BIOS Detects Boot Drive but Not Booting into Windows? Fix It Now!

BIOS Detects Boot Drive but Not Booting into Windows

Why Does This Happen?

Before diving into how to fix the "BIOS detects hard drive but does not boot" issue, it’s important to first understand why this problem occurs. Several factors can cause this issue, including:

► Missing Boot Files: The Boot Configuration Data (BCD) is critical for starting Windows. If these files are missing or corrupted, Windows may fail to boot or become stuck in a repair loop.

► Incorrect BIOS/UEFI Configuration: An improperly set boot order or a mismatch between the BIOS/UEFI mode and the disk's partition style can prevent the system from booting correctly.

► Corrupt System Files: Essential system files can become damaged due to malware, disk errors, improper shutdowns, or other issues, leading to crashes or boot failures during startup.

► Driver Errors: Outdated, incompatible, or corrupted drivers can interfere with the boot process, preventing the operating system from loading properly.

How to Fix “BIOS Detects Boot Drive but Stuck on Boot Screen”?

When the BIOS detects the boot drive but the system fails to boot into Windows, it typically indicates an issue with the boot configuration or drive itself. This section provides five effective methods to resolve common boot issues. If your BIOS detects boot drive but is stuck on the boot screen, choose the solution that suits your situation to restore your PC to normal functionality.

Fix 1. Check the Boot Order in BIOS

When your BIOS detects boot drive but not booting into Windows, one common reason could be the boot order settings. If you set the incorrect drive as the primary boot device, the system might try to boot from a different drive, leading to the issue. Follow these steps to adjust the boot order:

Step 1. Restart your PC and access the BIOS by pressing F2. The key you need to press depends on your system manufacturer.

Step 2. Adjust the boot order as needed.

Step 3. Save and exit the BIOS settings, then restart the PC to check if it can boot properly.

Fix 2. Rebuild BCD files

In most cases, boot issues are caused by missing or damaged boot files. Windows provides a command-line utility called Bootrec.exe to address issues related to the boot process. Follow these steps to rebuild the BCD files:

Step 1. Press and hold the power button for several seconds to force shutting down your computer. Repeat the process three times to enter the Windows Recovery Environment screen.

Step 2. Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

Step 3. Select Common Prompt and type the commands and press the Enter key.

• bootrec /fixmbr
• bootrec /fixboot
• bootrec /scanos
• bootrec /rebuildbcd

Step 4. Quit CMD and restart your computer to verify if the repair was successful.

Fix 3. Run CHKDSK in Command Prompt

Additionally, you are also allowed to run CHKDSK in Command Prompt to perform boot repair when your BIOS is stuck on the boot screen. With this method, you can directly access the file system to diagnose and resolve disk-related issues, such as disk errors and bad sectors.

Here’s how to repair boot issues by running CHKDSK:

Step 1. Enter the Windows Repair Environment.

Step 2. Navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

Step 3. Select the Command Prompt option.

Step 4. Type chkdsk C: /f in the window and press Enter to check errors on disk.

Fix 4. Enable Startup Repair

Startup Repair is a useful option to detect and fix common boot problems, such as corrupted system files, disk errors, or hardware issues. When your BIOS detects a hard drive but does not boot properly, consider using Start Repair to repair it:

Step 1. Enter the WinRE using the methods in Fix 1. 

Step 2: Click Troubleshoot > Advanced options.

Step 3: Select the Startup Repair tool to automatically detect and repair boot issues.

Fix 5. Perform System Restore

If the previous methods don’t solve the problem, try restoring your system to an earlier state. Windows provides a feature called System Restore that allows you to undo recent changes. But you need to create a restore point before the boot failure happens. Here’s how to revert your system to an earlier state:

Step 1. Select the System Restore tool in the Advanced options.

Step 2. Select a recently created restore point and proceed by clicking Next.

Step 3. Confirm the restore point in the next window and click Finish to restore your computer to that state.

Bonus Tips: Recover Data Lost during the Repair Process

Repairing boot issues poses a risk of data loss. If you unfortunately lost important data, AOMEI FastRecovery can help you easily and effectively get it back. 

It is a reliable and user-friendly data recovery tool designed to help you quickly restore lost or deleted files from various storage devices. With its intuitive interface and advanced scanning technology, this tool makes recovering files simple, even for beginners. Follow these steps to recover lost data using AOMEI FastRecovery:

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Windows PCs & Servers

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Step 1. Download and install AOMEI FastRecovery, and then choose the exact partition or disk where your files are located.

Step 2. Scan your disk to find the deleted files. It offers two modes, Quick Scan and Deep Scan:

• Quick Scan: Quickly searches for recently deleted files.
• Deep Scan: Thoroughly scans your storage device to find lost data from more complex loss situations.

Step 3. Once the scanning process is complete, all missing files will be displayed. Kindly choose the desired files and then click Recover.

Step 4. Specify a path for the files and wait for the process to complete.

Using Tips:

Always preview the photos before recovering them to ensure you are selecting the correct ones.

Choose a new location to save recoverable photos to avoid data overwriting.

You can recover desired files even while the scan is still in progress, allowing for quicker recovery.

Summary

Many users have struggled with the issue of "BIOS detects boot drive but not booting into Windows" for a long time. This post presents five effective solutions to fix boot problems and restore your PC to normal functionality.

However, repairing boot issues carries the risk of losing important data. If you lose essential data, consider using AOMEI FastRecovery to get it back, ensuring your data remains intact throughout the repair process.