The “no bootable medium found system halted” error message indicates that your computer cannot find a bootable operating system to start up. This typically occurs because the boot order is not properly configured or because the hard drive containing the operating system has failed or is corrupted.
Quick Answers
– It means the computer cannot find a bootable operating system like Windows or Linux to start up
– Usually caused by incorrect boot order setting in BIOS or a failed/corrupted hard drive
– Solutions include checking boot order, trying different boot devices, running diagnostics on the hard drive
What Does “No Bootable Medium Found” Mean?
When you first turn on your computer, it goes through a process called booting. This involves loading and initializing the operating system that runs all your programs and allows you to use the computer.
An operating system like Windows, Mac OS, or Linux needs to be installed on a bootable storage medium like a hard drive, solid state drive, or USB flash drive. The computer checks these storage devices in a specified boot order to locate the operating system files.
If the computer cannot find any bootable media after checking all the configured devices, it will fail to boot and display an error message like “no bootable medium found system halted.”
The “no bootable medium” part indicates that the computer did not find a storage device that contains a recognized operating system. The “system halted” part means that without an OS to boot into, the startup process cannot continue and has stopped.
What Causes This Error Message?
There are a few common reasons why a computer may not be able to find a bootable operating system drive:
- Incorrect boot order – The BIOS or UEFI firmware settings control which devices are checked for an OS and in what order. If the boot order is not properly configured, it may skip the drive containing the OS.
- Disconnected or failed hard drive – If the hard drive containing the operating system has become unplugged or has failed, the computer would not be able to find the OS on it.
- Corrupted hard drive – File system errors or corrupted system files on the OS drive can also prevent booting.
- Missing operating system – If a hard drive was replaced or reformatted without reinstalling the OS, no boot files would be present.
- BIOS or UEFI misconfiguration – Incorrect or outdated firmware settings can sometimes interfere with the boot process.
Issues with storage devices like hard drives, SSDs, or USB drives are the most common factors that would lead to the “no bootable medium” message on startup.
How to Fix “No Bootable Medium Found”
Here are some steps you can take to troubleshoot and fix the “no bootable medium found system halted” error:
1. Check BIOS/UEFI boot order
Enter your BIOS or UEFI setup utility on startup and verify that the boot order lists your OS drive first. If not, reorder the list and ensure the correct drive with the installed operating system is at the top.
2. Try booting from different devices
Attempt booting from each attached storage device to see if any can start the OS. Try booting from a USB flash drive, external hard drive, recovery drive, etc.
3. Run hard drive diagnostics
Use your hard drive manufacturer’s diagnostic tools to check for errors. Replace the hard drive if it is defective or corrupted.
4. Reconnect loose cables
Make sure no loose cables are causing your OS drive to not be detected properly during boot.
5. Replace damaged hardware components
If you suspect a hardware failure in the motherboard, cables, drives, or other components, replacing the affected part may resolve the no bootable medium issue.
6. Repair or reinstall operating system
Use the appropriate recovery tools or installation media to repair or perform a fresh OS installation to restore boot files.
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Boot order incorrect | Reorder BIOS/UEFI boot sequence |
| Hard drive failed/disconnected | Replace/reconnect hard drive |
| Corrupted OS drive | Repair or reinstall operating system |
| Missing operating system | Install OS on drive |
Troubleshooting Tips
Follow these tips when troubleshooting the no bootable medium error:
- Try booting from an OS recovery drive or installation media like a DVD or USB stick.
- If you recently changed a BIOS/UEFI setting like boot order or enabled/disabled Secure Boot, revert the change.
- Examine cables and connections to make sure all hard drives are properly plugged in.
- Remove non-essential peripherals and externals devices to minimize potential issues.
- Check your motherboard manufacturer’s website for updated BIOS/UEFI firmware downloads.
- Consult your OS support resources for advanced troubleshooting help.
Causes of a Corrupted Operating System
If your OS drive appears to be corrupted and causing the no bootable medium error, here are some potential causes:
Power outages
An unexpected shutdown during a drive write operation can corrupt data. Abruptly cutting power crashes the OS before it can safely close open files and flush caches.
Failed drive sectors
Bad sectors on a hard drive can develop over time and cause critical OS files like the bootloader to become inaccessible or unreadable.
File system damage
The file system manages data storage on the drive. File system corruption can occur, preventing access to boot files.
Drive formatting errors
Incorrectly formatting a drive or conversion errors between file systems like NTFS and FAT32 may damage boot data.
Malware or virus infection
Malicious programs specifically targeting the master boot record or critical boot files can prevent booting.
Preventing Boot Medium Issues
You can take proactive measures to help avoid a “no bootable medium” situation:
- Use an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to prevent abrupt shutdowns during power outages or surges.
- Always safely eject/unmount drives before disconnecting to prevent file system damage.
- Install and regularly update antivirus software to detect and remove malware.
- Back up your hard drive so OS and boot files can easily be restored.
- Keep your BIOS/UEFI firmware updated per your manufacturer’s instructions.
- Closely check for hard drive errors or early signs of failure.
Recovering Data from a Non-Booting Drive
If you have important files on a drive that is not properly booting, recovery options include:
- Booting from a different OS drive and copying files from the corrupted drive.
- Using data recovery software to extract files from the damaged drive.
- Taking the hard drive to a repair service to repair and recover data.
- On an otherwise working PC, removing the hard drive and connecting it as a secondary drive to copy data.
As long as the drive remains intact mechanically, specialized data recovery techniques can typically salvage data even from a corrupted drive that refuses to boot.
When to Seek Professional Repair Service
In some cases of persistent “no bootable medium” errors, you may need to seek help from a professional computer technician or repair service for diagnosis and repair. This is recommended if:
- You have checked BIOS settings, cables, connections, and tried booting from multiple devices with no success.
- Diagnostic tools report definitive hardware failure in the hard drive or motherboard components.
- You do not have the technical skillset to run in-depth troubleshooting or repairs yourself.
- A drive recovery requires very specialized data recovery methods beyond typical approaches.
Computer repair professionals have specialized hardware tools, diagnostics, and expertise in reliably resolving complex boot issues and recovering data from corrupt drives. The cost is usually reasonable relative to the importance of getting a computer back up and running again.
Conclusion
The “no bootable medium found system halted” error indicates the PC cannot find a storage device with a bootable operating system. Typical causes are incorrect boot order, disconnected/failed hardware, or corrupted system files. Fixes include checking BIOS settings, running diagnostics, reconnecting cables, repairing/reinstalling the OS, or seeking professional repair help. With the right troubleshooting steps, the error can typically be resolved and return the computer to a working state.