My computer says boot device not found

[Alabama3]

How to reboot hp laptop

[Alden4]

Hi @Alabama3,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

If your HP laptop is showing a "boot device not found" error, it typically indicates an issue with either the hard drive or the operating system. Here are some steps you can try to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue.

• Check BIOS/UEFI Settings: Restart your HP laptop and enter the BIOS or UEFI settings by pressing the designated key during startup (usually F2, F10, Del, or Esc). Ensure that the boot order is set correctly, with the hard drive listed as the primary boot device.
• Restart the Laptop: Sometimes, a simple restart can fix temporary issues. Turn off your laptop, wait for a few seconds, and then turn it back on.
• Disconnect External Devices: Disconnect any external devices such as USB drives, external hard drives, or SD cards. Sometimes, these devices can interfere with the boot process.
• Check Hard Drive Connections: If you're comfortable opening your laptop, ensure that the hard drive is properly connected. If it's a newer laptop with an SSD, make sure it's securely seated in its slot.
• Run Built-in Diagnostics: Many HP laptops have built-in diagnostics tools that can help identify hardware issues. You can usually access these tools by pressing a specific key during startup (often F2 or F12). Run a diagnostic scan to check for any hardware problems, particularly with the hard drive.
• Try Safe Mode: If your laptop boots into Windows but you still encounter the error, try booting into Safe Mode. Press F8 repeatedly during startup to access the Advanced Boot Options menu, then select Safe Mode. If it boots successfully, there may be a software issue causing the problem.
• Use Recovery Options: If you have a Windows installation disc or a recovery USB drive, you can try using it to repair your operating system. Boot from the installation disc or USB drive and choose the repair option.
• Reinstall Windows: If none of the above steps work and you suspect a corrupted operating system, you may need to reinstall Windows. You can do this using a Windows installation disc or USB drive.

Remember to back up your important data before attempting any troubleshooting steps that involve reinstalling Windows or making changes to your hard drive.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support