PC Suddenly Boots Straight Into UEFI BIOS Instead of Windows
Asked by
MellowCedar42
My PC was working normally last night, but when I tried to use it today, it had opened the UEFI BIOS settings and now won't boot into the operating system. The computer wasn't moved, and no cables or components were unplugged. I've already spent a couple of hours trying common fixes without success. What should I check to get it booting normally again?
Answers
This could be a failing boot drive or damaged boot files. Check whether the BIOS detects the drive, along with your memory and other components. If you have a bootable operating-system USB or another drive, try starting from that to help determine whether the issue is the drive or the rest of the system. If the drive is detected, the boot files may be repairable; if it isn’t detected, the drive or its connection is more likely the problem.
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Try a complete power reset rather than just restarting. Shut the computer down, unplug it from the wall, hold the power button for about 30 seconds, then reconnect it and turn it on. This can clear an unusual firmware state and has fixed similar boot-to-BIOS problems.
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First check whether the BIOS can actually see your storage drive. If it’s listed, verify that it’s selected as the first boot device, then try saving and exiting with F10. You can also restore the default BIOS settings and reboot. A BIOS reset from a weak motherboard battery or a power fluctuation can sometimes change the boot configuration.
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CopperMoth19: If the drive isn’t listed at all, power the PC down and reseat it. For an NVMe drive, remove and reinstall it; for a SATA drive, check both the data and power connections.