No Bootable Devices Found? Here’s How to Fix It on Windows 10/11 without Data Loss

Facing the “No bootable devices found” error can be annoying. However, there are reliable ways to fix the issue; you will learn all of them after reading this article. I will show you how to fix it without losing your data. 

If you’re ready, let’s begin.

What Causes the “No Bootable Devices” Found Error?

There are several reasons why this error might appear. Let’s check out the most common causes:

• Incorrect boot order. The boot order sets the sequence that lets your PC choose bootable devices correctly. By default, the boot order puts the HDD first in this sequence. If it is not, you may experience booting problems.
• Your Windows 10 system partition isn’t active. The system partition is the storage for the boot loader; this software is responsible for booting the OS. It must be active for the correct booting process.
• Your PC can’t find the bootable disk you installed. If your computer doesn’t recognize the bootable disk, it won’t boot properly. One of the reasons for that can be a faulty cable connection. 
• Issues with the CMOS or BIOS settings. These problems may lead to your PC trying to boot from the wrong device with a zero result. The reason is that the malfunctioning CMOS or BIOS can mix up the booting order.

Related: What Is BIOS on a Computer: What You Need to Know  

• The boot file or device is not compatible. This can be both a hardware and software issue. If, for example, your PC is trying to boot from a printer, don’t expect a success story. 
• The boot disk’s MBR sector is damaged. The Master Boot Record (MBR) is responsible for your PC’s booting. If it is corrupt, your computer won’t find any bootable device.
• The bootable device is damaged or corrupted. If your HDD or SSD is damaged, likely, your PC won’t be able to boot, as it is the first device to look for in the booting process.

How to Fix the “No Boot Device Found” Error on Windows 10/11

Go through the below steps if your system cannot find any bootable devices. Since there are numerous reasons for the error, some methods may not be effective, depending on your situation.

That said, I’ve laid out all the possible solutions, so one of them should work for you:

Solution 1: Check the cables and replace if faulty

Your PC might be saying that no bootable device is found simply because your cables are faulty.

You may have your HDD or SSD connections to the motherboard damaged or loose. Let’s see how we can fix this problem.

• For security reasons, you must turn off your computer and unplug it from the power source.
• Open your PC case and check the data cables (known as SATA cables).
• Look whether the connections are secure on both ends of the motherboard and HDD or SSD.
• Do the cables look damaged? If they do, remove faulty cables and replace them with new ones.
• Restart your computer and check if the error is still occurring. The problem should be solved if the reason was the bad cable connection.

Related read: How to Fix the “Windows 10 Won’t Boot” Problem Easily

Solution 2: Inspect external devices

You can also experience the discussed problem with an external USB drive or another device, like a printer, connected to your PC.

These devices might interfere with your PC’s booting. This can happen if your computer mistakenly wants to boot from them instead of the internal hard drive.

You can fix the problem in just two steps: 

• Disconnect all your external devices, like USB drives or even your scanner.
• Restart your PC and check if it identifies the correct boot device.

Solution 3: Check the hard drive’s health

Hard drives can be pretty sensitive in terms of performance. It especially relates to HDD rather than SSD. Hard drive failure can prevent your PC from booting if your system cannot find any bootable devices. 

Check your hard drive’s health using the BIOS

You can run a health check to figure out if your hard drive doesn’t work properly. To fix this issue, here’s what you can do: 

• Restart your PC and enter the BIOS. You can do it by pressing F2, F12, or Delete when your computer is starting up.
• Find a built-in HDD diagnostic tool within the BIOS and run it.

Connect the drive to a different computer

Another option is to remove the hard drive from your computer and connect it to another PC using a USB-to-SATA adapter or as an external drive. 

Then, use the Windows CHKDSK tool or third-party tools like CrystalDiskInfo to run diagnostic tools on your second computer to check the health of your drive. 

If you’re able to access your drive, quickly back up your important data because it’s likely to fail soon. If you’re still getting the “No bootable device” error, the hard drive may be damaged.

Solution 4: Check the boot order in the BIOS

If your PC is not booting to Windows, it could be that the system is trying to boot from the wrong boot device. I’ll show you how to make sure that your HDD or SSD is your PC’s primary boot device:

• First, let’s restart your PC. 
• Then, press F2, F12, Delete, or Esc, depending on your PC brand, to enter the BIOS.
• Find the Boot order or Boot priority section.

• You must ensure that your HDD or SSD goes first in the boot sequence. If it is not in the top position, just change the order manually to place it first.

