Informática y Tecnología

Boot device not found: how to fix this problem

Post actualizado el día September 27, 2026 by DeiviSanzPlay

Surely at some point, when turning on your computer, you have encountered the annoying message <a href="https://www.chusmeando.com/informatica-y-tecnologia/pantalla-azul-con-inaccessible-boot–device-aprende-a-solucionarlo-con-modo-seguro-reparacion-de-inicio-y-comandos-bootrec/” title=”How to Fix the Inaccessible Boot Device Error”>”Boot device not found“. It can be terrifying, especially if you need to quickly access your system. This error usually occurs when your computer cannot find the device of boot needed to start the operating system. But don’t worry, this problem is quite common and has a solution. I will explain step by step how to solve this problem and get your computer working properly again.

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<a href="https://www.chusmeando.com/informatica-y-tecnologia/por-que-hay-problems-con-spotify-reportados-hoy/” title=”Why were problems with Spotify reported today?”>Why does the message “Boot device not found” appear? This error generally indicates that the computer cannot find the hard drive or the drive where the operating system is installed. This can be due to several reasons, such as a disconnected cable, damage to the hard drive, an incorrect BIOS configuration, or even problems with the operating system itself. The good news is that there are solutions for each of these problems.

How to fix the “Boot device not found” error begins with a simple but important check: make sure that your hard drive or SSD is properly connected. Sometimes, the connection cables can come loose or loosen, especially if your computer is moved or transported frequently. If the data cable or power cable is not properly connected, your system will not be able to find the boot device. To correct this problem, turn off your computer, open the case, and check the hard drive connections. Make sure they are firmly connected.

If the error persists after checking the connections, the next thing you can do is check the BIOS settings. The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the system your computer uses to recognize boot devices at startup. If for some reason the hard drive has been disabled in the BIOS settings, your computer will not be able to detect it. To access the BIOS, restart your computer and press the corresponding key (usually F2, DEL, or ESC, depending on the manufacturer) before the operating system starts. Once inside the BIOS, check that the hard drive is enabled in the list of boot devices. If it is not, enable it and save the changes.

Steps to fix the “Boot device not found” error can also include checking the boot order in the BIOS. If you have more than one device connected, such as a USB drive or an external disk, make sure the main hard drive is set as the first boot device. If it is not at the top of the list, change the boot order so that your hard drive or SSD loads first. Save the changes and restart your computer. This should solve the problem if it was a simple configuration adjustment.

How to solve the “Boot device not found” problem? Another possible solution is to perform a reset of the BIOS default settings. If you have made changes in the BIOS that could have caused the error, restoring the default values can be an effective solution. To do this, enter the BIOS and select the option to reset to default values or optimize the default settings. This can fix problems related to incorrect BIOS settings.

If the problem persists, it may be that your hard drive or SSD is damaged or has some fault. In that case, the best thing to do is test the hard drive in another computer or use a diagnostic tool to check its status. Many hard drive brands have their own tools that you can download to perform a complete diagnosis. If the hard drive does not pass the diagnostic tests, you may need to replace it.

Solutions for the “Boot device not found” error when starting the computer also include the possibility that the operating system is damaged or corrupted. If your computer finds the disk but cannot start the system, it may be that the operating system’s boot file is corrupted. In this case, you can try to repair the operating system using an installation disk or a bootable USB drive. Insert the installation media and select the option to repair startup or repair the system. This option should fix any damaged boot files and allow your computer to start correctly.

How to repair the “Boot device not found” error on your PC also involves making sure that the computer’s boot mode is compatible with the type of hard drive you are using. For example, if your computer is set to boot in UEFI mode and you have an older hard drive, you may need to change the BIOS setting to Legacy mode so that it can recognize the hard drive. Make sure to check this option in the BIOS and adjust it as needed.

Effective methods to fix “Boot device not found” also include checking whether the hard drive has bad sectors. If possible, use tools such as CHKDSK (available in the Windows command line) to scan and correct any errors on the hard drive that may be causing the problem.

What to do when the “Boot device not found” error appears when turning on the computer? If after trying all of the above, the problem persists, it might be a good idea to contact a specialized technician. If you are not sure how to perform these checks or if you believe the problem is related to the hardware, a technician can help you diagnose and solve the problem professionally.

Finally, restoring the BIOS settings to fix “Boot device not found” can be the last option if all the previous solutions do not work. Resetting the BIOS to its default settings can eliminate any incorrect configuration and allow the computer to find the boot device again.