Booting from USB not working

[Telecm1957]

Been trying to setup my system to dual boot Win 11 and Ubuntu.  I have a USB setup by Rufus.  When trying to boot off the USB, even after changing the startup options in BIOS, my USB is not being recognized.  Is this the secure boot issue?  When I try to disable the secure boot, I get a screen asking to enter a code, but no keys are recognized.

[Kuroi_Kenshi · Accepted solution]

Hi @Telecm1957,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP laptop is not recognizing your USB drive when trying to boot into Ubuntu. Let’s go through a few steps to check what could be causing this.

Check USB Drive and Creation Method

Ensure the USB drive is properly created using Rufus with the correct partition scheme (GPT for UEFI, MBR for legacy BIOS).

Try recreating the bootable USB using the “DD image” mode in Rufus instead of “ISO mode,” which sometimes improves UEFI compatibility.

Verify USB Port

Connect the USB to a USB 2.0 port instead of USB 3.0/3.1, as some laptops do not detect USB 3.x drives during boot.

Check BIOS Boot Order

Enter BIOS (usually F10 during startup) → System Configuration → Boot Options.

Ensure the USB drive is listed and prioritized above the internal drive.

Secure Boot Issue

Disabling Secure Boot is often required for Ubuntu.

When prompted for a code (Setup Password), you may need to first set an administrator or BIOS password before Secure Boot can be disabled.

After setting the password, you should be able to disable Secure Boot and then save and exit.

Enable Legacy/UEFI Compatibility (if needed)

Some systems require enabling Legacy Boot or “CSM” for certain USB drives.

Check if your BIOS has an option for Legacy Boot and try enabling it temporarily.

Test USB on Another System

To rule out USB or image corruption, test the same USB on a different PC to see if it boots successfully.

Check for BIOS Updates

Some boot issues are resolved with the latest BIOS version. Check HP Support Assistant or the HP website for updates.

Try a Different USB Drive

Occasionally, certain USB drives are not recognized by HP’s UEFI firmware. Using a different brand or size can help.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[Telecm1957]

Thank you for the reply.  I was able to turn off the secure boot feature in BIOS, and install Ubuntu.  Now, when I select my windows boot, windows 11 boots up normally until I try to enter my PIN.  I get a message that the PIN is not available, and to setup my PIN, but won't allow me to enter anything.  I never get a text box to enter my PIN.  When I change my BIOS to enable secure boot, then windows boots and runs normally, but I loose my access to my Ubuntu boot.  The menu never shows up for me to make a selection.  Are you aware of anything that can be done in Ubuntu to fix this?  Do I need to restart the process again with the USB drive, and try again without disabling the secure boot?

Thank  you for your time.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @Telecm1957,

Thanks for the update. It looks like you’re running into the common dual-boot conflict between Windows 11 Secure Boot and Ubuntu bootloader (GRUB). Here’s a clear breakdown and steps you can take:

Why the PIN Issue Happens

Windows Hello PIN relies on Secure Boot and the TPM.

When Secure Boot is disabled, Windows can’t verify TPM integrity, so it blocks PIN login.

Re-enabling Secure Boot lets Windows PIN work, but Ubuntu (without signed bootloader) can’t boot.

Dual-Boot Considerations

Windows 11 requires Secure Boot enabled for certain features like PIN login and BitLocker.

Ubuntu needs either a signed bootloader or Secure Boot temporarily disabled.

The goal is to have both systems coexist without breaking Secure Boot.

Recommended Steps

A. Install Ubuntu in UEFI mode with Secure Boot enabled

Use Rufus or BalenaEtcher to recreate the USB.

Make sure partition scheme is GPT for UEFI.

Download Ubuntu signed version (with shim-signed) so it supports Secure Boot.

Boot from USB with Secure Boot ON.

Install Ubuntu alongside Windows. The GRUB bootloader should now be signed and work with Secure Boot.

B. Repair GRUB for Secure Boot

Boot Ubuntu from a live USB.

Install boot-repair:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:yannubuntu/boot-repair 

sudo apt update 

sudo apt install -y boot-repair 

boot-repair

Select “Recommended Repair”. This will configure GRUB to allow dual-boot with Secure Boot enabled.

C. Alternative (if above fails)

Use Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) instead of dual-boot.

This avoids Secure Boot conflicts entirely.

Key Notes

Avoid disabling Secure Boot permanently if you want Windows Hello PIN.

Ensure Ubuntu installation uses the signed bootloader (shimx64.efi) to work with Secure Boot.

Reinstalling Ubuntu may be faster than trying to patch the old one for Secure Boot compatibility.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,