No Bootable Devices Found: Fixes That Work

“No bootable devices found” means your computer cannot locate a drive with a valid operating system to start from. This error usually appears on a black screen before Windows or another OS loads, and it is almost always fixable by checking the BIOS boot order, reseating the hard drive, or repairing the boot loader. Below are the exact steps to diagnose and resolve the issue, plus what to do if the drive itself has failed.

What This Error Actually Means

When you press the power button, the motherboard’s firmware (BIOS or UEFI) runs a quick self-test, then looks for a device that contains a bootable operating system. It checks the devices listed in the boot order — typically the internal hard drive, SSD, a USB stick, or the network. If none of those devices contain a valid boot sector, you get a message like “No bootable devices found,” “Reboot and select proper boot device,” or “No boot device available.”

The key point: the error is about bootability, not necessarily a dead drive. The drive might be physically fine, but the boot files could be corrupted, the drive might not be connected properly, or the firmware might be looking at the wrong device.

Common Causes and Quick Checks

Before opening your computer, try the simplest fixes. A surprising number of “no bootable device” errors are caused by something removable or a temporary glitch.

• Remove all USB drives, SD cards, and external disks. The BIOS may be trying to boot from a flash drive that isn’t bootable, and ignoring your internal drive.
• Restart the computer. A one-off firmware hiccup can sometimes cause this error. A full shutdown and power-on often clears it.
• Check for a recent BIOS update. If you just updated the firmware and now get this error, the boot order may have been reset. Re-enter BIOS setup and set your main drive as the first boot option.
• If you recently installed a new drive or changed SATA ports, the BIOS may have lost the drive. Verify that the drive is detected in the storage information screen.

Step-by-Step Fix: Check BIOS Boot Order

The most common fix is to make sure the correct drive is set as the first boot device. This is safe and takes less than a minute.

1. Restart the computer and press the key that opens the BIOS/UEFI setup — usually Del, F2, F10, or Esc. The exact key appears on the first screen, often as “Press F2 to enter Setup.”
2. Look for a section called Boot, Boot Order, or Boot Priority.
3. Find your operating system drive — it may be listed by model name (e.g., “Samsung SSD 970 EVO”) or as “Windows Boot Manager.”
4. Move that drive to the top of the list. The usual keys are +/– or F5/F6, but the on-screen legend will show you.
5. Save and exit (usually F10), then confirm. The computer should restart and boot normally.

If your drive is not listed in the boot menu at all, skip to the “Hardware Checks” section below.

Hardware Checks: Is the Drive Connected?

If the BIOS doesn’t detect your drive in the storage list, the problem is physical. This is common after moving a desktop PC, cleaning the inside, or installing a new drive.

• Desktop PCs: Power down, unplug the power cord, open the case, and reseat both the data cable (SATA or NVMe) and the power cable. Try a different SATA port and a different SATA cable if available.
• Laptops: The drive is usually under a small panel on the bottom. Remove the panel, reseat the drive, and try again. If your laptop uses an M.2 SSD, it may need to be pushed in firmly and screwed down.
• Listen for clicking or beeping. If the drive makes a repetitive clicking sound or the system beeps, the drive may be dead. In that case, you’ll need a replacement and possibly professional data recovery.

If the drive is detected but still won’t boot, the boot loader is likely damaged. That leads to the next fix.

Repair the Boot Loader (Windows)

If the BIOS sees the drive but still says “no bootable device,” the Windows boot records are probably corrupted. You can repair them with the Windows installation media.

1. Create a Windows installation USB on another computer using Microsoft’s Media Creation Tool (for Windows 10 or 11).
2. Boot from the USB. You may need to press a key (like F12) to bring up the one-time boot menu and select the USB.
3. Choose your language, then click Repair your computer instead of “Install now.”
4. Go to Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt.
5. Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each:

bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd

After the commands finish, type exit, restart, and remove the USB. If the boot loader was the problem, Windows should start normally.

When the Drive Is Dead: Data Recovery and Replacement

If the drive is not detected after reseating, or if it makes clicking sounds, it may have failed. At this point, the priority is your data.

• Do not keep trying to boot. Repeated attempts can stress a failing drive further.
• If the data is valuable, stop using the drive and contact a professional data recovery service. They have cleanroom facilities and specialized tools, but the service is expensive.
• If the data is not critical, replace the drive. For desktops, a 2.5” SATA SSD is a cheap and easy upgrade. For laptops, check whether it uses a 2.5” drive or an M.2 SSD.
• After installing a new drive, you’ll need to reinstall Windows. You can use the same installation USB you used for the repair.

To avoid this situation in the future, keep regular backups. Windows File History, macOS Time Machine, or a cloud service can save you from data loss.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my PC say “no bootable devices found” after a power outage?

A power outage can sometimes corrupt the BIOS settings, resetting the boot order to an empty or wrong device. Enter BIOS setup and set your main drive as the first boot option. Also, a sudden power loss can corrupt boot files, so if the boot order is fine, use the bootrec repair steps above.

Can a dead CMOS battery cause “no bootable device”?

Yes. The CMOS battery powers the BIOS memory that stores your settings. When it dies, the BIOS resets to defaults, which may not include your drive in the boot order. Replace the coin-cell battery (usually a CR2032) on the motherboard, then set the boot order again.

My drive is detected in BIOS but still won’t boot. What else can I try?

If bootrec didn’t help, try resetting the BIOS to factory defaults (look for “Load Optimized Defaults” in the exit menu). Also, check if the drive is in AHCI mode vs. IDE mode — Windows may fail to boot if this setting changed. Switch to AHCI if it’s on IDE, or vice versa, and try again.

Will I lose my files if I run bootrec?

No. The bootrec commands only repair the boot sector and boot configuration data. They do not touch your personal files. However, if the drive is failing, those files may already be at risk, so back them up before attempting repairs if possible.

How do I know if my hard drive is completely dead?

If the drive is not detected in BIOS after reseating and trying different cables, it is likely dead. Other signs include clicking or grinding noises, or the drive getting very hot. You can test it by connecting it to another computer as a secondary drive — if it doesn’t appear there, it’s dead.

What is the difference between “no bootable device” and “operating system not found”?

They are essentially the same error, just worded differently. Both mean the firmware couldn’t find a valid bootable OS on any available device. The fixes are identical.

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