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Boot Device Not Found

Asus Laptop

Severity: Critical

Source: OnlyErrorCodes.com — Every error code. One place.

Asus Laptop Boot Device Not Found — How to Fix

What it means

Boot Device Not Found means the BIOS cannot find a drive with a valid OS.
This is most often caused by a wrong boot mode, a corrupted boot record, or a failed/disconnected drive.

Affected Models

  • Asus ROG
  • Asus TUF Gaming
  • Asus VivoBook
  • Asus ZenBook
  • Asus ExpertBook

Common Causes

  • Hard drive failure or disconnection
  • BIOS Boot Mode mismatch (UEFI vs Legacy)
  • Corrupted Master Boot Record or EFI partition
  • Wrong boot order — USB or network listed first
  • Loose M.2 SSD connection

How to Fix It

  1. Check if the drive is detected in BIOS.

    Tap F2 at boot to enter Asus BIOS.
    Look in the storage section.
    If the drive is missing, the drive itself has failed or its connection is loose.

  2. Verify Boot Mode and boot order.

    Boot Mode should be UEFI for modern Windows.
    Windows Boot Manager should be first in the boot order.
    Reset BIOS defaults (F9) if you are unsure.

  3. Repair the Windows boot record.

    Boot from a Windows 10/11 installation USB.
    Select Repair > Troubleshoot > Command Prompt, then run: bootrec /fixmbr, bootrec /fixboot, bootrec /rebuildbcd

  4. Reseat the M.2 SSD.

    Power off and remove the bottom panel.
    Unscrew the M.2 SSD, remove and reseat firmly, then re-screw.
    M.2 drives can vibrate loose over time.

  5. Replace the drive if not detected.

    If the SSD is missing in BIOS even after reseating, it has failed.
    Replace with a compatible NVMe or SATA M.2 drive and reinstall Windows fresh.

When to Call a Professional

If the drive is detected in BIOS but Windows still will not boot after rebuilding the boot record, a technician can perform a fresh installation while preserving data.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my Asus laptop suddenly fail to boot after a Windows update?

Some Windows updates change boot configuration or update Secure Boot keys. Check that BIOS Boot Mode is UEFI and that Secure Boot settings match Windows. Resetting BIOS defaults often resolves this.

How do I tell whether the SSD itself or just the boot record is the problem?

Check BIOS — if the SSD is listed there, the drive is alive and the issue is the boot record (use bootrec commands). If the SSD is missing in BIOS, the drive is the issue.