How to Fix Boot Device Not Found in Windows 11
So, you boot up your Windows 11 PC, and instead of getting your desktop, you’re hit with that terrifying “Boot Device Not Found” message. Not the best way to start your day, especially if there’s work waiting. But don’t panic just yet—it’s often easier to resolve than it seems. With some troubleshooting, there’s a good chance of getting everything back on track without needing a full reinstall.
Check Those Hardware Connections
Here’s something that might sound too simple, but it’s worth checking—loose cables can often be the culprit. After moving your computer or even jostling the desk, connections to the hard drive or SSD can get loose. It takes just a minute to pop the case and make sure everything is snug—a wiggly SATA cable isn’t doing anyone any favors. If you’re booting from an external drive, double-check that it’s not only plugged in but powered up, too. You might just find that reseating a cable does the trick. Sometimes, it really is just about getting the connections right.
BIOS Settings: It Could Be Messing with You
Next up, it might be time for a detour into the BIOS. Yeah, it’s not the most thrilling way to spend your time, but it’s necessary. Restart the machine and hit the relevant key to enter BIOS—usually F2 or DEL—when the system is firing up. Don’t blink or you might miss it! Once you’re in, navigate to the Boot menu. Your main drive should be at the top of the Boot Priority list. If it isn’t, switch it around so that it knows where to look. A random crash or update can sometimes mess with these settings, leaving your PC all confused.
Make sure Secure Boot is enabled (if your system is using UEFI) and check the drive mode settings (IDE, AHCI, or RAID). For those using GPT partitioning, it’s essential that UEFI mode is set correctly.
Run a Hard Drive Diagnostic Test
If everything looks good on the hardware side and BIOS isn’t the issue, it’s time to check the health of your drive. Most systems have built-in diagnostics accessible from BIOS—look for something like “Diagnostics” in the menu. If yours doesn’t have one, there are third-party tools like Seagate SeaTools or CrystalDiskInfo that can help. You might need to create a bootable USB using a tool like Rufus and run these diagnostics from there. If your drive’s making some strange noises or throwing errors, that could be your red flag.
System Restore: Undo the Damage
If hardware and drive checks come up clean, another avenue to explore is System Restore—think of it like hitting rewind on your OS. You’ll need to boot into the Windows Recovery Environment for this. Usually, that means restarting while holding down Shift and clicking on Restart. If that’s not working, throwing a Windows 11 installation USB into the mix could help. Just make sure you made one with the Media Creation Tool.
Once you’re in there, head to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore and pick a restore point from before the fun began. If restore points are MIA, Startup Repair or a PC reset might have to do.
Reinstall Windows 11: The Last Resort
And if everything else fails and that darn message refuses to budge, reinstalling Windows could be the path forward. But before diving in, make sure you back up anything crucial. Boot from the Windows 11 installation USB made earlier. Hit F12, Esc, or whatever your manual suggests for boot options. At the setup screen, pick your language and click Next. Then, click Repair your computer if you want to troubleshoot, or go ahead with Install Now if you’re ready for a fresh start.
If going with a reset without losing all your files sounds appealing, choose Troubleshoot > Reset this PC and select Keep my files. Just a heads-up: a reinstall wipes system files, so a backup is essential.
Once you’ve gone through these steps, your Windows 11 should hopefully locate the boot device and get back to business. If it’s still throwing that error at you, though, it could mean a deeper hardware issue that might need a tech pro to check out.