The error message “No bootable devices found” can be frustrating to encounter when trying to start up your computer. It essentially means that your computer is unable to locate a drive with a bootable operating system installed that it can load.
There are a few potential causes for this error, which we will explore in depth in this article. Understanding the root of the problem is key to resolving the issue and getting your PC booting properly again.
Some common reasons you may see the “no bootable devices found” error include:
- Boot order not properly set in BIOS
- Hard drive failures or connection issues
- Missing or damaged operating system files
- Incompatible hardware/software
- Secure Boot related problems
We’ll provide an overview of each of these potential culprits and troubleshooting tips to help get to the bottom of the “no bootable devices found” problem on your machine.
Checking Boot Order in BIOS
One of the first things to check when encountering the “no bootable devices found” error is whether your PC’s BIOS boot order is properly configured.
The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) controls the initial startup process on your computer and determines the order in which devices are checked for a bootable operating system.
If the BIOS boot order is not correctly set to look for your main hard drive or SSD first, the system may not find a valid OS to launch.
Here are the steps to verify and set the proper boot order in BIOS:
- Restart your computer and press the BIOS key during the initial startup. This is usually F2, F10 or Delete.
- In the BIOS settings, navigate to the “Boot” section.
- Confirm your main hard drive or SSD is listed first in the boot order. If not, use the arrow keys to move it to the top.
- Save changes and exit BIOS to restart your PC.
Setting your primary drive containing the OS as the first boot device in the BIOS boot order can resolve “no bootable devices found” errors caused by incorrect boot order.
Checking for Hard Drive Failures
Failures with your hard drive or solid state drive can also lead to the “no bootable devices found” message during system startup.
Potential hard drive issues include:
- Corrupted master boot record (MBR)
- Failed drive electronics causing the drive to not be detected
- Mechanical failure of disk platters
- Bad sectors preventing data access
If you suspect a hard drive failure, first check your BIOS settings and confirm the drive is being properly detected. You may see an error message in BIOS indicating the hard drive is not present.
Next, listen closely to the sounds from the computer during startup. If you hear clicking or grinding noises, that can indicate a mechanical failure within the hard drive.
To further test the drive, you can boot to a Windows recovery drive or bootable USB and run utilities like CHKDSK to check for file system corruption. This can potentially repair boot issues if they are caused by file system damage rather than complete drive failure.
In some cases of physical hard drive failure, the only solution is to replace the faulty drive and reinstall your operating system and data from backup. Make sure you have backups before troubleshooting any potential hard drive failure.
Investigating Operating System File Problems
The Windows operating system files themselves may sometimes be the reason behind “no bootable devices found.”
If critical OS files like the master boot record (MBR) or boot sector become corrupted or go missing, the system will fail to load properly and give this error.
Causes for OS file damage include:
- Faulty Windows update
- Incorrect BIOS settings
- Virus or malware infection
- Power loss during drive access
Methods to diagnose and potentially repair damaged system files depend on the type of problem:
- MBR Corruption: Boot to recovery drive and run “bootrec /fixmbr” command
- Boot Sector Corruption: Boot to recovery drive and run “bootrec /fixboot”
- Missing System Files: Boot to recovery drive and run SFC (System File Checker) scan
- Rootkit Virus: Boot to safe mode and run anti-malware/anti-virus scan
If system file corruption is not repairable, a clean reinstall of Windows may be required to get your PC booting again.
Hardware and Driver Compatibility Issues
In some cases, “no bootable devices found” errors stem from incompatible or malfunctioning hardware components or drivers.
Recent hardware changes are the most likely cause of compatibility issues preventing booting. For example:
- Installing new storage drive that BIOS does not support
- Using newer GPU or other device with outdated motherboard
- Enabling unsupported overclocking or other BIOS settings
- Faulty or loose SATA/power cables to drives
If you suspect a hardware or driver conflict, first check BIOS for any error messages and confirm all drives are detected properly.
Next steps would include:
- Test hardware configurations by removing recently added components
- Update BIOS, chipset, and other system device drivers
- Reset BIOS settings to default
- Check connections to all internal drives and external devices
Isolating any new hardware changes that precede the startup issue can help identify compatibility problems causing the “no bootable devices found” error.
