How to Fix Boot Device Not Found Windows 11 [Diagnostic Steps]

Error: Boot device not found

The "Boot Device Not Found" error is a common occurrence on Windows 11 and can be attributed to various factors. Understanding the root causes is crucial for implementing targeted solutions. This error typically surfaces when the system is unable to locate a bootable device, leaving users stranded at the startup screen.

This article includes several potential causes and efficient solutions for the boot issue on Windows 11.

Why my boot device cannot found

☞ Corrupted Boot Configuration Data (BCD): The BCD contains essential information about how the operating system should start. Corruption in this data can lead to the "Boot Device Not Found" error.

☞ Hard Drive Connection Issues: Loose or faulty connections between the hard drive and the motherboard can result in the system's inability to recognize the boot device.

☞ Faulty Boot Device: A malfunctioning hard drive or SSD may be the culprit. Bad sectors, hardware failures, or damaged components can trigger this error.

☞ Outdated or Incompatible Drivers: Using outdated or incompatible storage drivers can cause conflicts, resulting in the boot error.

How to fix boot device not found in Windows 11 Step by Step [5 Fixes]

The solutions to fix the "No Bootable Device" error in Windows 11 mainly include the following aspects:

• Check the physical connections
• Verify the BIOS/UEFI boot order
• Repair the damaged system files
• Update or reinstall the device driver
• Check disk health

Next, we will carefully introduce the specific steps to fix boot device not found in Windows 11.

Step 1: Check physical connections

Check internal cables (for desktop computers): Turn off the computer and power supply, locate the data and power cables connecting the hard drive or solid-state drive (SSD) inside the computer case, and carefully check if they are securely plugged into the hard drive and motherboard, and power supply. Gently tug on the cables; if they feel loose, reinsert them firmly.

Check the external drive connection: If you are using an external boot drive, check if the USB cable is securely connected to the computer's USB port and the external drive's port. If the external hard drive requires an external power supply, check if the power adapter is properly plugged in and if the power indicator light is on to ensure it is receiving a normal power supply.

Step 2: Access BIOS/UEFI settings

Take "HP boot device not found Windows 11" as an example, please follow the steps.

1. Restart the computer, and during the boot process, closely watch the prompt displayed on the screen. It usually briefly shows "Press F10 [Del/F2/Esc] to enter setup." Remember the corresponding key.

2. When the computer restarts to the corresponding screen, press the corresponding key to enter the BIOS or UEFI setup interface.

3. Use the arrow keys on the keyboard to find the "Boot" tab in the BIOS/UEFI interface and enter it.

4. In the boot device list, find the primary hard drive or SSD with the Windows 11 operating system installed, and move it to the top of the list using the arrow keys.

5. Press the Enter key to confirm the selection, then press the F10 key to save the settings and exit the BIOS/UEFI interface.

Step 3: Run system repair

Windows 11 provides an Automatic Repair option that can fix boot-related issues on Windows 11. You can boot from a Windows installation media and perform system repair.

1. Press the Win key + S to open the Windows search bar, type "cmd," and select "Run as administrator."

2. In the command prompt window, type "sfc /scannow" and press Enter. The system will start scanning and attempt to repair corrupted system files. This process may take anywhere from a few minutes to half an hour.

* Note: If the scan is completed but issues remain unresolved, enter "DISM /Online/Cleanup-Image /RestoreHealth" in the command prompt window and press Enter, then wait for the command to finish executing.

3. Restart the computer, and during the boot process, press the F11 key (some computers may use other keys, such as F8, Shift+F8, etc.) to enter the advanced startup options.

4. In the Advanced Startup Options, select "System Restore".

5. Choose a restore point when the computer was functioning normally, then click "Next" and wait for the system restore to complete.

Step 4: Update or reinstall the device driver

1. Press the Win key + R combination, type "devmgmt.msc" and hit Enter to open Device Manager.

2. Look for devices under the "Storage Controllers" and "Disk Drives". If there is a yellow exclamation mark next to the device icon, it indicates that there may be an issue with the device driver. Right-click on it, select "Update Driver" > "Search automatically for updated driver software."

3. If the automatic update fails, right-click on the device again, select "Uninstall".

4. Restart the computer, and the Windows system will automatically attempt to reinstall the drivers after the restart.

Step 5: Check disk health

Disk health is also important. If the internal hard drive is damaged due to disk errors or bad sectors, your computer/laptop may display "No bootable device." You can use the CHKDSK command to accomplish this.

1. Open the Command Prompt as an administrator and run the CHKDSK command to check for and fix disk errors.

2. Remove unnecessary files using Disk Cleanup to free up space and potentially address disk-related issues.

3. Use third-party tools to check the Self-Monitoring, Analysis and Reporting Technology (SMART) status of your hard drive, identifying potential failures.

Always backup your Windows in case of boot device failure

When facing issues like "Boot device not found" that could potentially cause Windows system failures, it is crucial to prepare backups in advance, and AOMEI Cyber Backup is an effective backup software for this purpose.

In terms of backup strategy, AOMEI Cyber Backup supports features such as automatic backup, incremental backup, hot backup, automatic cleanup of old backups, and more, allowing you to easily back up to local drives, external storage devices, network shared folders, the cloud, etc.

It also has numerous advantages and can always protect your system.

• First of all, it supports centralized management. Through a simple and easy-to-use central console, it can easily manage backups for unlimited devices, whether they are multiple devices within a company or different terminals owned by individuals.
• Secondly, it can easily create image-based virtual machine backups, significantly speeding up disaster recovery and minimizing the losses caused by downtime.
• Moreover, it is compatible with both Windows and Linux systems. Whether it's protecting Windows PCs used for daily office work, critical enterprise servers, virtual machine environments built on VMware or Hyper-V, or even important data in MSSQL servers, it can provide comprehensive backup protection.

Download and install AOMEI Cyber Backup from the button below for data protection:

✍Follow the easier steps to create a Windows system backup:

1. Navigate to "Backup" tab after opening this software, then choose "Create New Task" > "System Backup".

2. Select a system you want to back up. Then choose the connected external hard drive to save the backup.

3. Schedule backup method as full / incremental / differential backup and run the backup tasks at daily / weekly / monthly.

4. Configure retention policy to auto delete the old backup files and save storage space.

5. Click Start Backup to protect your system.

Conclusion

Resolving the "Boot Device Not Found" error in Windows 11 requires a systematic approach. By understanding the common causes and following diagnostic steps, you can troubleshoot and resolve this issue effectively. Whether it's addressing connection problems, running system restore, or checking disk health, taking these steps will help ensure a smooth and error-free boot experience on your Windows 11 system.

In conclusion, don't let the "Boot Device Not Found" error disrupt your computing experience. Armed with this comprehensive guide, you can navigate through the troubleshooting process and bring your Windows 11 system back to life. Remember, patience and persistence are key as you work through each step to restore seamless boot functionality.