What Does the ‘Boot Device Not Found’ Error Mean?
The ‘Boot Device Not Found’ error message appears when your Windows 11 PC is unable to find a bootable hard drive during the startup process. This typically occurs if the hard drive containing your operating system has failed, become corrupted, disconnected, or is not properly detected by the BIOS.
When you try to turn on your PC, it will go through the initial boot sequence where hardware components are detected and initialized. If no bootable hard drive with a valid operating system is found, you will see the ‘Boot Device Not Found’ message and your PC will not complete the startup process.
This error prevents your PC from loading Windows and accessing your files and data. It indicates an underlying issue with your system’s hard drive that needs to be addressed before you can use your computer normally again.
Check Cable Connections
One of the first things to check when getting the “boot device not found” error is the cable connections for your boot drive. This could be a SATA cable to your hard drive, a USB cable for an external drive, or other connections depending on your setup.
Start by powering off your computer and unplugging the power and data cables from your boot drive. Visually inspect the cables for any damage or bent pins. Then reconnect the cables firmly, making sure they are properly seated. If using SATA, try a different SATA port and cable if possible. For USB, switch to a different USB port as well.
Loose or faulty cables are a common cause of boot issues. Simply reseating connections can fix intermitted problems. If using an external USB drive to boot, try directly connecting it to the motherboard if possible rather than through a hub. After reconnecting, power on your PC and see if the boot device is now recognized.
Be sure to also check for loose internal connections. Open up your PC case and check that no SATA or power cables are loose inside. Push connectors firmly into place to ensure proper contact. Check the motherboard for any dislodged SATA connectors as well.
If after checking all connections the boot device is still not found, it’s likely an issue with the drive itself or boot configuration rather than just a faulty cable. But taking the time to inspect cables is an easy first troubleshooting step that could resolve the problem quickly.
Update BIOS
One potential cause of the ‘Boot Device Not Found’ error is an outdated BIOS. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) controls communication between the operating system and hardware. As new versions of Windows are released, motherboard manufacturers will often update the BIOS firmware to maintain compatibility.
To update the BIOS, first identify the make and model of your motherboard or computer. Then visit the manufacturer’s website and look for a BIOS update specifically for your model. Make sure to carefully follow all instructions provided by the manufacturer when performing a BIOS update.
According to HP Support, restoring BIOS settings to default can also resolve ‘Boot Device Not Found’ errors after a BIOS update on HP devices (source). This may clear any invalid or unstable BIOS settings that are causing boot issues.
A BIOS update should only be performed when absolutely necessary, as flaws in the update process can cause the computer to become unusable. Make sure your computer does not lose power during the update, and only download BIOS updates from the manufacturer’s official website.
Reseat RAM Modules
One potential cause of the ‘Boot Device Not Found’ error is that one of the RAM memory modules may have become loose or dislodged from its slot on the motherboard (1). To reseat the RAM, first turn off and unplug the computer. Then, open the computer case and locate the RAM slots on the motherboard. Carefully press down on the retention clips on the sides of the RAM slot to release the module. Remove the RAM stick and check for any dirt, dust or debris on the gold pins. Use a can of compressed air to blow away any particles. Re-insert the RAM module firmly back into the slot until it clicks into place. Repeat this process for all RAM sticks. Then, put the computer case back on, plug the PC in and power it on to see if reseating the RAM resolved the boot error (2). Reseating the RAM can fix connection issues caused by modules becoming loose over time due to heat expansion and contraction or vibration. If reseating the RAM does not work, try testing each stick individually or with just one installed to identify any faulty modules.
(1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PwScCAKl4E
(2) https://recoverit.wondershare.com/partition-tips/fix-boot-device-not-found.html
Try System Restore
System Restore is a built-in Windows tool that can restore your computer’s system files to an earlier point in time. This can be useful if a recent software change, driver update, or other system modification has caused issues like the ‘boot device not found’ error.
To use System Restore to fix the ‘boot device not found’ problem:
- Boot into Windows Recovery Environment. On the Choose an option screen, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > System Restore.
- Choose a restore point that was created before you started experiencing the ‘boot device not found’ issue. The most recent restore point is selected by default.
- Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the System Restore process. Your computer will restart.
After the restart, check if the ‘boot device not found’ error still appears. System Restore will replace your current system files and settings with the earlier versions. This should resolve any software or driver issues that may be causing the problem.