Possible Secure Boot Issues
On newer machines running Windows 8 or later, Secure Boot restrictions could also be a factor behind “no bootable devices found.”
Secure Boot is designed to prevent unauthorized operating systems or bootloaders from loading at startup. However, when enabled, it can sometimes block legitimate boots as well.
Potential Secure Boot related causes include:
- Secure Boot is not compatible with older versions of Windows
- Changes to Secure Boot keys blocking Windows from booting
- Conflicts with dual-booting other OS like Linux
If you suspect Secure Boot issues, first check if there are any Secure Boot error messages in BIOS.
To resolve, you may need to:
- Disable Secure Boot in BIOS (not recommended due to security risks)
- Reset Secure Boot keys to their factory defaults
- Use signed bootloaders compatible with Secure Boot restrictions
Updating to a newer Windows 10 version may also resolve Secure Boot conflicts if attempting to run an older Windows release.
Troubleshooting Steps To Resolve “No Bootable Devices Found”
Based on the potential causes covered, here is a summary of steps to troubleshoot and resolve the “no bootable devices found” error:
- Check BIOS boot order – Ensure your boot drive with OS is first in the list
- Inspect BIOS messages – Note any hardware errors or drive detection issues
- Listen for odd sounds – Clicking noises may indicate hard drive failure
- Test hardware configurations – Remove any recently added components and peripherals
- Boot from recovery disk – Run chkdsk, SFC scans, bootrec commands
- Reset BIOS defaults – Load optimized default settings
- Update drivers & firmware – Install latest BIOS, chipset, and device drivers
- Check connections – Reseat SATA cables and power cables to drives
- Consider reinstalling Windows – Backup data and perform a clean OS installation
Combining these steps methodically should help uncover any issues leading to the lack of bootable devices. Seek assistance from a repair technician if you exhaust these software and hardware troubleshooting methods.
Recovering Data from Unbootable Drives
When trying to troubleshoot “no bootable devices found”, you may find yourself unable to access data stored on your computer’s hard drive or SSD.
If you cannot repair the issues preventing your system from booting properly, there are still methods to recover your files and data from the unbootable drive.
Some options include:
- Use a bootable Linux recovery CD/USB to access the filesystem
- Attach drive to another system as secondary storage
- Remove drive and connect to an external dock or enclosure
- Use professional data recovery services for mechanical failures
As long as the drive hardware itself still functions, even with corrupted boot partitions you should be able to connect the disk to another system using one of these techniques to view and back up your data.
Just be very careful not to write anything new to failing drives before recovering the files, as this can overwrite data. Consider professional recovery if DIY methods fail.
Preventing “No Bootable Devices Found”
While troubleshooting after the fact is important, avoiding “no bootable devices found” errors in the first place should be your end goal.
Here are proactive tips to help prevent this issue from cropping up:
- Keep BIOS firmware and drivers updated
- Use a UPS to prevent power-related file corruption
- Be cautious when modifying BIOS settings
- Don’t swap too many hardware components simultaneously
- Regularly image/backup your boot drive
- Practice safe browsing and computing habits to avoid malware
- Maintain clean power connections to all internal drives
Combining preventative system maintenance with modern data backup practices will keep you from pulling your hair out if you ever do see “no bootable devices found” on startup.
Conclusion
While the “no bootable devices found” error message can be scary, methodically troubleshooting the potential causes can help resolve the problem and get your PC operational again.
Check for BIOS misconfigurations, hard drive failures, OS file corruption, hardware issues, and Secure Boot conflicts. Try steps like correcting boot order, running disk utilities, resetting BIOS defaults, reseating connections, and updating firmware and drivers.
As a last resort, recovering data and reinstalling Windows clean may be required to restore bootability. Follow best practices like regular backups and safe computing to minimize your risk of a no boot nightmare.
With the right systematic approach to troubleshooting, you can hunt down explanations for the lack of detected bootable devices. Patience and persistence is key to getting your computer back up and running again after seeing this error.