There Is No Boot Device Found Windows 11/10 [Fix]
Seeing the “No Boot Device Found” error on your Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC can be frustrating, especially when your computer suddenly refuses to start. This error usually appears when the system BIOS or UEFI cannot detect a valid bootable drive that contains Windows. In simple terms, your PC cannot find the operating system files needed to launch Windows.
The issue can happen on desktops and laptops from brands like Dell, HP, Lenovo, ASUS, and Acer. In many cases, the problem appears after a failed Windows update, BIOS reset, SSD upgrade, corrupted boot files, or hardware connection issues.
In this guide, you will learn several proven methods to fix the No Boot Device Found error in Windows 11 and Windows 10 step by step.
Why does the No Boot Device Found Error Happen?
Your computer depends on a storage drive, usually an SSD or hard drive, to load Windows during startup. If the motherboard cannot communicate properly with the drive, or if the Windows boot files become corrupted, the PC displays a boot device error.
Common causes include:
- Corrupted boot configuration data
- Incorrect BIOS or UEFI settings
- Damaged SSD or HDD
- Loose SATA or NVMe connections
- Failed Windows updates
- Accidental partition changes
- UEFI and Legacy boot mode conflicts
- Missing or corrupted system files
Now let’s go through the fixes one by one.
There Is No Boot Device Found Windows 11/10 [Fix]
To fix the No Boot Device Found error in Windows 11 or Windows 10, first restart your computer and check whether the hard drive or SSD is detected in BIOS/UEFI. If the drive appears, repair the Windows boot files using Startup Repair or Command Prompt from Windows Recovery Environment. You should also verify the boot order, switch between UEFI and Legacy mode if necessary, and check the internal storage connections. If the drive is not detected at all, the SSD or hard drive may be damaged and could require replacement.
Step 1: Restart Your Computer Properly
Sometimes the error is temporary and caused by a failed startup sequence. A complete restart can help refresh the hardware detection process.
Turn off your PC completely. If it is frozen on the error screen, hold the power button for about 10 seconds until the system shuts down.
Disconnect all external devices connected to the computer, including USB drives, external hard disks, memory cards, printers, and docking stations. In some cases, the BIOS mistakenly tries to boot from an external device instead of the internal Windows drive.
Wait for around 30 seconds and turn the computer back on.
If Windows loads normally after restarting, the issue was likely caused by a temporary detection problem. If the error returns, continue with the next method.
Step 2: Check if the SSD or Hard Drive Is Detected in BIOS
One of the most important troubleshooting steps is confirming whether the internal storage drive appears in BIOS or UEFI firmware.
Restart the computer and repeatedly press the BIOS access key during startup. Depending on your PC manufacturer, the key may be F2, F10, F12, ESC, or Delete.
Once you enter BIOS or UEFI settings, look for sections like:
Storage
Boot
System Information
NVMe Configuration
SATA Configuration
Check whether your SSD or hard drive is listed.
If the drive appears correctly, the hardware is likely fine, and the problem is related to Windows boot files or boot settings.
If the drive does not appear at all, the issue may involve:
A loose SSD or SATA cable
A failed SSD or hard drive
A damaged motherboard slot
A power connection issue
Laptop users may need to reseat the SSD carefully. Desktop users can reconnect the SATA and power cables to the drive.
Step 3: Set the Correct Boot Drive Priority
Your computer must know which drive contains the operating system. If the wrong drive is selected in BIOS, Windows cannot load.
Open BIOS or UEFI settings again and locate the Boot Order or Boot Priority section.
Make sure your Windows SSD or hard drive is set as the primary boot device. If multiple drives are installed, choose the drive where Windows is installed.
Save the changes and exit the BIOS.
Your PC will restart automatically. If the boot order was incorrect, Windows should now load normally.
Step 4: Switch Between UEFI and Legacy Boot Mode
Modern systems typically use UEFI, while older installations may still rely on Legacy BIOS mode. A mismatch between the installed Windows version and the firmware mode can trigger the No Boot Device Found error.
Enter BIOS settings and locate options such as:
Boot Mode
UEFI/Legacy Boot
CSM Support
If the system currently uses UEFI mode, try switching to Legacy mode. If it already uses Legacy mode, switch to UEFI.
Save the settings and restart the PC.
Be careful while changing these settings because an incorrect configuration can prevent Windows from starting temporarily. If the system fails to boot after switching modes, return to the previous setting.
Step 5: Use Windows Startup Repair
Windows includes a built-in recovery tool called Startup Repair that can automatically fix damaged boot files.
