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How Can I Fix "Default Boot Device Missing or Boot Failed" Error

Wondershare Recoverit Authors

Jan 24, 2024 • Filed to: Recover Files • Proven solutions

You might have run into a situation when your computer suddenly stops recognizing a hard disk drive. In this case, you often see Default Boot Device Missing error. At one moment you feel that there is an issue with the hard disk drive. But the problem persists even after replacing the hard drive. 

On the other hand, you might think that there is a problem with the BIOS chip. But It is something different. Now, what is the real issue and how to fix the issue is explained in this guide.

Part 1: What does a “Default Boot Device Missing” error mean?

Default Boot Device Missing error is a startup error that you might see on your laptop or computer especially if you are using the Lenovo brand. The thing is, when you turn ON your PC you will see “Default Boot Device Missing” instead of the Windows loading screen. It is a boot error. This means your system is unable to boot or will not load Windows boot files.

Part 2: What Are the Reasons for Boot Failed or Missing Error?

Well there are many reasons, the most common are

Part 3: How to Fix Default Boot Device Missing or Boot Failed

When it comes to fixing errors, there are many solutions. Let us go through various tested and trusted solutions to fix the issue.

Solution 1: Try to recover data first

The first thing to go for is to preserve your data. After all, this is the one that you are in dire need of. For recovering your data Wondershare Recoverit data recovery software is the one you must go with.

It is one of the trusted data recovery software that allows you to recover your deleted files, photos, videos, audios, emails, and more. It lets you easily restore your data from PC, laptop, Mac, hard disk drive, USB, SD card, and other storage media. It is capable of supporting 1000+ file formats.

All you need to do is to follow some simple steps.

Step 1: Select Data Recovery Mode

Install Wondershare Data recovery on some other system for creating a bootable drive. Now launch Recoverit and select “System Crash data recovery”. Once selected, click on “Start”

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Step 2: Select Bootable Drive

Select a bootable drive from CD, DVD, or USB and click on “Create”.

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Now go with the “Format” option.

This will begin the process of creating a bootable drive

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Avoid ejecting the drive during the process. You will be notified once the process is completed.

Step 3: Change the Boot Sequence of Computer

You are required to change the boot sequence to a USB drive before beginning with the process of recovering data. You can do this by going into BIOS by clicking F2 or another specific key.

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Step 4: Recover Data

Restart your computer or laptop and launch Recoverit with the created bootable drive. Now all you have to do is to proceed with the Data Recovery.

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Solution 2: Check Boot Order Sequence

Sometimes the fix is simple but we make it complicated. You can fix the issue by changing the boot order sequence. For this follow some simple steps.

Step 1: Restart your PC and as the manufacturing logo starts to appear press F2 or another specified key immediately to enter the BIOS setup.

Step 2: Once entered successfully go to the Boot tab and arrange the boot order. You are required to make sure that the hard drive is at the top. If not, make it on top.

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You can also go for changing boot mode from UEFI to Legacy. Once done save the changes and restart your system. If the error is gone, it is good. If not follow solution 3.

Read More: How To Convert Legacy BIOS to UEFI Without Data Loss

Solution 3: Set the Primary Partition as Active

If the primary partition is not active then also you may see this kind of error. In this case, you simply need to activate the primary partition.

Step 1: Boot your PC from the Windows Installation media and select the language, time, and keyboard input.

Step 2: Click on “Repair your Computer” followed by “Troubleshoot” and then “Command Prompt”.

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Step 3: Type the following commands

diskpart > list disk > select disk 0 (0 = disk number where OS is installed) > list partition > select partition 1 (1 = primary partition where OS is installed) > active.

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Finally, exit the command window. Now all you have to do is to remove Windows installation media and reboot your PC. If still the issue is not fixed, go for solution 4.

Solution 4: Run Startup Repair

Windows Startup repair is known for fixing common errors. It can also fix Default Boot Device Missing or Boot Failed error. Just follow some steps to fix the error.

Step 1: Start by booting your PC from the Windows installation media and select the language, time, and keyboard input. Once done, click on the “Repair your computer”. Then you have to click on “Troubleshoot” followed by “Startup Repair”. 

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Step 2: On selecting “Startup Repair” the process of scanning and fixing errors will start. When the process is finished, you have to reboot your PC.

If still the error exists, you have to go with solution 5. 

Solution 5: Replace a Hard Drive

Yes, you heard it right. If none of the solutions does a job for you then it is the issue with the hard drive. It can have SMART errors or bad sectors. In this case, you have to replace the hard drive with a new one.

Conclusion

Default Boot Device Missing or Boot Failed Error is a common error especially with Acer or Lenovo laptops or computers. It is even an issue with other brands. So if you are facing any such issue, the solutions provided to you in this dossier are capable enough to do a job for you. All solutions are trusted and tested so you need to drop your worries. Moreover, you need not fear data loss as you can easily recover your data using Wondershare Recoverit.

People Also Ask

How do I fix boot menu problems?

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What does no bootable device mean on my laptop?

It means the hard drive is not detected or found.

What is UEFI boot mode?

UEFI boot mode can be said as an advanced version of BIOS boot mode. It is low-level software that starts when your PC is booted before booting OS. It supports larger hard drives, faster boot times, and more security features in comparison to BIOS.

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Recoverit author

Theo Lucia

chief Editor

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