Check out this article to learn more about how to change boot order in Windows in BIOS in Windows 10/11

Solution 5. Activate the system partition

The system partition is the part of your drive where Windows is installed. If it is active, it may prevent your computer from launching a correct booting procedure. You can use the Disk Management tool to ensure it is active:

• First, press Win + X, and when the menu opens, choose Disk Management.
• Look for System Reserved or EFI System Partition and check if it’s active. 

• If not, right-click on it and mark it as active.

Check if the error is fixed. If not, move on to the next solution.

Solution 6: Fix issues with the MBR and BCD

Another reason for your PC not booting to Windows can be issues with the Master Boot Record or Boot Configuration Data (BCD). The MBR contains boot info, and BCD is your Windows 10/11 storage for boot options. Both are essential for the booting process, and if they get corrupted or even go missing, there’s no chance your computer will reboot correctly.

To troubleshoot these issues, you must run the Bootrec.exe tool (or the bootrec command), which will fix the MBR and rebuild the BCD.

However, you need to create a Windows installation media first before using the bootrec command. Follow these steps:

Step 1

• Download Microsoft’s media creation tool for Windows 10 or 11. 
• After downloading the tool, run it and select Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC. Then, click Next.
• Select USB flash drive and wait for the process to complete.

Step 2

After the process is complete, follow the below steps: 

• Insert the bootable USB drive into your computer.
• Turn on your computer and press F12 or the relevant key to enter the BIOS or UEFI settings. 
• When the window opens, go to the boot menu under Boot, Boot order, or Boot options, depending on your PC model. Then, change the boot order to boot from the USB drive. 
• Finally, save the changes and restart your computer. 

 Step 3

• After restarting your PC, set the language and option. 
• When the Install now screen displays, click on Repair your computer.

• Select Advanced options under Troubleshoot.

• Then, select Command Prompt. 

• Now, enter the following commands and press Enter after each: 

bootrec /fixmbr

bootrec /fixboot 

bootrec /scanos

bootrec /rebuildbcd

This sequence will fix your MBR and BCD issues to put your system back on track to perform a correct reboot. Restart your computer and revert the boot order to see if that fixes the problem.

Solution 7: Check for hard drive errors using CHKDSK

If the previous solutions did not fix the issuer, the problem could be a hard drive error. The CHKDSK command can help you find any problems with your hard drive. Here is how to run it: 

• Boot your Windows using the bootable USB drive, just like in the previous method.
• Click on Repair your computer when the Install now screen appears. 
• Click on Advanced options under Troubleshoot.

• Now, select Command Prompt.

• Type “chkdsk c: /f /x /r” and press Enter. 

Further reading: How to Check for and Fix Disk Errors with CHKDSK Command

Solution 8: Perform a system restore

Well, we have come to the last resort if all other methods don’t work. Engaging the System Restore utility is quite a radical way to fix the problem.

Yet, sometimes, you may need to do it to resolve software glitches causing all kinds of errors, not only with bootable devices. Here is how to go about it:

• First, launch the standard booting procedure from your Windows installation media.
• Then, select Repair your computer.
• Next, navigate to Troubleshoot and select Advanced options. 
• Lastly, click on System Restore. 

Also read: [FIXED] System Restore Not Working in Windows 10

How to Prevent the “No Boot Device Found” Issue in the Future

There’s an old rule: prevention is always better than cure. Let’s see how you can avoid experiencing this issue down the road:

1. Regularly check and update the BIOS

It’s important to make sure your BIOS is always up to date to avoid compatibility and detection issues with your hard drive. 

When your BIOS firmware is outdated, the system can’t recognize bootable devices, which can lead to your PC not booting to Windows. 

So, make it a habit to check for updates to make your computer operations run smoothly.

2. Back up important data regularly

System failures or boot issues can happen anytime. So, it’s essential to back up your files regularly. This way, you won’t have to worry about losing important files.

3. Use third-party tools to maintain your hard drive health

I can’t emphasize enough how crucial keeping your drive in good shape is. However, I also understand how daunting it can be to often maintain your system. 

But it doesn’t have to be. You can use reliable third-party tools like Auslogics BoostSpeed to automatically take care of your drive. 

The program offers comprehensive features like disk cleanup, defragmentation, and SSD optimization to maintain your PC performance. This reduces the chances of encountering the “No bootable devices found” error.

The “No Bootable Devices Found” Error: Fixed

With all the solutions from this article, you are now in the driving seat when fixing the “Boot device not found” issue. Go through the steps and implement the method that works in your situation.

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