Trouble booting from m.2 SSD

Currently I have an inspiron 3671 with windows 11 installed on both a new m.2 SSD and the original Sata HDD. I don’t remember exactly how this started but for some reason I’m not able to get past the initial boot with only the m.2 drive. I need the HDD installed in order to boot to a menu where I can choose which drive (the m.2 SSD or Sata HDD) to load windows. So I’m able to use the SSD to run windows, but again, can’t boot with the SSD without the HDD help. 

I’m not sure if I need to reinstall windows? Or if there’s a problem with bios settings? I find it odd that there isn’t a setting in my bios to boot from the m.2 slot. I only see windows boot manager and UEFI: *branded* Flash drive. 

Secure boot is enabled and legacy option ROMs are disabled.