The message “No bootable device” that appears when you turn on your PC or laptop indicates that there is no device to start the system. In this article, we will consider the most common causes of the error and how to solve them.
Basic steps to take when the “No bootable device” error occurs
The following steps are worth trying if everything worked fine before, no unnecessary actions were performed on the computer – such as cleaning it from dust or replacing the hard drive – and it could not have been “damaged” by a fall, water, or something else.
If, despite all this, you still get the “No bootable device” notification, here’s what you need to do:
- Turn off the computer device by holding down the power button for about 10 seconds.
- Disconnect absolutely everything that is connected via the USB port.
- Turn it on again to check if there is a change.
This may not always work, but in some cases it can help save time so that you don’t waste it on further actions that will no longer be needed.
Before considering other options, there is one more important point to consider. Sometimes the error may appear and disappear. For example, after exiting sleep mode or after turning off the computer, it is there, but after rebooting, it is not. If your computer has Windows 8.1, 10 or 11 installed, you should try disabling fast startup in the system settings, and also downloading the chipset drivers from the official website of the computer device manufacturer. You need to download for a specific model.
How else can the problem be solved?
Below are the most common causes of the “No bootable device” error: hardware and software.
Problem with HDD
Most often, the root of the problem is a broken hard drive – the Windows file system and other important components have crashed. If this is really the problem, there is no guarantee that the computer will work as flawlessly as before.
How To Fix “No Bootable Device” Error
- Check the hard drive . Before moving on, you need to make sure that it is working. You can use specially designed programs for this.
- Inspect the hard drive board . This additional action can also be useful. It is necessary to inspect the spare part on both sides for physical damage or oxidation. To do this, you need to carefully unscrew all the screws and remove the board.
- Clean the board . If oxidation is noticed, the part can be cleaned with a toothbrush, cotton swab, as well as acetone, gasoline or alcohol. Before returning the board to its place, it must be completely dry.
- Replace HDD . Computer startup always begins with a POST check. If the hard drive is unstable and the BIOS does not recognize it, then the “No bootable device” notification appears on the monitor. The exact text of the message may differ depending on the BIOS version. This means that the problem is hardware and a full replacement of the hard drive is required.
Problem with BIOS
The error may occur if additional devices are connected to the computer. In this case, the BIOS may change the boot order. For example, the operating system is installed, as usual, on the HDD. However, the BIOS will look for it on a flash drive that was already connected to the computer while it was still turned off. If the BIOS does not find the OS there, it will display the corresponding error message.
To solve the problem you need to:
- Go to BIOS settings.
- Go to the “Boot” section. Depending on the version, it may be called “Advanced Features”, “Advanced Options”, “BIOS Features”, “Boot” or simply “Boot”.
- Find the item that is responsible for the boot priority. It may be called “Boot Option” or “1st Boot Device”.
- Set HDD as the first device in the queue.
- Save the settings and restart your computer.