
No Bootable Device Found – What It Means and How to Fix It
“No Bootable Device Found” – What It Means and How to Fix It
Few things are more alarming than turning on your computer and seeing the message: “No Bootable Device Found.”
This error means your system can’t locate an operating system to start from, leaving you stuck at startup. But don’t panic—this is often fixable with a few steps.
What It Is:
Your computer is trying to start up (or “boot”) but can’t find a drive that has a valid operating system (like Windows, Linux, or macOS). As a result, it halts and shows an error on screen.

Common Causes:
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🛠️ Disconnected or Failed Hard Drive: The internal drive may have come loose (especially if the computer was dropped or opened recently), or the drive may have failed entirely.
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⚙️ Incorrect BIOS/UEFI Settings: If the boot order is wrong, the system might try to boot from the wrong device—like an empty USB port or network device.
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🔄 Corrupted Bootloader or OS Files: Sometimes system files are damaged due to a failed update or improper shutdown, making the drive unreadable during boot.
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🔌 Loose or Damaged SATA/Power Cables: Physical connections from the motherboard to the hard drive might be loose or damaged.
How to Fix It:
1. Check the Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI
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Restart the computer and enter BIOS/UEFI (usually by pressing F2, F10, DEL, or ESC during startup).
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Navigate to the Boot menu.
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Ensure your system drive (e.g., SSD or HDD) is listed first in the boot sequence.
2. Reconnect or Reseat Internal Drives
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Power off your PC and unplug it.
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Open the case (if it’s a desktop) or access the drive bay (for laptops).
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Ensure all cables connected to your drive are secure. If it’s a laptop with a removable hard drive, make sure it’s seated properly.
3. Run a Diagnostic Tool
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Many PCs offer built-in diagnostics you can access from the BIOS menu.
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Run a hard drive test to check for hardware failure.
4. Use a Bootable USB or Recovery Media
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If the system files are corrupted, boot from a recovery drive or installation media.
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Use the repair options to fix startup issues:
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On Windows: Choose “Startup Repair”.
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On macOS: Boot into Recovery Mode and use Disk Utility.
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5. Replace the Drive (If Necessary)
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If the drive has failed (you’ll often hear clicking noises or get error codes), it may need replacing.
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Restore your OS from a backup or reinstall it using recovery media.
At PC Expert Services, we are committed to providing accurate and reliable repair estimates. To ensure this, we offer a free diagnostic service to thoroughly assess your device and identify the exact issue.