No Bootable Device Found Windows 10? 13 Proven Ways to Fix It (Complete Guide)
- No Bootable Device Found
- No Boot Device Found
- Boot Device Not Found
- No Bootable Devices
- Operating System Not Found
This problem means your computer cannot locate the storage device that contains the Windows operating system files needed to start your PC.
The good news is that this error does not always mean your hard drive has failed. In many cases, it can be fixed by changing BIOS settings, repairing Windows boot files, checking disk errors, or reconnecting hardware components.
In this complete guide, you will learn what causes the No Bootable Device Found Windows 10 error and how to fix it step by step without reinstalling Windows.
What Does "No Bootable Device Found" Mean?
A bootable device is a storage device that contains the files required to start a computer.
Examples of bootable devices include:
- Internal Hard Disk Drive (HDD)
- Solid State Drive (SSD)
- USB flash drive
- DVD or CD drive
- External storage devices
When you turn on your computer, the BIOS or UEFI firmware checks available storage devices and searches for Windows startup files.
If it cannot find a valid Windows installation, your computer shows the message:
No Bootable Device Found
In simple words, your computer knows that it needs Windows to start, but it cannot find where Windows is installed.
Why Does Windows 10 Show the No Bootable Device Found Error?
There are several reasons why this error appears. The most common causes include:
- Incorrect BIOS boot order
- Windows Boot Manager is missing
- Damaged Master Boot Record (MBR)
- Corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD)
- Corrupted Windows system files
- Hard drive file system errors
- SSD or HDD is not detected
- Loose SATA or power cable connection
- Wrong BIOS or UEFI settings
- Inactive Windows system partition
- Failed hard drive or SSD
- Interrupted Windows update
- Power failure during startup repair
Before replacing your hard drive or reinstalling Windows, try the repair methods below.
Before Trying Advanced Fixes
Start with these simple checks. Sometimes the problem can be solved within minutes.
Remove All External Devices
Sometimes Windows fails to start because your computer tries to boot from another device instead of your Windows drive.
Disconnect:
- USB flash drives
- External hard drives
- Memory cards
- DVD discs
- Other connected devices
After removing all external devices, restart your computer.
If Windows starts normally, the external device was preventing the correct boot process.
Check for Hard Drive Failure Signs
A failing hard drive can also cause the No Bootable Device Found error.
Look for these warning signs:
- Clicking or grinding noises from the hard drive
- Very slow computer performance
- Frequent freezing
- Missing files
- Blue screen errors
- Unexpected shutdowns
If you notice these symptoms, back up your important data immediately if possible.
Method 1 - Check BIOS Boot Order
One of the most common causes of the No Bootable Device Found error is an incorrect boot order.
Your computer may be trying to start from a USB drive, DVD, or another storage device instead of your Windows drive.
Step 1: Enter BIOS Setup
Restart your computer and immediately press the BIOS key repeatedly.
Common BIOS keys include:
- F2
- Delete
- F10
- F12
- Esc
The correct key depends on your computer manufacturer.
Step 2: Open Boot Settings
Inside the BIOS, find the Boot section.
Look for:
- Boot Priority
- Boot Order
- Boot Sequence
Step 3: Set Windows Boot Manager First
Make sure the following option is at the top:
- Windows Boot Manager
- Your SSD model
- Your HDD model
Save the changes by pressing F10 and restart your computer.
Method 2 - Check If Your SSD or Hard Drive Is Detected
If your BIOS cannot detect your storage device, Windows cannot start.
Enter the BIOS and check sections such as:
- Storage Information
- SATA Configuration
- Drive Information
If your SSD or HDD appears in the BIOS, continue with the next solutions.
If it does not appear:
- Turn off your computer completely.
- Disconnect the power cable.
- Reconnect SATA and power cables.
- Reseat the SSD or hard drive.
Desktop users should check both the SATA cable and motherboard connection.
