If when you start your Windows 10 computer and you receive the No bootable drive was detected or the drive failed error message, then this message can help you. In this article, we will identify some known potential causes that could trigger the error, and then provide possible solutions that you can try to resolve this problem.
This error occurs because during the boot process, the system checks the hard drive / SSD for boot information and other information about the operating system in order to use the information to boot the system. However, if the computer cannot retrieve boot information or operating system details from the drive, the error message will appear on the screen.
You may experience this error message due to one or more (but not limited to) of the following known causes:
- Incorrect boot order settings.
- Missing operating system on hard drive.
- Hard drive failure.
- Bad connection of the hard disk to the PC.
- Corrupted startup configuration data (BCD).
No bootable drive was detected or the drive failed
If you are faced with this No bootable drive was detected or the drive failed problem, you can try our recommended solutions below in no particular order and see if it helps to fix the problem.
- Check the PC-HDD / SSD cable connection
- Check the boot priority of the PC
- Check if hard drive / SSD fails
- Perform automatic repair
- Run CHKDSK and SFC
- Rebuild the BCD and repair the MBR.
Let’s take a look at the description of the process involved in relation to each of the solutions listed.
1]Check the PC-HDD / SSD cable connection
The cables connecting the hard drive / SSD to the computer and vice versa may have been disconnected, which could cause No bootable drive was detected or the drive failed Error message.
Follow these steps to check the connections and resolve the problem:
Note: You may need the services of a computer hardware technician.
- Turn off your computer and remove the battery.
- Then open your computer case.
- Detach the hard drive from your computer.
- Clean all ports and cables connecting the hard drive to the computer and vice versa.
- Now reconnect the hard drive to the computer. (Make sure all connections are secure).
- Finally, connect the battery and turn on your computer.
Check if the problem persists. If so, go to the next solution.
2]Check the boot priority of the PC
You may receive the No bootable drive was detected or the drive failed startup error message because your computer is trying to boot from another source and cannot find any boot information instead of booting from the boot disk. If this is the case, all you need to do to resolve this issue is to make sure that the boot disk is at the top of your computer’s boot order.
If that doesn’t solve the problem, try the next solution.
3]Check if hard drive / SSD fails
Another reason for the computer’s inability to boot is that the hard drive / SSD has failed, which triggers the No bootable drive was detected or the drive failed Error message.
You can detach the player from your PC and connect it to another PC to access files and folders on the PC to check if the player is accessible. If you are unable to access the contents of the player, you certainly need a replacement.
You can also check the player’s S.M.A.R.T. status.
Most modern discs have a function called S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring, Analysis, and Generation Technology) that monitors different drive attributes to try to detect a failed drive. In this way, your computer will automatically notify you before data loss occurs and the drive can be replaced while it remains functional.
On Windows, you can manually check the S.M.A.R.T. the status of your readers from the command prompt. Here’s how:
Press Windows key + R.
In the Run dialog box, type cmd and press Enter to launch the command prompt.
In the command prompt window, copy and paste the command below and press Enter.
wmic diskdrive get model, status
He will come back “Caution” or “Pred Fail“If your drive fails or has already failed, or”Okay“If the disk health is correct.
If the result indicates that the drive has failed, it is recommended that you back up your data and replace the drive.
4]Perform auto repair / startup repair
You can also correct No bootable drive was detected or the drive failed problem in performing autostart repair on your system using Windows 10 boot installation DVD.
Here’s how:
- Insert the Windows 10 Startup Installation DVD and then restart your PC.
- Press any key to boot from the CD or DVD when prompted to continue.
- Select your language preferences and click next.
- Click on Fix your computer at the bottom left.
- in the Choose an option screen click Troubleshoot > Advanced option > Auto repair or startup repair.
- Wait for Windows Auto / Startup repairs to complete.
- Restart your PC.
If the problem is still not resolved, go to the next solution.
5]Run CHKDSK and SFC
In this solution, using CHKDSK and SFC to repair the drive could help resolve the issue.
Proceed as follows:
Repeat the steps in solution 4 above to enter the Advanced boot options listing.
So choose Command Prompt option.
In the command prompt window, type the command below and press Enter.
sfc /scannow /offbootdir=c: /offwindir=c:windows chkdsk c: /r
When the operation is complete, exit the command prompt and restart the PC.
If the problem is still not resolved, go to the next solution.
6]Rebuild the BCD and repair the MBR
Provided the boot sector is damaged or corrupted, the No bootable drive was detected or the drive failed an error will occur. In this case, you need to rebuild the boot configuration data file and repair the main boot record file and see if that fixes the problem. Otherwise, you can go to the next solution.
I hope one of these solutions will solve the problem for you!