS clear didn't work, try these:

Downgrade the BIOS. Sometimes the latest version has this bug. Flash a slightly older stable release. Check the board's support page for known issues.
Disable ACPI in Windows. This is a last-ditch workaround. Boot into Safe Mode (hammer F8 or Shift + Restart from Windows Recovery), then open Device Manager, expand System devices, and disable Microsoft ACPI-Compliant System. Warning: This kills sleep/hibernate and some power functions, but might let you boot normally.
Use a Linux live USB. If you can boot Linux, the error is firmware-specific. You can then dump the ACPI tables with acpidump to diagnose the exact method. But honestly, reflash the BIOS — it's faster.

Prevention tip

Never update the BIOS with the computer plugged into a flaky UPS or during a thunderstorm. Use only updates from the board maker's official site. Don't grab them from third-party driver update tools — those are how you get corrupted binaries. Also, if you see a BIOS update listed as “beta” or “experimental,” skip it. Stick with the stable branch. And keep a USB stick with your current BIOS version handy. If this ever happens again, you'll thank yourself.

For the command-line types

If you can get to a command prompt in Windows Recovery, you can try disabling ACPI dynamically:

bcdedit /set {current} acpi off

Then reboot. If it works, the system will boot without ACPI support — slow and limited, but enough to flash the BIOS properly. Don't forget to re-enable it after fixing the firmware:

bcdedit /deletevalue {current} acpi