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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Dell
dell.com › dell community › software › supportassist for pcs › supportassist for pcs
No Boot Device Found | DELL Technologies
July 23, 2025 - I used a USB boot stick to get to Troubleshooting>Command Prompt. Once there, I used diskpart>list disk>list vol to find the FAT32 partition which held the boot manager. It had no volume letter, so I assigned it letter=V.
Discussions

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
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January 24, 2023
Bios Can't Locate Replacement Drive / No bootable devices found
My hard drive died/failed in my G3 3779. I replaced it with an SSD. I used an USB with windows to install windows, it finds the SSD drive and begins the install process, when it goes to... More on dell.com
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4
0
December 3, 2024
Inspiron 7786, no bootable devices found
Hi, recently my Inspiron 7786 blue screened and upon reboot came up showing with "no bootable devices found" on the Dell support screen. I've tried several solutions and the one here https://w... More on dell.com
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8
0
May 29, 2019
Dell Inspiron No Bootable Devices Found
I ran the Bios Data Wipe Option in the Bios settings which wiped and erased my hard drive but now it says that no bootable device is found In bios settings there is no bootable file to choose Devic... More on dell.com
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August 25, 2022
People also ask

What does it mean when a laptop says, 'No bootable devices found'?

When your laptop displays the error message 'No bootable devices found,' the computer cannot locate any storage device containing the necessary files to start the operating system. This can happen due to various reasons, such as incorrect boot device selection, corrupted boot sectors, or faulty hardware connections.

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easeus.com
easeus.com › partition master › how to fix dell no bootable devices found [2026 full guide]
How to Fix Dell No Bootable Devices Found [2026 Full Guide]
How to boot into Dell in BIOS?

To boot into the BIOS setup on a Dell computer, follow these steps:

Step 1:Restart your Dell computer. Look for the key prompt displayed on the screen during startup (commonly F2, F12, or Del) and press it repeatedly.

Step 2:This will enter the BIOS or UEFI setup menu, where you can configure various settings related to your computer's hardware and boot options. Navigate through the BIOS setup using the arrow keys, make the necessary changes, and save your settings before exiting.

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easeus.com
easeus.com › partition master › how to fix dell no bootable devices found [2026 full guide]
How to Fix Dell No Bootable Devices Found [2026 Full Guide]
How to fix 'No boot devices found' on Windows?

To fix the 'No boot devices found' error on Windows, you can try the following steps:

Step 1:Ensure the correct boot device is selected in the BIOS or UEFI settings. Check the connections between the storage device (hard drive or SSD) and the motherboard.

Step 2:Run a startup or automatic repair using a Windows installation disc or USB drive. Rebuild the Master Boot Record (MBR) using specialized tools or commands. Moreover, perform a clean installation of Windows if all else fails.

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easeus.com
easeus.com › partition master › how to fix dell no bootable devices found [2026 full guide]
How to Fix Dell No Bootable Devices Found [2026 Full Guide]
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › laptop › ul7yb-dell-inspiron-15-no-boot-device.html
No Boot Device Found on Dell Inspiron 15? Expert Help Guide
The 'No boot device found' error on Inspiron 15 3511 often occurs after driver updates affecting the BIOS or storage controller. First, check BIOS settings to ensure the SSD/HDD is detected and set as the primary boot device.
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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 - I've had a dell where it was a bit loose, and if you knock the laptop just right it would disconnect. I rigged up something to hold it in place better and it's worked for months without doing it now. It's probably a dead drive really, but worth a shot. ... My PC keep notifying me no bootable device. How can I fix this problem? ... If the computer sits for awhile without power, I’ve found I needed to perform a hard reset to get the motherboard to recognize the hard drive: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-ca/000132300/how-to-troubleshoot-hard-drive-or-solid-state-drive-issues-on-a-dell-computer
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › laptop › ts701-dell-inspiron-no-bootable-devices.html
No Bootable Devices Found on Dell Inspiron 13? Fix Guide
I'm a Tech Specialist for JUSTANSWER, an independent professional services platform that connects users with verified professionals for expert guidance, advice, and solutions. I see your Dell Inspiron 13 is displaying a 'No bootable devices found' error on Windows 10, and you recently experienced issues typing in the password before this began.
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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 [2026 Full Guide]
2 weeks ago - Is your laptop displaying the Dell no bootable devices found error? Learn why this error occurred and how to fix it in the following guide.
Find elsewhere
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Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › inspiron
Bios Can't Locate Replacement Drive / No bootable devices found | DELL Technologies
December 3, 2024 - Is the Intel RST needed, windows finds the device fine for the install, but as noted above the problem is I think to get the BIOS to recognize the USB it now prevents it from booting from an internal hard drive (SSD) as such, windows can't actually finish its install process. ... It is not necessary to use legacy model to boot a flash drive -- but it is necessary that the flash drive be prepared as UEFI bootable.
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Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › inspiron
Inspiron 7786, no bootable devices found | DELL Technologies
May 29, 2019 - ... I did this and when I reboot support assist runs scan to detect hardware problems and completes w/no issues, no bootable devices found, possible causes corrupt OS image or boot device not enabled.
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JustAnswer
justanswer.com › laptop › of0lk-no-bootable-device-inspirion-cannot.html
Fixing 'No Bootable Device' Error on Dell Inspiron - Expert Solutions
March 11, 2024 - Inspiron models often show no bootable device errors and fail to detect the hard drive during startup. This error usually indicates BIOS can't find a bootable drive. First, enter BIOS to check if the hard drive is detected.
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Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › inspiron
NO BOOTABLE DEVICE FOUND | DELL Technologies
January 19, 2020 - My laptop, the Dell Inspiron 7370, was unable to boot up. I tried multiple times to boot it up and run through the different diagnostic tests to no avail. When I try to boot up the laptop on its own, I receive the error message "no bootable device found" along with only one option: to shutdown ...
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Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › inspiron
UEFI - No bootable devices | DELL Technologies
January 6, 2023 - I always get critical error "No bootable devices found". USB sticks work correctly on a different laptop (e.g.
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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 - Read and learn the stepwise to figure out how to solve no boot device found Dell Inspiron 15 problem. ... Method 1. Launch Startup Repair · Method 2. Check and manually select the correct boot device · Method 3. Check disk status and diagnose the problems · Method 4. Rebuild MBR ... “About a month ago my Dell Inspiron 15 began to refuse booting and give the report “no bootable devices available.
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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 - You also could go into your BIOS and turn off RAID and Select AHCI your install to hard drive should show up as normal.
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Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › inspiron
No bootable device found, Inspiron 15, no devices listed under UEFI in boot sequence | DELL Technologies
February 11, 2025 - When the laptop is started, I just get a screen that says 'no bootable devices found' then the option to shutdown. I've gone into one time boot menu (F12), ran diagnostics and it came back with no errors. I have also been in settings menu (F2) and tried changing the settings as in previous solutions but nothing is working.
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Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › inspiron
Dell Inspiron 15-3567 No bootable devices found | DELL Technologies
May 8, 2021 - Although one thing it would do after crashing is run SupportAssist and say something along the lines of no hard drive found, then reboot and work fine. Not sure if that's important, but might have something to do with this. The other day it crashed to no surprise but when started up it said "No bootable devices found" and now won't let me past this.
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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
This is indicated by either a plain black screen, a screen with only a blinking cursor, or a blue screen with a failure message. Common causes include a corrupted operating system, a connection issue between the system and the drive storage device, or a damaged drive storage device.