I just finished building a new PC after switching from the AM4 platform to AM5. I tried to perform a clean Windows installation from a USB drive, but the system keeps looping back to the boot menu instead of starting Windows from the SSD. Now even selecting the USB installer sends me back to the boot menu, and I have already recreated the Windows installation media in case the original USB setup was corrupted. What should I check to get the installer or SSD to boot properly?
3 Answers
Recreate the USB with a standard Windows ISO and a trusted imaging tool, then verify that the firmware is set to boot the USB in UEFI mode. If it still immediately returns to the boot menu, try another USB port or flash drive, and check that the SSD is detected correctly in the firmware settings.
First, remove the USB drive after Windows finishes copying files, then check the motherboard’s boot order. The SSD should be selected as the first boot device, preferably using its Windows Boot Manager entry rather than the generic drive name.
The installation may not have completed correctly, or the bootloader could be missing. Start from the installer again and use the repair tools, or redo the installation if you are already planning a fresh setup. If more than one drive is installed, temporarily disconnect the others or make absolutely sure Windows is being installed to the intended SSD.
The USB installer is also looping back to the boot menu now, even after I recreated it, so I cannot reliably get back into the setup or repair screen.