Quick wins for a faster PC:
Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →“No bootable device” means your laptop did not find a usable way to start; it does not prove Windows is missing or the SSD has failed. First check whether BIOS or UEFI detects the internal drive. If it does, verify the boot entry and try Windows recovery. If it does not, focus on drive detection and hardware before attempting software repairs.
Before troubleshooting, protect your files
If the drive contains the only copy of important files, is disappearing intermittently, or is making unusual noises, stop repeated restarts and repair attempts. A failing drive may need data-preserving diagnosis; recovery is not guaranteed. If the laptop is under warranty or you are unsure how to service it safely, check the manufacturer’s model-specific support and service instructions before opening the case.
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1. Disconnect external devices and restart once
Turn the laptop off, remove USB storage, memory cards, docks, and other peripherals, then start it again. External boot media or peripherals can interfere with startup. Microsoft and MSI both recommend disconnecting external devices as an isolation step (Microsoft startup troubleshooting; MSI boot troubleshooting).
2. Check whether BIOS or UEFI detects the internal drive
Use the laptop’s manual or manufacturer support page to find the correct way to enter BIOS or UEFI; there is no universal key sequence. Look for a storage or drive-information page, then check whether the internal SSD or hard drive appears. MSI likewise directs users to check drive detection in BIOS (MSI’s guidance).
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If the drive appears
Open the boot configuration or boot-priority page and check that the intended operating-system entry is selected. On many Windows UEFI systems, it is called Windows Boot Manager, but labels differ by manufacturer. Microsoft’s Surface guidance also calls for selecting a valid boot device (Surface startup and boot configuration).
A changed firmware setting can cause startup trouble, but do not switch UEFI and Legacy/CSM modes, change Secure Boot or VMD settings, or load defaults as a universal fix. These settings depend on the laptop and how the operating system was installed; changing them without knowing the original configuration can create another boot problem. MSI notes that a changed VMD option can affect storage detection in a related boot error (MSI troubleshooting).
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If the drive does not appear
This is a hardware-detection problem, not one Windows Startup Repair can fix. Possible causes include a connection or compatibility issue, a storage configuration issue, or a failed drive. Check the laptop’s built-in diagnostics and model-specific service guidance. Intel advises checking drive support, connectors, physical condition, and system requirements (Intel SSD troubleshooting).
Do not assume you need to buy a drive or open the laptop. Confirm the exact laptop model, drive form factor and interface, whether the drive is replaceable, and warranty status first. If the data matters, pause before replacing or formatting the drive and consult a qualified repair or data-recovery provider.
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3. If the drive is detected, try Windows Startup Repair
If firmware sees the drive and there is no sign of physical failure, Windows recovery may help when boot files or startup configuration are damaged. You can start Windows recovery from installation media, then select Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair. Microsoft says Startup Repair checks for common startup problems and attempts to correct them (Windows startup issues troubleshooting).
Installation media is an access route to recovery tools, not a guaranteed fix. Use instructions for your Windows version and laptop. Microsoft’s Surface Go and Surface Go 2 recovery procedure, for example, specifies a USB drive of at least 8 GB formatted as FAT32; that requirement applies to that device-specific procedure, not every laptop or installer (Surface USB recovery instructions).
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Use command-line boot repairs only when the system layout is known
Microsoft documents tools such as BOOTREC for boot-loader troubleshooting, but the right operation depends on whether the system uses BIOS/MBR or UEFI/GPT and on the actual failure. For example, BOOTREC /FIXMBR overwrites master boot code and may not solve a partition-table problem. Do not run commands from a generic guide without confirming they match your installation (Microsoft’s boot troubleshooting guidance).
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Microsoft’s separate article about “An operating system wasn’t found” describes Windows 10 installation-media and partition-style checks. Its steps are specific to that Windows 10 guidance, not a universal procedure for every Windows release or another operating system (Microsoft’s Windows 10 guidance).
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4. Get help if detection or recovery fails
If built-in diagnostics report a drive fault, BIOS or UEFI does not detect the drive, or supported recovery steps do not resolve the problem, contact the laptop maker or a qualified repair provider. Microsoft lists service, self-repair, and in-person support options for Surface, while MSI recommends contacting a local service center if its troubleshooting fails; availability depends on device and region (Microsoft Surface support; MSI support).
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