Method 3 - Disconnect and Reconnect Hardware Components
A loose hardware connection can prevent your computer from detecting the boot drive.
Turn off your computer and reconnect:
- SSD or HDD cable
- SATA cable
- Power cable
- RAM modules
After reconnecting everything properly, start your computer again.
If the problem was caused by a loose connection, Windows should boot normally.
Method 4 - Run Windows Startup Repair
Windows 10 includes a built-in recovery tool called Startup Repair. It can automatically detect and fix many problems that prevent Windows from starting.
This tool can repair:
- Missing boot files
- Damaged startup configuration
- Boot manager problems
- Some system file errors
Steps to Run Startup Repair
Step 1: Insert a Windows 10 installation USB drive or DVD.
Step 2: Boot your computer from the installation media.
Step 3: Select your language and keyboard layout, then click Next.
Do not click Install now. Instead, select:
Repair your computer
Then go to:
Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Repair
Windows will scan your computer and attempt to repair startup problems automatically.
Method 5 - Set Windows System Partition as Active
The Windows system partition must be marked as Active for BIOS-based systems. If this partition is accidentally inactive, Windows may display the No Bootable Device Found error.
You can fix this using the DiskPart tool.
Important: Be careful when selecting partitions. Choosing the wrong partition may prevent Windows from starting.
Open Command Prompt from Recovery Mode
Boot using Windows installation media.
Go to:
Repair your computer → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Command Prompt
Type the following commands:
diskpart list disk select disk 0 list partition
Select the Windows system partition:
select partition 1 active exit
Restart your computer and check if Windows starts.
Method 6 - Repair Hard Drive Errors Using CHKDSK
Disk errors and damaged sectors can prevent Windows from booting correctly.
Windows includes a powerful repair tool called CHKDSK that checks the drive for errors and attempts to repair them.
Run the CHKDSK command.
Open Command Prompt (Run as administrator) from the Windows Recovery Environment.
Type:
chkdsk C: /f /r /x
Explanation of commands:
- /f - Fixes file system errors.
- /r - Finds bad sectors and attempts data recovery.
- /x - Forces the drive to disconnect before scanning.
The scanning process can take a long time depending on your hard drive size and condition.
After the scan completes, restart your computer.
Method 7 - Repair Corrupted Windows Files Using SFC
Damaged Windows system files can stop your computer from starting properly.
The System File Checker (SFC) tool scans Windows files and replaces corrupted files with healthy versions.
Run SFC Offline Scan
Open Command Prompt from Advanced Recovery Options.
Enter this command:
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=C:\ /offwindir=D:\Windows
Press Enter and wait until the process reaches 100%.
After the scan finishes, restart your computer.
If SFC finds corrupted files, it will automatically repair them when possible.
Method 8 - Repair Windows Image Using DISM
Sometimes SFC cannot repair Windows because the Windows image itself is damaged.
The DISM (Deployment Image Servicing and Management) tool repairs the Windows image and helps restore system stability.
Run DISM Command
From Command Prompt, enter:
DISM /Image:D:\ /Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth
Replace D: with the correct Windows installation drive letter if necessary.
After DISM completes, run the SFC command again:
sfc /scannow
Method 9 - Repair Master Boot Record (MBR)
The Master Boot Record (MBR) contains important information that helps your computer locate and start Windows.
If the MBR becomes corrupted, your computer may show:
- No Boot Device Found
- Operating System Not Found
- Windows startup failure
Repair MBR Using Bootrec Commands
Open Command Prompt from Windows Recovery Mode.
Run these commands one by one:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcd
If Windows asks:
Add installation to boot list?
Type:
Y
Press Enter.
Restart your computer after completing the commands.
Fix Bootrec /fixboot Access Denied Error
Some Windows 10 computers may show an "Access is denied" message when running bootrec /fixboot.
If this happens, try:
bootsect /nt60 sys
Then run:
bootrec /fixboot
Method 10 - Reset BIOS Settings to Default
Incorrect BIOS settings can prevent your computer from finding the Windows boot drive.
