How to Recover Computer from Boot-related Issues

Is your Dell computer turning on but fails to startup or boot into the operating system? There are many potential causes for this problem, incorrect boot settings in the BIOS, corrupt system files, corrupt boot loader, or a faulty hard drive.

• The computer turns on but shows an error message such as “no bootable device found”, “operating system not found”, or other errors during startup.
• The computer turns on but displays a blank screen with the mouse pointer or a blinking cursor.
• The computer fails to boot into Windows due to a STOP error, also called a Windows blue screen error.

Watch this video to learn if your Dell computer is experiencing a boot issue.

Follow these quick steps to recover your Dell computer from a boot-related issue.

Fix 1: Boot with minimal devices

Faulty hardware devices can cause the computer to experience boot-related issues. To determine which device is causing the issue, let’s start the computer using minimum hardware required to boot into Windows.

1. Turn off the computer.
2. Disconnect all devices such as USB drives, printers, webcams, media cards (SD/xD), except the keyboard and mouse.
3. Turn on the computer.

Fix 2: Perform a hard reset

A hard reset helps drain static electricity that may be causing the boot-related issue. To perform a hard reset, follow these steps.

1. Turn off the computer
2. Disconnect the power cable (for desktop computers), or disconnect the AC adapter and remove the battery (for Dell laptops with removable battery).
   NOTE: For Dell laptops that have a nonremovable battery, learn how to reset real time clock (RTC) to recover your Dell laptop. For Dell laptops with removable batteries, see the user guide of your Dell laptop for step-by-step instructions to safely remove the battery.
   NOTE: On select Dell Latitude laptops, learn how to use forced ePSA to recover from a POST or boot failure.
3. Disconnect all devices such as USB drives, printers, webcams, media cards (SD/xD), except the keyboard and mouse.
4. Press and hold the power button for 15 to 20 seconds to drain the residual power.





5. Connect the power cable (for desktop computers) or the AC adapter and battery (for laptops).
6. Turn on the computer.
   1. If the computer boots into Windows after the hard reset, reconnect the devices one at a time to determine which device is causing the problem.
   2. If the computer fails to startup or boot, go to the next step to reset the BIOS to factory default settings.

Fix 3: Reset the BIOS or UEFI to factory default settings

Incorrect boot settings in the BIOS or UEFI of the computer can cause boot-related issues. Resetting the BIOS or UEFI settings to factory defaults can help resolve many boot-related issues.

Watch this video to learn how to reset the BIOS or UEFI to factory default settings.

NOTE: The BIOS interface on your Dell computer may vary. See the user guide of your Dell computer for product-specific information.

Fix 4: Run a preboot diagnostic test

A potential hardware failure with the system memory (RAM) or system board (motherboard) can cause a POST issue. Running a preboot diagnostics helps identify potential hardware issues that may be causing the startup issue.

1. Turn on your computer.
2. At the Dell logo, press the F12 key several times until the One Time Boot Menu appears.
3. On the boot menu screen, select the Diagnostics option and press Enter.
   
4. The diagnostic test begins.
   

NOTE: The preboot diagnostic interface may vary on your Dell computer, see the user guide of your Dell computer for product-specific information.

NOTE: The mouse is not active during testing.

NOTE: On Dell laptops, user response is required during the LCD test.
5. If there are any issues, error codes are displayed. Make a note of the error code, validation code, and service tag, and then look up the error code.

Fix 5: Repair the missing or corrupted Windows system files

The System File Checker and Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM.exe) are command-line tools to scan Windows and repair the missing or corrupt system files.

1. Restart the computer and boot into Windows. If the computer cannot boot into Windows, try to boot into safe mode with networking.
2. Click Start and search for Command Prompt or cmd.
3. Right-click Command Prompt and select Run as administrator.
4. At the command prompt, type sfc /scannow and press Enter. Watch this video to learn how to run Windows Startup Repair.
5. The System File Checker will scan and verify the operating system files. Do not close the command prompt window until the verification is 100% complete.
6. Restart the computer and check if the issue is resolved.
7. If the issue is not resolved, repeat steps 1 and 2.
8. At the command prompt, type DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth and press Enter.
   NOTE: The DISM tool requires an active internet connection. Connect an ethernet (RJ45) cable directly from the router to the computer. Safe mode with networking does not support wireless (Wi-Fi) internet connection.
9. The Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool will connect to Windows Update online to download and replace missing or corrupted Windows system files (if applicable).
10. After the repair process is complete, restart the computer.

Fix 6: Repair or reset the computer using SupportAssist OS Recovery

When your computer is unable to boot to the operating system even after repeated attempts, it automatically starts SupportAssist OS Recovery on supported Dell computers. This recovery environment enables you to diagnose hardware issues, repair your computer, back up your files, or restore your computer to factory defaults.

Read more about how to restore your Dell computer using SupportAssist OS Recovery.

Watch this video to learn how to use SupportAssist OS Recovery on supported Dell computers.

If the boot-related issue persists, try additional troubleshooting steps if your Dell computer does not boot into Windows.