If the error still occurs, you can revert the System Restore and try other solutions. But in many cases, restoring to an earlier system state can fix boot issues like ‘boot device not found’ in Windows.
Run Startup Repair
One option to fix the ‘boot device not found’ error is to run Startup Repair, which is a Windows recovery tool that can automatically detect and fix many startup issues. To use Startup Repair:
1. Insert your Windows installation media or recovery drive and boot your PC from it. On the first screen, select ‘Repair your computer’.
2. On the ‘Choose an option’ screen, select ‘Troubleshoot’ > ‘Advanced options’ > ‘Startup Repair’.
3. Startup Repair will now run diagnostics and try to automatically repair any issues preventing Windows from booting properly. This may take several minutes.
4. Once completed, remove the installation media and restart your PC normally. Startup Repair will often resolve the ‘boot device not found’ error by repairing critical boot files, reconfiguring boot settings, or fixing issues with boot partitions.
If the first run does not fix the problem, you can try running Startup Repair multiple times. For additional troubleshooting, access the advanced recovery tools from the Troubleshoot menu.
For more details on using Startup Repair to fix boot issues, refer to this Microsoft support article: How to fix Boot Device Not Found
Reset BIOS to Default Settings
Resetting the BIOS to default settings can often resolve the ‘boot device not found’ error. The BIOS settings may have been configured incorrectly, causing issues with detecting the boot drive. Resetting clears out any bad configurations and restores the BIOS to its original state.
To reset the BIOS settings, you need to clear the CMOS. This can be done by removing the CMOS battery from the motherboard for a few minutes, or using the clear CMOS jumper if your motherboard has one. Refer to your motherboard manual for exact steps. After clearing CMOS, the BIOS will load default settings when you power on the PC again.
Some key steps are:
- Turn off your PC and unplug power cable
- Open the PC case and locate the CMOS battery on motherboard
- Remove the battery from its slot and wait 2-3 minutes
- Put the battery back in place
- Close the PC case and plug power cable back in
- Turn on your PC – BIOS settings will now be reset
Clearing CMOS resets BIOS parameters like boot order, system time/date etc., but does not affect data on hard drives. This should resolve the ‘boot device not found’ error in many cases. If problem persists, you may need to check for loose connections or hard drive errors.
Check Hard Drive in BIOS
The next step is to check if your hard drive is being detected in the BIOS. To do this:
- Restart your computer and press the key to enter BIOS, usually Delete or F2.
- Once in the BIOS, go to the Boot tab or Boot Order/Priority menu.
- Check if your hard drive is listed here. If it is, the hard drive is being detected properly.
- If the hard drive is not listed in the Boot Order/Priority menu, it is likely not being detected by the motherboard.
If the hard drive is not showing up in the BIOS at all, that indicates a hardware connectivity issue. Solutions include checking that the power and SATA cables are properly connected to the hard drive and motherboard, trying a different SATA cable, or trying a different SATA port if available. The hard drive may also need to be replaced if it is defective.
Seeing the hard drive in the BIOS rules out detection issues and narrows down the potential causes for the boot device not found error.
Try a Different Boot Device
Sometimes the “boot device not found” error can be fixed by trying a different boot device. Connect a new hard drive to your system to see if Windows will boot from it. Make sure the hard drive is properly connected and powered. You can also try booting from a USB flash drive instead. Create a bootable Windows installation USB using the Media Creation Tool (https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/create-installation-media-for-windows-99a58364-8c02-206f-aa6f-40c3b507420d). Boot from the USB drive and see if Windows starts up. If it does, the issue is likely with your original hard drive. You can try reinstalling Windows on the old drive or replacing it if necessary.
Replace the Hard Drive
If all else fails, the hard drive itself may be damaged or faulty. This can prevent your PC from detecting the boot device and loading Windows properly. Replacing the hard drive may be necessary to resolve the ‘boot device not found’ error.
First, back up any data you need from the current hard drive if possible. Then, physically install a new hard drive in your PC, connecting the power cable and SATA cable properly. You may need to consult your motherboard manual for exact instructions.
After installing the new hard drive, you’ll need to install a fresh copy of Windows on it before it can act as your PC’s boot device. Refer to your Windows install media or recovery options. Once Windows is installed on the new drive, configure your BIOS settings to boot from that drive first in the boot order.
Replacing the hard drive can be a time-consuming and tedious process. But if you’ve exhausted your other options, it may be the only way to permanently fix the ‘boot device not found’ error and get your PC booting properly again.