The error “Reboot and select proper boot device” has been reported by all the users of Windows on every version from Windows XP to Windows 8.1. In Windows 10, this error is not the topic of such a big issue but the users who haven’t get upgraded yet, they receive and get irritated by this error.
Full form of this error is as follows: “Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in select boot device”. The error mostly caused due to any corrupted system file or mucking up of the booth order of your device or any fault hardware is present in your device which is either failed or failing the hard disk.
This error takes place at the time when any affected user boots up their device and they don’t permit them to be booted in their Operating system, no matter the number of times you are trying to complete this task.
Fortunately, there exist a lot of solutions through which you can get rid of this error and it has been reported to fix the issue in a huge number of cases. You must try these methods to get rid of the error and to be counted in the majority who have solved their issue by performing these methods.
We have provided below, a list of some effective solutions to fix the error “Reboot and select proper boot device” with a proper guide. So just carry on to the article.
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Understanding the “Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device” Error
The “Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device” error appears when a computer’s BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) or UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) fails to recognize the bootable device or when the system’s hard drive is not listed in the boot sequence.
Essentially, it indicates that the computer cannot find a device containing the necessary boot information.
Significance of the Error Message
This error prevents the computer from starting up normally, as it cannot access the operating system installed on the hard drive or SSD. Addressing this issue is crucial to regain access to the computer and its data.
Causes of the “Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device” Error
Multiple factors can lead to this error:
1. Incorrect Boot Order
If the BIOS/UEFI is set to boot from the wrong device, such as a USB drive or a secondary hard drive without an operating system, this error can occur.
2. Hard Drive Failure
A failing or failed hard drive, or one with corrupted sectors, can prevent the system from finding the boot information.
3. Loose or Damaged Data Cables
Loose or damaged cables connecting the hard drive to the motherboard can disrupt data transmission.
4. Corrupted Master Boot Record (MBR) or Boot Sector
If the MBR or boot sector is damaged, the system cannot locate the boot information on the hard drive.
5. BIOS/UEFI Firmware Issues
Outdated or corrupted BIOS/UEFI firmware can lead to boot-related problems.
How to Fix Reboot And Select Proper Boot Device Issue?
Before moving to the guide to fix the error, let me tell you the process of booting and how to change the booth order as you will need it in the solution. The steps are given below:
You will have to restart your device and go to the BIOS settings of your computer when it restarted. The key to open the BIOS settings vary from device to device and it can be something like Delete, ESC, any key between F1 to F8, F10 to F12, most commonly it is F2 key.
You can find out the key to open BIOS settings for your computer by Google searching “how to enter bios” with the model number of your device. Go to the boot. Now, let’s move to the solution to fix the error.
Solution 1: Disable or Enable Legacy Boot (for UEFI computers only)
In all the computers having Windows 8 or even higher versions, they have replaced the BIOS with UEFI which is provided with a feature called Legacy Boot.
In certain cases, UEFI boot which is turned Off or On can give rise to the error “Reboot and select proper boot device”.
In such a case, you can just simply disable or enable the feature of Legacy Boot to get rid of this error.
Steps are mentioned below to do so:
Step 1: Firstly, restart your device then go to the UEFI settings menu of your device just after when it restarted. You can manually check out the key to access this menu as it depends on the manufacturer of your motherboard.
Step 2: Now look for the option “Legacy Boot” present in the tab of UEFI settings which you have to disable in case it is enabled.
Step 3: Save the changes and restart your device once again and have a look if you have fixed the issue. If not then move to the next solution.
Solution 2: Check To See If Your Computer’s Boot Order Is Correct
You can try to change the boot order of your computer and then you must perform configuration in order to try to boot with the help of your HDD (Hard Disk Drive) first then from any of their other option available later.
Solution 3: Use Diskpart
Sometimes, you may also report the error “Reboot and select proper boot device” in case the primary hard drive partition of your device is not configured in the form of an active one. In such a situation, you can fix the error just by setting your primary hard drive partition in the form of an active one.
To do so, you will have to put any Recovery media or Windows installed in your computer which is affected then restart it and perform a boot from the media that you put in it. In case, you are not having any of the installation or recovery media then go through the given guide:
For Windows 8/10:
You can take the help of the system repair disk that you have made in your device to perform Startup Repair.
Follow the steps mentioned below to perform Startup Repair onWindows 8, 8.1, or 10:
Step 1: Put a disc of system repair in your device then restart it once.
Step 2: Go to BIOS settings when your device restarted then configure the boot order of your device in order to perform booting with the system repair disc.
Step 3: Save all changes you made then close BIOS settings.
Step 4: When prompted, boot your system repair disc by pressing any key.
Step 5: Click on any layout of keyboard language according to your own preference when asked.
Step 6: Startup Option will be displayed on your screen when you will be done it.
Step 7: Now from the Startup Options screen, you just to select the option “Troubleshoot” then click on “Advanced options”.
Step 8: Now select option “Automatic repair” which may also visible to you as Start-up Repair or Startup Repair.
Step 9: Choose that Operating System on which you found suitable to perform Startup Repair when prompted you to choose.
Step 10: When prompted choose the Administrator account.
Step 11: Type the password of the account that you have selected then select “Continue”.
Step 12: Now the process of Startup Repair will start. Follow the instructions provided on your screen.
Solution 4: Reinstall Windows
In case, all the above mentioned solutions failed to solve the issue then you must try our last solution which is to reinstall the Windows on your device.
It is the tested solution to definitely solve the error “Reboot and select proper boot device”. Your data may get lost by reinstalling windows.
But if all other solutions failed then you must try this one. Your error will surely be fixed by reinstalling the windows.
Step 1: Uninstall Windows.
Step 2: Download your version from the official website.
Step 3: Install it on your device by going through the instructions provided on your screen.
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Conclusion
We have provided you a proper guide to get rid of the error “Reboot and select proper boot device”. All the solutions that are mentioned above are effective in the same way but may vary in different conditions that’s why you can go for the next solution if the previous one is not working in your case.
