The error message “Restart and select the correct boot device” appears when the motherboard is unable to connect to the hard drive where the operating system is installed.
But there is no need to bring the computer for repair yet. In this post, you will learn some of the ways to fix the problem yourself.
Check the cables
Check the cables
You should first check the cables to make sure they haven’t come loose from the motherboard or hard drive.
If the PC case has recently been moved, this could be a factor. Examine the cable for damage. If there are no problems with cables or connections, you will need to investigate further.
Enter BIOS / UEFI
Enter BIOS / UEFI
BIOS is a program that resides on your motherboard. In simple terms, it is the program that runs all the shows – from your operating system to all the hardware components.
If your motherboard does not detect your hard drive, your BIOS (or in some cases UEFI) settings may provide an answer as to why.
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How to enter BIOS
- To access the BIOS, go to Windows Settings> Update & Security > Recovery> Advanced Startup.
- Click Restart Now. This will force your computer to restart. But instead of redirecting you to the Windows login page as usual, you will be presented with several options for further actions.
- Select Troubleshoot> Advanced Options> UEFI Firmware Settings.
- When prompted to restart your computer, click Restart.
- Your computer will restart again. This time it will open in BIOS / UEFI.
Check BIOS settings
Check BIOS settings
Chances are your BIOS settings page will be different from someone else’s. It all depends on the manufacturer. However, the basic functionality should be the same.
The first thing you need to do is go to the main control panel and see if the motherboard detects the hard drive:
- If it doesn’t detect the hard drive, there is something wrong with your cables. You may have missed this during your initial assessment.
- If it recognizes your hard drive, you need to check the boot order.
Check boot order
Review the boot order
Inside the BIOS there should be a Boot tab or something similar. Open this tab. Here you will find a list of programs, arranged in the order they start when you start your computer. This is the loading order.
Change the order so that your hard drive is the first boot device so that it boots first. Your motherboard may be trying to boot from USB which is causing the error.
Replace CMOS battery
Replace the CMOS battery
Another possible reason why you are getting the primary boot device error on Windows is that the CMOS battery is no longer working properly.
The battery is in the motherboard. When the CMOS battery is no longer in good working condition, it will cause all sorts of problems.
However, replacing the battery is very easy. Turn off the computer and remove the chassis panel. Next, carefully remove the battery. Dispose of residual charge. You can do this by holding down the power button for 10 seconds.
Now all that’s left to do is replace the battery with a new one and the problem with choosing the correct boot device should be gone.
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