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How to Fix Reboot and Select Boot Device Error in Windows

Wondershare Recoverit Authors

Aug 04, 2023 • Filed to: Windows Computer Solutions • Proven solutions

In this section, we want to teach you some simple steps on how to fix Reboot and select boot device error in Windows. Just like always, our steps are very easy to follow and work well for fixing this kind of error. Without further ado, let's get on with.

Overview of the Reboot and Select Boot Device Error

This error occurs due to your Computer’s BIOS not detecting the bootable drive where your operating system is located.

A reboot and select boot device error can be worrying due to the possibility of permanently damaging your device if it is not rectified on time. If your device is not working because of a reboot and select error, the first thing to cross your mind is have the computer repaired by a professional. Having a professional repair the computer is good but may prove to be costly. Before you consider that route, here are some solutions you can apply on your own to fix this error. that's a smart idea but before you do that, there are fixes you can try on your own to fix the error.


What causes this error?

How to Reboot and select boot device on Windows

Fix 1 – Check the Boot sequence in BIOS

Check to see if your PC's boot order lists the hard drive correctly as the first option under the boot tab in the BIOS utility interface. Here how to check it out.

Depending on you computer model, The keys assigned to to open BIOS are either Esc Del F2 F8 F10 F12. Make sure to confirm which keys are assigned to launch BIOS for your computer’s model.

To launch BIOS, press either of the keys above during the booting-up process.
Navigate to the Boot tab with the arrow keys. If the Hard disk drive you want to boot windows from is not the listed as the first device, move it to the top using the + key on your keyboard to change the boot order/sequence.
Save Setting Restart PC

BIOS setup utility window


Fix 2- Check for hard drive damage

A Reboot and Select Boot Device error can also be caused by a damaged hard drive. To find out whether your hard disk drive is faulty, consider using a data recovery software that can be downloaded online. The software will scan and publish a report if anything is wrong with the hard drive. A repair tool like Wondershare Recoverit will suffice. (You can download and use any tool of your choice).
The software will publish a report if any problem is discovered with your RAM or hard disk and recover lost files and folders.


Fix 3- Check the hard drive’s connection

A booting error can be due to the hard disk drive not being connected properly to you computer. To check if this is the issue, launch the BIOS Setup Utility.

Shut down the PC. Press the power button and the BIOs keys simultaneously (Esc, Del, F2, F8, F10, F12). As stated before, the BIOS keys depend of you computer’s model.
When the BIOS utility window comes up, select Standard CMOS features.

BIOS setup utility window

Check whether your computer’s hard disk drive is listed on this window. If your hard drive is not listed, that shows it’s not connected properly leading to the select boot device error.

Check you cable if it’s faulty and replace it. Power can also cause connection issues so check the power being supplied to your hard drive is sufficient.

Standard CMOs features window


Fix 4- Disable the Legacy Boot in computers with UEFI

UEFI is a software that launches when you boot the computer before the Operating system starts. UEFI work just like BIOS but the difference is it supports bigger drives, has more security features and boots faster. Computers that have the UEFI instead of BIOS may have the legacy boot still activated which causes the select boot device error. To correct this:

Restart your PC then Open UEFI with any assigned key (F2, F8, F12, Del). It depends on the model of your device. Select UEFI/Legacy Boot Priority with the arrow keys then disable the Legacy First option using any assigned key.Save and Exit menu then Restart PC

Startup tab for disabling  Legacy boot


Fix 5- Utilize the Diskpart command line

An inactive primary partition will cause a Reboot and Select Boot Device error.

Activating the partition will resolve the issue. To do so ,you will need to use the Diskpart Command prompt. Start with launching RUN by pressing WIN+R then type diskpart. When the Diskpart prompt comes up, type list disk and press enter to reveal a list of disks.

Next, select the disk you want to activate a partition in by typing ‘select disk 0 or 1 as shown in the image below. The number indicates the disks available in your computer.

Type list partition to reveal the number of partitions in the hard disk, then select the partition you want to activate by typing ‘select partition 1,2, or 3’. Type active to activate the specific partition you selected.

command prompt for activating partitions


Before you take your PC to a technician to repair the Reboot and Select Boot Device error, try any of these quick fixes to resolve the issue. However, if the issue persists, get in touch with data recovery professionals such as Wondershare Recoverit to fix the problem without the risk of losing your files and folders.

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David Darlington

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