Fix "No Bootable Device Found Windows 10" Error Easily

How to Fix "no bootable device found Windows 10" Error Step-by-Step

When your PC refuses to start and shows the "no bootable device found Windows 10" error, it can feel like your system is completely broken. This error is more common than you think, and it's usually caused by incorrect BIOS settings, damaged boot files, or a failing hard drive. But don’t panic — this detailed guide will walk you through what it means, why it happens, and how to fix it quickly, even if you’re not tech-savvy.

🔍 What Does "No Bootable Device Found Windows 10" Mean?

In simple terms, this error means that your computer is unable to find a drive with a valid Windows operating system to boot from. The message may appear on a black screen with text like:

• "No bootable device – insert boot disk and press any key"
• "No bootable device found Windows 10"
• "Boot device not detected"

It’s most commonly seen in laptops (Acer, Dell, HP, Lenovo), especially after a Windows update, power failure, or BIOS changes.

⚠️ Common Reasons Behind This Error

• Wrong boot order in BIOS/UEFI
• Corrupted boot files or missing OS
• Damaged or disconnected hard drive
• Switched boot mode (UEFI vs Legacy)
• BIOS settings reset after battery failure
• Hard disk failure or bad sectors

🛠️ Step-by-Step Fixes for "No Bootable Device Found Windows 10"

1. Check Boot Order in BIOS

Restart your PC and press F2, DEL, or ESC to enter BIOS/UEFI (depending on your laptop brand). Navigate to the Boot Order or Boot Priority menu and make sure your internal hard drive or SSD is listed first. Save and exit.

2. Switch Boot Mode (UEFI or Legacy)

In BIOS, locate the boot mode option. If it's set to UEFI, try switching to Legacy, or vice versa. This setting must match the way your Windows OS was installed originally.

3. Use Windows Recovery Tool

If you have a bootable Windows USB or DVD, insert it and restart the PC. Then:

1. Choose your language and region
2. Click "Repair your computer"
3. Select "Troubleshoot" > "Advanced Options" > "Startup Repair"

Let Windows try to automatically repair the startup issue.

4. Rebuild Boot Configuration Data (BCD)

In recovery mode, open Command Prompt and type the following:

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

This rebuilds the boot sector and solves bootloader issues that often cause "no bootable device found Windows 10" errors.

5. Run Disk Check

Still in Command Prompt, check the health of the drive:

chkdsk c: /f /r

If your hard drive has bad sectors, this tool will attempt to fix them.

6. Test Drive Health with BIOS Diagnostics

Most laptops offer built-in diagnostics. On startup, press F12 or ESC to open the diagnostics tool. Run a hard disk test. If your drive fails this test, it's likely damaged and needs replacement.

💻 Brand-Specific Tips

✔️ Acer

For "no bootable device Acer laptop", disable Secure Boot in BIOS and enable Legacy Boot. Then set HDD or SSD as the first boot option.

✔️ Dell

If you're seeing "no bootable device Dell BIOS", try resetting BIOS to default settings (press F9 in BIOS), then adjust the boot order again.

✔️ HP

Use HP’s diagnostics (press F2) to check drive failure. Also, disable Fast Boot and Secure Boot in BIOS if the issue persists.

📘 My Experience Fixing This Error

(My Experience)
Last month, I was helping a relative with their Acer Aspire laptop that wouldn’t boot and kept showing the "no bootable device found Windows 10" error. They had just finished a Windows Update, and suddenly the laptop refused to start.

We first tried changing the BIOS boot order — didn’t work. Then I realized their BIOS was set to UEFI but their old Windows installation was done in Legacy mode. We changed the boot mode from UEFI to Legacy, and guess what — the system booted right away!

I then backed up all the data and reinstalled Windows in UEFI mode to prevent this in the future. The whole fix took less than an hour and saved them from paying a technician.

🧠 Final Tips and Prevention

• Always back up your system regularly to an external drive or cloud
• Don’t turn off the PC during BIOS or Windows updates
• Label your drives properly and don’t mess with BIOS settings unless needed
• Use a good SSD for faster and more reliable boot

📝 Conclusion

The "no bootable device found Windows 10" error may seem scary, but in most cases, it’s fixable with a few BIOS adjustments or boot repairs. Try each step carefully, and you’ll likely bring your PC back to life without reinstalling Windows or replacing hardware.

Did these steps work for you? Have a different brand/model or issue? Share your experience in the comments — it might help someone else too!