Getting UEFI Boot Issues Sorted in Windows 11
Fixing those pesky UEFI boot problems on your Windows 11 rig isn’t as scary as it sounds. Usually, it’s just a matter of tidying up some boot settings or fixing corrupted boot files—nothing too tricky. You’ll be poking around in your PC’s UEFI setup, adjusting boot order, and using Windows recovery tools to get everything back on track. Fair dinkum, it might take a bit of trial and error, but it’s worth it to chuck out those boot error messages when you least expect them.
If your PC suddenly won’t start, the first thing to do is get into the UEFI settings and have a look at the boot order. Sometimes your main drive isn’t at the top, which can cause a bit of a bother—classic Windows surprise.
How to Get into UEFI Settings
Alright, first up, restart your PC. As it boots up, mash the right key (most likely F2 or Delete—but don’t quote me!). Sometimes, your screen will flash which key to press. If you miss it, no worries—just give it another reboot and try again. It’s a bit frustrating, but hey, practice makes perfect, right?
On some setups, it takes a few goes to hit the correct key to get into UEFI. Keep trying until you see the setup menu.
Navigating UEFI Firmware
Once you’re in, you’ll see a heap of options. The main goal? Find the UEFI Firmware Settings. A quicker way? Boot into Windows and jump straight to UEFI from there:
Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart nowOr, open a Command Prompt or PowerShell and run:
shutdown /r /o /f /t 00After rebooting, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings and select Restart to land in UEFI.
Fixing the Boot Order
Now, in UEFI, look for the Boot tab. Check what devices are listed. Your main Windows drive should show up as Windows Boot Manager. If it’s not first in the list, that’s a problem. Use the keyboard arrows and follow the on-screen instructions to move it to the top. You might need to press F5 or a similar key—depends on your motherboard.
Don’t Forget to Save
Once you’ve sorted the order, save your changes—usually by pressing F10 or selecting Save & Exit. Confirm any prompts. Your PC will restart with the new settings. Fingers crossed, it’ll boot up properly this time!
If Things Still Go Pear-Shaped: Windows Recovery
If it’s still not working, you might need to force your PC into Windows Recovery. Do this by shutting down your PC three times in a row during startup, or if you can, hop into Windows and select:
Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart nowOr run:
shutdown /r /o /f /t 00This should boot you into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE), where you’ll find tools to fix your boot issues.
Give Startup Repair a Try
Once in WinRE, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair. This handy tool will check your system for missing or corrupted boot files and try to fix them automatically. If it doesn’t do the trick, you can try entering some commands in the Command Prompt, like:
bootrec /fixmbr
bootrec /fixboot
bootrec /scanos
bootrec /rebuildbcdThese commands help sort out boot sector issues and rebuild your Boot Configuration Data—crucial stuff for UEFI booting.
Final Tips on Fixing UEFI Boot
Navigating through UEFI problems in Windows 11 isn’t rort science; it’s just a matter of patience. Usually, it’s a matter of fixing the boot order or tidying up boot files. Stick to these steps, and you’ll save yourself some grey hairs and get your PC running like a beauty again.
And don’t forget to keep your BIOS/UEFI firmware up to date—check your manufacturer’s website for updates. It’s also a good idea to create a Windows recovery drive now and then. That way, you’ve got a handy backup to fix boot problems if things go belly up, especially when it feels like your OS is staging a bit of a rebellion.
MediaCreationTool21H2.exe /e:%USBDriveLetter%Booting from a recovery USB can be a lifesaver. Just hit the boot menu key (often F12 or similar) at startup, pick the USB, and you’re away. Fingers crossed this helps someone save heaps of time!