Windows BSOD Error 0x00000053 — NO_BOOT_DEVICE Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

The 0x00000053 blue screen means Windows could not find the drive it needs to boot from. This is called NO_BOOT_DEVICE. Windows started loading but then could not access the hard drive or SSD where the operating system is installed.

Affected Models

Windows 10
Windows 11
Windows 8.1
Windows Server

Common Causes

The hard drive or SSD has come loose from its connector inside the computer
The hard drive or SSD is beginning to fail and has developed bad sectors
The storage controller driver is missing or became corrupted during a Windows update
The boot partition on the drive has been damaged or accidentally deleted
A recently connected USB drive or external device is confusing the boot order

How to Fix It

Disconnect all USB drives and external storage devices. Restart the computer. Sometimes a connected USB drive confuses the system into trying to boot from the wrong device.

This is the quickest first check. Many NO_BOOT_DEVICE errors are caused by an accidentally inserted USB drive.
Check that the hard drive is detected in BIOS. Restart and press Delete or F2 to enter BIOS. Look for your storage drive listed under boot devices or storage information. If it is missing, the drive connection may be loose.

A drive not showing in BIOS at all usually means a physical connection problem or hardware failure.
Boot from a Windows installation USB or DVD and run Startup Repair. Choose 'Repair your computer' > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair. Let Windows attempt automatic repairs.

Startup Repair can fix corrupted boot files and damaged boot configuration data (BCD) without erasing your files.
Repair the Boot Configuration Data manually. Boot from the Windows installation media, open Command Prompt, and run: bootrec /fixmbr and then bootrec /fixboot and then bootrec /rebuildbcd.

These commands rebuild the boot files that tell Windows where to find and load the operating system.
Check the BIOS boot order. In BIOS, make sure your main hard drive or SSD is listed first in the boot order. If another device is listed above it, Windows will fail to load.

Boot order settings are usually found in the BIOS under 'Boot' or 'Boot Order' and can be changed with the arrow keys.

When to Call a Professional

If your hard drive is physically failing, you should take the computer to a professional immediately. A failing drive can stop working entirely at any moment, making data recovery much harder. Data recovery services exist but are expensive — preventive action is far better.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my data lost if I see this error?

Not necessarily. This error means Windows cannot boot, but your files may still be intact on the drive. Booting from a live USB of Windows or a Linux distribution can let you access and copy files. Professional data recovery is also an option if the drive has physically failed.

How do I create a Windows repair USB drive?

On another working Windows computer, visit microsoft.com and download the Media Creation Tool. Run it and choose 'Create installation media for another PC.' Select a USB drive of at least 8 GB. The tool will download and prepare everything automatically.

Can a Windows update cause this error?

Yes, in rare cases. A Windows update that installs an incompatible storage driver can prevent the system from finding the boot drive on the next restart. Startup Repair from a Windows USB usually fixes this specific scenario without data loss.