The “Boot Device Not Found” is very common on HP, Dell, Acer, and Lenovo Windows computers. It can come up anytime while using your PC. You must understand what this error means?
In this article, TechNinjaPro will give you a detailed definition of this error before providing comprehensive solutions.
What Boot Device Not Found Means?
Boot error occurs very unexpectedly and causes data loss. If you have seen this error, it has appeared like “Boot Device Not Found. Please install an operating system on your hard disk 3f0.” This error means that the computer could not find the boot device required to start the PC properly.
The operating system is loaded into the Random Access Memory (RAM) during the booting process, and the Basic Input-Output System (BIOS) is also important. These are some of the messages that you may see with the error:
- Hard drives damaged or partitions corrupted.
- The boot sequence is incorrect.
- System or boot files that have been corrupted.
- Malware or a virus.
- Problem with the hard drive.
- Boot sector that has been damaged.
Cause of Boot Device Not Found Error
If your computer’s hard drive cannot support the boot process, it will give you the Boot Device Not Found error. As the message suggests, Windows OS cannot boot from bootable media. Internal hard drives, external USB drives, optical CD/DVD ROM drives, and network adapters are common examples.
When the error message appears on your computer screen, the computer will no longer start normally. As a result, you should immediately determine what is causing the bootable drive to disappear. Here are some of the causes that TechNinjaPro has gathered:
- In the BIOS, the boot order is incorrect.
- It is having trouble connecting to your hard drive.
- The Master Boot Record (MBR) or boot sector on the bootable disk is corrupted.
- Due to unintentional harm to the system or boot files.
- Other external threats such as system-protected third-party apps, viruses, and ransomware.
Fix the Boot Device Not Found Error
1. Reset Computer Hard Drive
The error can occur due to any issue with the hard drive’s connection with the boot device. You can follow the steps given below to reset the Hard Disk Drive of your computer:
- You need to switch off your computer, so press the power button for 10-15 seconds.
- Unplug the charger as well as any other connected external devices.
- Disconnect your hard drive and wait 15 seconds before reconnecting it.
- Assemble the computer again.
- Hit the power button on your computer in the normal routine.
2. Check Any Issue With Hard Drive
Any faulty storage clusters in your hard drive can also cause this issue. Such Clusters can be built with time as a result of physical damage. In addition, bad sectors can slow down the system by refusing to respond to read/write requests.
This multi-step method requires you to find and correct the sectors. This can be a difficult and time-consuming operation. You may need to hire a data recovery expert to fix the problem.
TechNinjaPro suggests you use EaseUS Partition Master, which will assist you in quick and easy performing a surface test for bootable disks. EaseUS is a professional partition and disks management tool.
Because you cannot start the system on your present computer, you will need first to make a WinPE bootable disk, then boot your computer from the bootable disk to check and repair faulty sectors.
Check and fix the bootable hard disk by booting from the WinPE disc.
- To begin, get EaseUS Partition Master and Open it.
- In the EaseUS Partition Master window, Right-click the disk you want to check, select Advanced and Surface Test.
- The procedure will be carried out right away, and all bad areas will be highlighted in red.
There are two types of bad sectors: bad logical and physical sectors. Logical bad sectors can be resolved through the computer; however, if your hard drive has too many physical bad sectors, resulting in a boot device not found error, you may need to consider replacing it.
3. Reset BIOS Default Settings
The issue may be caused by your PC being configured incorrectly to boot from an unbootable disk or device. You should double-check your BIOS settings to rule out this possibility.
Follow the steps to reset your PC’s BIOS settings:
- To switch off your computer, press the power button for 10-15 seconds.
- Now turn on your computer and keep pressing the BIOS key (The handbook for your motherboard will tell you the BIOS key) until you enter the BIOS settings menu.
- To return to the default BIOS settings, press F9 once you’ve entered the BIOS.
- To save and exit the menu, press F10.
- When prompted “Exit Saving Changes?” select Yes and click Enter.
- To restart the computer, follow the on-screen instructions.
4. Repair and rebuild a corrupted MBR
MBR is a short form of Master Boot Record, which is data about how and where an operating system is stored to be loaded into the computer’s primary storage and random access memory. MBR can be found in the first sector of any hard drive or diskette.
Boot device not found error may occur due to the corrupted MBR. In addition, malware, disk failure, or MBR overwrite can all cause MBR damage. In this scenario, you should fix the problem by rebuilding the MBR.
In this process, EaseUs Partition Master will provide you with comprehensive assistance until you solve the issue. Firstly, you need to create a WinPE bootable disk, so follow the steps given below:
- Get EaseUS Partition Master and open it.
- Next, go to the toolbar and Choose WinPE Creator.
- Select USB drive as the location for the bootable disk.
- If your computer has one, you may also create the bootable disk on a CD/DVD.
- To complete the process, click “Proceed.”
Now follow the steps to Boot EaseUS Partition Master Bootable USB:
- Connect your PC to the bootable USB or CD/DVD.
- When you restart the computer, use F2 or Del to enter the BIOS panel (The handbook for your motherboard will tell you the BIOS key). Set your computer’s boot order to “Removable Devices” or “CD-ROM Drive.” After that, EaseUS Partition Master will operate on its own.
After this, follow the steps to Rebuild MBR:
- Right-click the disc whose MBR is damaged and select Properties. To proceed, select “Rebuild MBR.”
- Choose the MBR type that corresponds to the current operating system. Then press “OK.”
- To construct the MBR, click the “Execute Operation” button in the top-left corner and then “Apply.” After that, you may restart your computer normally.
5. Perform a Hard Reset on your PC
Hard Reset should be the last option, as it will wipe out all of the data saved on your computer. As a result, any error on your computer will also be removed, and you will be able to reconnect all connections.
Two methods can be used to do the forced reset of any PC. Follow the steps to Hard Reset with removable battery:
- First, Shut down your computer.
- Next, unplug the charger and disconnect all external devices.
- Finally, remove the battery from the device.
- Hold the power button down for 10-15 seconds to drain any power in the PC
- Put the battery back in the laptop.
- Connect the charger.
- Turn on the computer by pressing the power button.
- If prompted, choose “Start Windows Normally” and let it boot normally.
- Install the latest Windows update.
Follow the steps to Hard Reset with a non-removable battery:
- Turn off your computer.
- Unplug the charger and disconnect all external devices.
- Hold the power button down for 10-15 seconds to ensure that the power is drained.
- Connect the power.
- Turn on the computer by pressing the power button.
- If prompted, choose “Start Windows Normally” and let it boot normally.
- Install the latest Windows update.
Conclusion
This article consists of the best fixes for the Boot Device Not Found. You can try any of the fixes to solve your problem. But If none of the above methods helps you address the boot device not detected an error in Windows 10, you may contact our technical support staff.