How do I get past the boot device not found?

When you see the error message “Boot Device Not Found” on your computer screen, it means your computer is unable to find a bootable device during the startup process. This error often occurs after making changes to the boot order or boot device settings in the BIOS, installing a new hard drive without an operating system, disconnecting the primary hard drive, or due to a hardware failure.

What causes the boot device not found error?

There are several potential causes for the boot device not found error:

  • The boot order is incorrect in the BIOS settings and the computer is trying to boot from the wrong device.
  • The primary hard drive with the operating system has been disconnected or has failed.
  • A new hard drive was installed that does not have an operating system yet.
  • Critical boot files are corrupted or missing from the primary hard drive.
  • The primary hard drive’s cables are loose or disconnected.
  • The motherboard has experienced a hardware failure.

The most common reasons for this error are an incorrect boot order or a disconnected/failed hard drive. The boot order tells the computer which storage device to look for the operating system on during startup. If it’s set incorrectly, the computer won’t find the system files it needs to boot.

How to get past the boot device not found error

If you encounter the boot device not found error, there are a number of troubleshooting steps you can take to resolve it:

Check cabling and connections

As a first step, physically inspect all the data cables connected to your hard drives and motherboard. Make sure the connections are secure and the cables are not damaged. Loose or faulty cables can prevent the system from detecting boot devices properly.

Pay particular attention to the cables for your primary hard drive (usually SATA 0 or the C: drive). Reseat the connections and try booting again after verifying the cables are firmly plugged in.

Verify boot order in BIOS

Enter your computer’s BIOS settings menu on startup to check that the boot order is correctly prioritizing your primary hard drive. The BIOS screen can be accessed on most computers by pressing the F2, F10 or Delete keys during the initial boot process. Instructions differ between manufacturers.

Once in the BIOS, navigate to the boot order menu and ensure your primary hard drive with the OS installed is ranked first in the list. If not, use the arrow keys to move it to the top. Save changes and exit BIOS to reboot.

Disconnect peripheral drives

If you recently added new internal or external drives like a USB stick or secondary drive, disconnect those to rule out interference. Boot again after removing the extra drive to see if the error persists.

Reset BIOS to default

Resetting BIOS settings to their factory defaults can overwrite any boot order changes that may be preventing startup. There is usually a “Load Optimized Defaults” option on the main BIOS screen or in the exit menu. This will revert any customized settings back to their original state.

Check hard drive health

Open your computer case and listen closely to your hard drives on bootup. If you hear any unusual clicking or grinding noises, the drive could be failing. Use the BIOS hard drive diagnostics tool to check for bad sectors or errors if available on your system.

Consider replacing the drive if it is making odd noises or shows signs of health deterioration. If the drive is still relatively new, you may be able to contact the manufacturer and request a replacement under warranty.

Replace cables

Faulty data cables are a common cause of boot issues and hardware detection problems. If inspection doesn’t reveal any visible cable damage, try substituting the existing cables with new ones. Use high quality SATA III cables for internal drives.

Boot from removable media

An easy way to rule out a damaged hard drive is attempting to boot from a USB flash drive or optical disc. For this method, you will need:

  • Bootable media – A USB stick or disc with an operating system installed on it.
  • Access to change the boot order – Either through the BIOS or boot menu.

With bootable media connected, enter the BIOS or select the temporary boot menu to choose your removable drive as the first boot option. Success confirms the original hard drive as the failure point.

Use automatic repair

If a Windows computer is detecting the primary hard drive but failing to boot properly, the automatic repair utility may be able to fix boot files and system registry issues. Access this by booting from Windows installation media and selecting the repair option.

The automatic repair will scan the drive and attempt to replace corrupted files so that Windows boots normally again. This has the potential to resolve software-related causes for the boot device not found error.

Clean install Windows

Performing a clean install of your operating system can act as a final solution when all else fails. Back up any personal data first, then boot from installation media to erase the existing drive partitions and perform a fresh OS installation.

This essentially gives you a blank slate to ensure all bootable files are configured correctly. Be sure to select the correct drive during installation to avoid the error persisting post-install.

Tips to prevent boot device not found

Once you resolve the immediate error, there are steps you can take to help avoid this issue in the future:

  • Be careful when altering boot order or partition tables.
  • Use the Safely Remove Hardware option before disconnecting drives.
  • Keep your BIOS updated to the latest stable release.
  • Check drive health using hard drive utilities.
  • Ensure proper airflow and cooling for hard drives.
  • Always properly shut down the PC rather than force powering off.

Following best practices for drive care, hardware changes, and system configuration will help minimize instances of the computer not being able to find the correct boot device.

Recovering data from a drive that won’t boot

If you need to recover data from the primary hard drive that’s causing the error, there are a couple options available:

Connect drive to another PC

If the drive isn’t physically damaged, you can hook it up as a secondary drive in a desktop computer using a SATA adapter or external dock. This will allow you to access the drive like removable storage to copy files from it.

Remove drive and use specialist recovery software

In cases of more severe boot device errors, access the drive directly by connecting it to another system internally or with a USB adapter. Then run advanced data recovery software that can interface with the disk directly to extract your documents, photos, and other personal files.

Consult a professional recovery service

For catastrophic drive failure or highly complex cases, your best bet is handing the drive over to a professional recovery company. They have specialized tools and clean room facilities to potentially recover data even from drives with physical damage.

Conclusion

Diagnosing and resolving a boot device not found error may require trying multiple troubleshooting steps to identify the underlying problem. Typical causes include disconnected or damaged hardware, a misconfigured BIOS, or operating system corruption.

Verifying cable connections, checking drive health, correcting the boot order, repairing system files, and reinstalling Windows are all options for restoring normal boot functionality. Prevention involves being cautious with drive connections and system settings.

With the right combination of software tools and hardware best practices, you can overcome that frustrating “Boot Device Not Found” message and get your computer booting correctly again.