This can happen after:
- A BIOS update
- Changing boot settings
- Installing new hardware
- Changing storage configuration
How to Reset BIOS Settings
Restart your computer and enter BIOS Setup.
Look for an option such as:
- Load Default Settings
- Load Optimized Defaults
- Restore Factory Settings
Select the option, save the changes, and restart your computer.
If incorrect BIOS settings caused the problem, Windows should start normally.
Method 11 - Check SATA Mode Settings
The SATA controller mode determines how your motherboard communicates with your storage device.
Common SATA modes include:
- AHCI
- IDE
- RAID
If this setting changes unexpectedly, Windows may fail to boot.
Enter the BIOS and check:
Storage Configuration → SATA Mode
Make sure the setting matches the original Windows installation configuration.
Note: Do not randomly change SATA mode because it may create another boot problem.
Method 12 - Check SSD or Hard Drive Health
If all software repair methods fail, the storage device itself may be damaged.
A failing HDD or SSD can cause repeated boot errors.
Common Signs of a Failing Drive
- Computer freezes frequently
- Windows takes a long time to start
- Files become corrupted
- Clicking sounds from HDD
- Unexpected crashes
- SMART drive warnings
You can test your drive using:
- Manufacturer diagnostic tools
- Disk health monitoring software
- Another computer
If the drive is damaged, replacing it with a new SSD is usually the best solution.
Method 13 - Reinstall Windows 10
If none of the repair methods work and your hard drive is healthy, reinstalling Windows 10 may solve the problem.
Before reinstalling Windows:
- Backup important files if possible.
- Create a Windows 10 installation USB.
- Disconnect unnecessary devices.
- Install Windows on the correct drive.
A clean Windows installation can fix serious software corruption and damaged boot configurations.
How to Prevent the No Bootable Device Found Error
After fixing the problem, follow these tips to prevent it from happening again.
- Always shut down Windows properly.
- Avoid turning off your PC during Windows updates.
- Keep Windows and drivers updated.
- Create regular backups of important files.
- Check SSD/HDD health regularly.
- Use antivirus protection.
- Create Windows recovery media.
- Replace old hard drives before failure.
Conclusion
The No Bootable Device Found Windows 10 error may look like a serious hardware problem, but many cases can be fixed with simple troubleshooting steps.
The most common solutions are checking BIOS boot order, reconnecting hardware, repairing Windows startup files, running CHKDSK, using SFC and DISM tools, and rebuilding the MBR.
Start with the easiest solutions first. If your SSD or hard drive is detected and physically healthy, there is a good chance you can recover Windows without reinstalling the operating system.
However, if the storage device is failing, replacing the drive is the safest way to protect your data and restore reliable performance.
Did this guide help you fix the No Bootable Device Found error? Share which method worked for you in the comments. Your experience may help other Windows users.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does No Bootable Device Found mean in Windows 10?
The error means your computer cannot find a storage device containing Windows startup files. It can happen because of BIOS settings, damaged boot files, corrupted system files, or hard drive problems.
Can I fix No Bootable Device Found without reinstalling Windows?
Yes. Many users can fix this problem using BIOS changes, Startup Repair, CHKDSK, SFC, DISM, and boot repair commands.
Why is my SSD not showing as a boot device?
Your SSD may not appear because of loose connections, incorrect BIOS settings, corrupted boot files, or SSD failure.
How do I check if my hard drive is damaged?
You can check your drive using CHKDSK, SMART health tools, manufacturer diagnostic software, or by testing the drive on another computer.
Does resetting BIOS fix No Bootable Device Found?
Resetting the BIOS can fix the problem if incorrect BIOS settings caused the error. It cannot repair a physically damaged hard drive.
What is the difference between No Boot Device Found and Operating System Not Found?
No Boot Device Found usually means the BIOS cannot locate a bootable drive. Operating System Not Found means the drive is detected, but Windows startup files are missing or damaged.