To access it, you need a Windows 11 or Windows 10 installation USB drive.
Connect the USB drive and boot from it. On the Windows setup screen, select your language and click Next.
Choose Repair your computer instead of Install Now.
Go to:
Troubleshoot
Advanced options
Startup Repair
Select your Windows installation and allow the repair process to complete.
The tool will scan and repair common startup issues automatically. After the process finishes, restart your computer and check if Windows boots normally.
Step 6: Rebuild the Boot Configuration Data
If the boot configuration files are corrupted, rebuilding them manually can fix the issue.
Boot into the Windows Recovery Environment using the installation USB drive.
Navigate to:
Troubleshoot
Advanced options
Command Prompt
Inside Command Prompt, type the following commands one at a time and press Enter after each command:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd
These commands repair the Master Boot Record and rebuild the Boot Configuration Data.
After running all commands, close Command Prompt and restart the computer.
If you receive an “Access is denied” error while using bootrec /fixboot, additional disk repair steps may be required.
Step 7: Run CHKDSK to Scan for Drive Errors
Bad sectors or file system corruption can prevent Windows from loading properly.
Open Command Prompt from the Windows Recovery Environment and type:
chkdsk C: /f /r
Replace C: with the correct Windows drive letter if necessary.
The scan may take a long time, depending on the size and condition of the drive. CHKDSK will attempt to repair damaged sectors and file system errors automatically.
Once the process finishes, restart the computer.
Step 8: Check Internal SSD or HDD Connections
If your PC recently experienced a drop, upgrade, or repair, the storage device connection may have become loose.
Desktop users should power off the PC, unplug the power cable, and open the side panel carefully. Check the SATA cable and power connector attached to the hard drive or SSD.
Laptop users with removable back panels can carefully reseat the NVMe SSD or SATA drive.
If possible, try connecting the drive to another SATA port or using another cable.
A loose or damaged connection is one of the most overlooked reasons behind boot device errors.
Step 9: Reset BIOS to Default Settings
Incorrect BIOS settings can interfere with storage detection and startup behavior.
Enter BIOS and look for options such as:
- Load Setup Defaults
- Restore Defaults
- Reset BIOS Settings
Select the default configuration and save the changes. Restart the PC afterward.
Resetting BIOS can fix problems caused by accidental configuration changes, overclocking settings, or firmware glitches.
Step 10: Update the BIOS or UEFI Firmware
Outdated firmware may create compatibility issues with modern SSDs or Windows updates.
Visit the official website of your PC manufacturer and download the latest BIOS update for your exact model.
You can find updates from:
Carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions while updating the BIOS. Interrupting the process can damage the motherboard firmware.
Step 11: Test the SSD or Hard Drive Health
If the drive continues disappearing from the BIOS or produces unusual noises, it may be failing physically.
Many manufacturers provide diagnostic tools for checking storage health. You can also use SMART monitoring tools to identify errors, such as:
- Bad sectors
- Read/write failures
- Drive overheating
- High reallocated sector count
If the drive’s health status is critical, replacing the SSD or hard drive is usually the best solution.
Step 12: Reinstall Windows 11 or Windows 10
If none of the previous fixes work and the drive still functions properly, reinstalling Windows may solve severe corruption issues.
Create a bootable Windows USB using the official Microsoft Media Creation Tool. Boot from the USB drive and choose Install Now.
During installation, select the existing Windows partition carefully. You may also perform a clean installation if backups are available.
A fresh Windows installation replaces damaged system files and rebuilds the boot environment from scratch.
FAQs
What does No Boot Device Found mean in Windows 11 or Windows 10?
This error means your computer cannot locate a bootable operating system drive. It usually occurs when the SSD, hard drive, or Windows boot files are corrupted or inaccessible.
Can a bad SSD cause the No Boot Device Found error?
Yes. A failing SSD or hard drive is one of the most common reasons for this issue. If the drive is not detected in the BIOS, a hardware failure is very likely.
How do I enter the BIOS on my computer?
Most systems use keys like F2, Delete, ESC, or F10 during startup. The exact key depends on the computer manufacturer.
Will reinstalling Windows fix the problem?
Reinstalling Windows can fix software-related boot problems, but it will not repair a physically damaged SSD or hard drive.
Is Startup Repair safe to use?
Yes. Startup Repair is a built-in Windows recovery feature designed to repair boot-related issues automatically without affecting personal files in most cases.
Why is my SSD not showing in BIOS?
Possible reasons include loose connections, damaged storage hardware, motherboard slot issues, or outdated BIOS firmware.