What can i do if boot device not found in my HP laptop

[FloydShisuti]

When i switched on my HP laptop 💻 it's says " boot device not found"  and it's says " please install an operating system on your hard disk". Please assist 

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @FloydShisuti 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I'm really sorry you're seeing that “boot device not found” message—it must feel like your laptop has completely shut you out. Let’s walk through a few steps to help bring it back to life and restore access to your system.

Try these steps to resolve the boot device error:

1. Perform a Hard Reset

This clears temporary hardware glitches.

• Turn off the laptop completely
• Disconnect the power adapter and remove any external devices
• Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds
• Reconnect the power and turn it on

 

2. Check BIOS Boot Order

Your laptop may be trying to boot from the wrong device.

• Turn on the laptop and immediately press Esc, then F10 to enter BIOS Setup
• Navigate to the Boot tab
• Ensure the internal hard drive is listed first in the boot order
• If it’s missing or not detected, continue to the next step

 

3. Run HP Hardware Diagnostics

This checks whether the hard drive is physically working.

• Turn on the laptop and press Esc, then F2 to open HP PC Hardware Diagnostics
• Select Component Tests > Hard Drive > Quick Test
• If the test fails or the drive isn’t detected, it may need replacement

 

4. Check for Loose Drive Connection (if accessible)

If your laptop has a removable bottom panel:

• Power off and remove the battery (if applicable)
• Open the panel and gently reseat the hard drive
• Close the panel and restart the laptop

 

5. Use a Bootable USB to Reinstall Windows

If the hard drive is healthy but the OS is missing or corrupted:

• Create a bootable USB using the Windows Media Creation Tool
• Insert the USB and restart the laptop
• Press Esc, then F9 to open the boot menu
• Select the USB drive and follow the prompts to reinstall Windows

Let me know what you observe after trying these steps—especially whether the hard drive is detected in BIOS or diagnostics. That will help determine the next best move.

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Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye