Sometimes when the CMOS battery dies the BIOS will reset the drive configuration from AHCI to RAID. If that’s the case, you would not be able to see your hard drive until you swap the configuration back to AHCI. This is a common issue with Dell workstations. I actually just fixed two Dell Latitude laptops with this issue by replacing their CMOS batteries so can confirm it is very much still a problem (and has been since first experiencing the issue in 2012). When removing the CMOS battery the BIOS would reset back to RAID and the hard drive will be inaccessible. Not sure if that’s the issue you’re experiencing but definitely worth a shot. Edit: to clarify, make sure your BIOS drive configuration is set to AHCI not RAID. Answer from eggplant_zoo on reddit.com
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Dell
dell.com › support › kbdoc › en-us › 000128655 › no-boot-device-found-when-you-change-the-boot-sequence-to-legacy-mode-or-install-os-under-legacy-mode
Resolve No Bootable Device Found Error in Legacy Mode on Dell Computers | Dell US
Resolve "No bootable devices were found" error on laptops and desktops. Learn how to fix no boot device available, detected, or found by switching to UEFI mode and reinstalling Windows 10 or Linux.
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DiskPart
diskpart.com › aomei software › free partition software › solved: no boot device available dell [4 effective ways]
Solved: No Boot Device Available Dell [4 Effective Ways]
September 14, 2023 - When meeting no boot device found Dell Laptop issue, first of all, you can run Startup Repair. Step 1. Insert Windows installation disc to the computer in question and restart. Here we take the Windows 7 installation DVD as an example.
Discussions

No Boot Device Found
My Windows 10 laptop all of a sudden won't boot. (It's an SSD.) The message is that "No Boot Device Found". If I go into the UEFI settings, under Boot sequence, it is blank. ... More on dell.com
🌐 dell.com
4
0
July 23, 2025
Laptop saying no bootable devices found?
Sometimes when the CMOS battery dies the BIOS will reset the drive configuration from AHCI to RAID. If that’s the case, you would not be able to see your hard drive until you swap the configuration back to AHCI. This is a common issue with Dell workstations. I actually just fixed two Dell Latitude laptops with this issue by replacing their CMOS batteries so can confirm it is very much still a problem (and has been since first experiencing the issue in 2012). When removing the CMOS battery the BIOS would reset back to RAID and the hard drive will be inaccessible. Not sure if that’s the issue you’re experiencing but definitely worth a shot. Edit: to clarify, make sure your BIOS drive configuration is set to AHCI not RAID. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/Dell
82
30
January 24, 2023
Hard Drive replacement leads to 'No Bootable devices were found!'
I found that I had some spare 320 GB hard drives from old desktop machines from computers that ran on Windows 7, as opposed to my laptop's windows 8. When I replaced the drive manually, I am met with a hardware scan and finding no issues, but the message "No bootable devices were found! More on dell.com
🌐 dell.com
4
0
November 29, 2019
No Boot Device Found
It’s a dell, so I’d start with pressing f12 during boot and running the diagnostic test and make sure the hard drive or solid state drive pass all tests. Then you can try to use dells built in system recovery from the same f12 menu to either repair or reinstall windows, it also has a built in data backup feature. Dells are actually pretty awesome because of this. More on reddit.com
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25
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April 17, 2024
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Dell
dell.com › support › contents › en-us › article › product-support › self-support-knowledgebase › fix-common-issues › no-boot
Computer Cannot Boot into Windows | Dell US
Boot Device Not Found: Similar to No Boot Device Found, this error indicates that the computer cannot locate a bootable device. Operating System Not Found: The computer cannot find the operating system on the hard drive. Boot Configuration Data (BCD) Missing or Corrupted: The Boot Configuration Data file is missing or corrupted, preventing Windows from starting.
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AOMEI Partition Assistant
diskpart.com › aomei software › partition windows 7 › solved: no boot device available in windows 7/8/10(case study)
Solved: No Boot Device Available in Windows 7/8/10(Case Study)
May 12, 2023 - ... Fix 1. Check boot order and reset BIOS settings to default · Fix 2. Perform a hard reset · Fix 3. Run Startup Repair with Windows installation disc · Fix 4. Run Bootrec commands with Windows installation disc · Fix 5. Fix damaged MBR ...
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Dell
dell.com › dell community › software › supportassist for pcs › supportassist for pcs
No Boot Device Found | DELL Technologies
July 23, 2025 - The SSD didn't show up in Windows File Explorer, and when I launched Disk Management, Disk Management said "Connecting to Virtual Disk Service forever. I had to CTRL-Alt-Del out. As soon as I disconnected the external adapter, Disk Management found all other drives. But because I was able to log on to the SSD using the Media Creation Tool USB boot stick, and read the C: drive, I still thought that the SSD was not dead, but the UEFI was corrupted, and hoped that if I could fix it, I could boot the OS successfully.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/dell › laptop saying no bootable devices found?
r/Dell on Reddit: Laptop saying no bootable devices found?
January 24, 2023 - Then the computer is just working. ... Glad to help, was driving me insane! ... This usually indicates that your boot drive is dead and needs replacing. This has been the case with every Dell PC I've used.
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Dell
dell.com › support › contents › en-us › videos › videoplayer › how-to-do-no-boot-troubleshooting › 6308322388112
How to do No Boot troubleshooting | Dell US
Click finish to complete the restore process. If the system couldn't boot into safe mode, we need to verify if the hard drive is detected. To do so, turn on your computer. Repeatedly tap the F2 key at the Dell logo screen to enter BIOS. Expand the general settings and click on system information.
Find elsewhere
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Wondershare Recoverit
recoverit.wondershare.com › computer-problems › no-boot-device-available.html
How to Fix No Boot Device Available on Dell[2026]
Fix the Dell "no boot device available" error by verifying the BIOS boot sequence, performing a hard reset, or executing system repair tools via a Windows 10 bootable drive. ● Resolve incorrect boot priorities by pressing F12, Esc, or F8 during ...
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Dell
dell.com › support › contents › en-in › article › product-support › self-support-knowledgebase › fix-common-issues › no-boot
Computer Cannot Boot into Windows | Dell India
Boot Device Not Found: Similar to No Boot Device Found, this error indicates that the computer cannot locate a bootable device. Operating System Not Found: The computer cannot find the operating system on the hard drive. Boot Configuration Data (BCD) Missing or Corrupted: The Boot Configuration Data file is missing or corrupted, preventing Windows from starting.
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Laptops Service
laptopsservice.center › home › dell › dell no bootable devices found: causes, fixes, and expert tips
Dell No Bootable Devices Found: Causes, Fixes, And Expert Tips
January 2, 2025 - Follow the prompts to reinstall Windows. A dead CMOS battery can reset BIOS configurations: Replace the CMOS battery with a new one. Reconfigure BIOS settings to UEFI and AHCI as needed. Dell’s SupportAssist often detects boot errors and suggests fixes. If you encounter the SupportAssist no bootable device found message:
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Secure Data Recovery
securedatarecovery.com › home › blog › 5 steps to fixing 'no boot device found' error
5 Steps to Fixing 'no boot device found' Error
February 13, 2026 - Enter the BIOS menu - check how for your device. Make sure that Switch your regular Windows boot drive to the first option. The boot sequence list may show disk drives by their maker code names or by what is on them.
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Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › inspiron
Hard Drive replacement leads to "No Bootable devices were found!" | DELL Technologies
November 29, 2019 - Possible causes could be a corrupt OS image or a boot device is not enabled in BIOS setup." Is this because the hard drive that is windows 7 is not recognized by a windows 8 machine? Or do I need to go to BIOS setup and get it to recognize it?
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/geeksquad › no boot device found
r/GeekSquad on Reddit: No Boot Device Found
April 17, 2024 -

My Dell XPS won't start up and gives me the message above, along with "Press any key to reboot the machine." After pressing multiple different keys, I continue to get the same message.

I had unknowingly allowed the battery to run out. Was probably that way for days before I noticed.

The other thing is that when I first tried to start it up, I got a message saying my computer had shut down because it had gotten too warm and to press F1 to continue, which I did. It then went directly into the setup menu. I didn't know what to do, so I exited that. I then got a message in the upper left hand corner of my screen in very tiny letters to press F1 to reboot, and I'm not able to get back to the setup menu. That's when I started getting the messages above.

What should I do?

[some edits for grammar & clarity]

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iCare Recovery
icare-recovery.com › howto › how-to-fix-computer-no-boot-device-available-error-problem.html
[2025]How to Fix Computer No Boot Device Available Error
If your computer pops out message ”No Boot Device is Available” error, there are some problems on your windows system, but no need to worry about that, this article will show you how to fix”no bootable device is available” error for totally free if you are seeing this no bootable device error on Dell HP ACER ASUS TOSHIBA LENOVO in Windows 10 8.1 or Windows 7 computer.
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Tenorshare
4ddig.tenorshare.com › windows fix › solved: how to fix no bootable devices found?
[8 Ways] How to Fix No Bootable Devices Found? - 2026 Latest
March 26, 2026 - In the report, you'll be able to see the exact cause of the problem. ... If you can boot into windows you can run the online SupportAssist diagnostic test to aid in the dell supportassist no bootable devices found error.
Top answer
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Christian, if the solutions above did not work and the hard drive is still detected in BIOS, it is recommended to re-install Windows on your disk.

If you're fine with losing any remaining files, you can proceed with a clean install of Windows 10 from a Bootable installation media drive.

  1. To create a Bootable installation media, you will need a different computer (Working one) to do this.

a. Plug in an empty USB drive (min 8GB) to a working computer.

b. Download the Windows Media creation tool from the link below.

https://www.microsoft.com/software-download/win...

c. Run the Media creation tool and Uncheck the Use the recommended options for this PC box to select the appropriate language and edition.

d. Select the bootable USB flash drive with at least 8GB of space that you have prepared to use, then select Next. Reminder: any content on the USB flash drive will be deleted.

e. The USB device will be formatted, and the Windows installation media will be placed on the USB flash drive.

f. The USB flash drive will now serve as bootable Windows 10 Installation Media. Select Finish.

Once ready, You may now install Windows 10 on your problematic device from the installation media you created on the USB flash drive.

g. Attach the USB flash drive to the PC on which you want to install Windows 11.

h. Boot the USB drive (usually F2 or Del or esc). (You can refer to the Manufacturer's website to see how to boot the USB on your PC)

I. On the Windows Setup page, select your language, time and keyboard preferences and then select Next.

J. Select Install now.

"For detailed steps, please see the article posted by Andre De Costa."

click the link below.

https://answers.microsoft.com/thread/aef0ae63-2...

I hope this information helps. If you have any questions, please let me know and I will be happy to help you further.

Best regards,

Gunasekar N

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I’m not able to change it it’s grayed out

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Quora
quora.com › How-do-I-fix-a-boot-device-not-found-on-Dell
How to fix a boot device not found on Dell - Quora
Answer: Boot device is important as it is the device from where the system boots or starts. The No Bootable Device found error essentially means that Windows operating system cannot find a storage device, such as hard drive, solid-state drive, DVD, CD, or USB flash, to boot the system on. The Pri...
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Quora
quora.com › How-can-I-fix-my-Dell-laptop-showing-no-boot-device-found
How to fix my Dell laptop showing “no boot device found” - Quora
Answer (1 of 5): A bootable device can be one or more of the following things: * your system disk, in Windows-speak, your C-drive * a CD or DVD * a USB-stick * an image that you connect to via the network (the latter is very rare for home computers, so we will ignore it in this answer) In yo...
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › laptop › 93230-dell-laptop-no-boot-device-found-can-t.html
Fixing 'No Boot Device Found' Error on Dell Laptops - Expert Solutions
When a Dell laptop reports no hard drive detected, first check the SATA or NVMe connection inside the chassis. Reseat or replace the drive cable if loose or damaged. Run Dell diagnostics to confirm drive failure.
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EaseUS
easeus.com › partition master › how to fix dell no bootable devices found [2026 full guide]
How to Fix Dell No Bootable Devices Found Windows 10/11
2 weeks ago - By following the steps outlined below, you can embark on the path to restoring your Dell computer's boot functionality: Step 1: Insert your Windows installation disc or USB drive and restart your computer.