- Laptops
- Laptop
No Bootable Device
Acer No Bootable Device on laptop: boot drive not detected
Risk level
Medium
Proceed carefully and stop if the check is unclear.
Urgency
Medium
Quick answer
No Bootable Device means the Acer laptop does not detect a hard drive, SSD or other drive to load the operating system from. Hold power 5 seconds, enter the BIOS with F2, press F9 and Enter to load defaults, then save with F10.
Safety first
Stop and check this first
- Do not change SATA mode, boot mode and Secure Boot all at once: try one setting at a time and write it down so you can undo it.
- If the BIOS asks for a supervisor password you do not know, do not try to bypass it: contact Acer support with your proof of purchase.
Safe checks you can perform
- Load the default configuration with F9
- Enable the F12 menu and check priority
- Just updated the BIOS: boot mode and SATA
- New laptop: wait 30 seconds and repeat
- Hard power reset
Leave these tasks to a qualified professional
- Do not attempt this professional task: Drive diagnosis by Acer support
- Do not attempt this professional task: Service BIOS update for affected models
What a technician must be able to justify
Technician visit
These are the steps they must carry out and show you. Tick them as they work: if steps are skipped, do not accept a part swap.
These are not instructions for opening or handling the equipment yourself. They are the checks that should support a technical conclusion.
Drive diagnosis by Acer support
What they doIf the drive is still missing from the BIOS after loading defaults and a power reset, Acer service checks the drive and its connection.
They must show youthe Boot tab without the drive before and with it detected after the repair.
In writingthe cause found, whether the drive was replaced (new or refurbished), what happened to your data and the warranty.
Service BIOS update for affected models
What they doOn the models Acer lists with Western Digital SSDs, service can install the corrected BIOS if you cannot do it yourself.
They must show youthe BIOS version installed and the laptop booting several times in a row without the message.
In writingthe model, the old and new BIOS versions and the case number.
Before accepting a part or repair
Nothing has been shown yet. Do not accept a part swap based on the code alone.
Follow these steps
Note: Follow the documented order. An error code identifies the affected system, but it does not prove by itself which part has failed.
Load the default configuration with F9
- Who:
- you, with the Acer adapter plugged in.
- How:
- hold the power button for 5 seconds to switch off, power on and, as soon as the first logo appears, press F2 to enter the BIOS. Press F9 and Enter to load the default configuration, then F10 to save; select Yes and press Enter.
- Result that matters:
- the laptop finding the drive again and booting normally.
- If Windows starts:
- change no further BIOS settings.
- If the message stays:
- check the boot order in the next step.
- Evidence to keep:
- a photo of the message and the BIOS version shown on the main screen.
Evidence: "No Bootable Device" Error Message
Enable the F12 menu and check priority
- Who:
- you, inside the BIOS (F2 at power on).
- How:
- on the Main tab set F12 Boot Menu to Enabled. On the Boot tab, check that your primary drive (often listed as Windows Boot Manager or by maker name, such as HDD0) sits in position 1 of the priority order, and save with F10. On restart you can also tap F12 and pick the drive.
- Result that matters:
- the system drive coming first instead of network boot or another drive.
- If the drive is listed and boots once moved up:
- the boot order was the problem.
- If the drive is missing from the list:
- the computer does not detect it; note this for Acer support.
- Evidence to keep:
- a photo of the Boot tab with its device list.
Evidence: Troubleshooting "No Bootable Device" after BIOS Updates
Just updated the BIOS: boot mode and SATA
- Who:
- you, only if the message appeared right after the update.
- How:
- on the Boot tab check Boot Mode; Acer suggests UEFI and, if the drive is not registering, temporarily trying Legacy (Secure Boot may need disabling first on the Security tab). On Main, Ctrl+S reveals SATA Mode or VMD Controller on many models: Acer says to match the setting Windows was installed under (AHCI, or VMD/RAID). Change one thing at a time and save with F10.
- Result that matters:
- restoring the boot configuration the laptop had before the update.
- If it boots after one change:
- keep that setting and leave the rest alone.
- If no change works:
- undo what you changed and move on to the power reset.
- Evidence to keep:
- the setting you had before, the one you chose and the result of each try.
Evidence: Troubleshooting "No Bootable Device" after BIOS Updates
New laptop: wait 30 seconds and repeat
- Who:
- you, if the computer is new and shows the message or no video.
- How:
- wait at least 30 seconds with the message on screen, hold the power button for 5 seconds until it is off and power on again. Acer says to repeat this until it boots to Windows, which should only take a few times, then update to the latest BIOS for your model.
- Result that matters:
- letting the SSD finish its self-repair and stopping the message from returning.
- If it reaches Windows:
- install the latest BIOS for your model from the Acer site.
- If it still will not boot after several tries:
- contact Acer support.
- Evidence to keep:
- the exact model (for example A515-58M) and how many cycles it took.
Evidence: "No Bootable Device" Error Message or No Video Displayed on First Startup
Hard power reset
- Who:
- you, without opening the laptop.
- How:
- unplug the adapter and external devices. If the laptop has a battery reset pinhole (marked with a small battery icon), insert a straightened paperclip and hold it for 10 to 15 seconds; if not, hold the power button for 15 to 30 seconds. Reconnect the adapter and power on.
- Result that matters:
- clearing the storage controller if it was stuck.
- If it boots:
- reconnect your devices one at a time.
- If the message remains:
- contact Acer support with everything you noted.
- Evidence to keep:
- whether your model has a reset pinhole and which method you used.
Evidence: Troubleshooting "No Bootable Device" after BIOS Updates
Still not solved
If the error persists, stop here. See what the technician must do and show you.
Where this code applies
A code is meaningful only inside the right product and version context.
Primary scope
- System
- Laptops
- Brand
- Acer
- Product type
- Laptop
Known code variants
- Acer laptop drive not detected at boot
- Acer no arranca disco no detectado
- Acer no bootable device after BIOS update
- No Bootable Device Acer
- No Bootable Device first startup
- No bootable device found
- No Bootable Device tras actualizar BIOS
- No hay dispositivo de arranque
- No hay ningún dispositivo de arranque
What it means
Acer Answers articles on the No Bootable Device message explain that it appears when the computer does not detect a bootable drive, sometimes because of a change to BIOS or UEFI settings. Acer covers the message after a BIOS update in another article (boot order, SATA or VMD mode, UEFI or Legacy) and, in a third, certain newer Western Digital SSDs that enter a self-repair mode on first startup in listed models. Other models may differ. The message alone never proves that the drive is faulty.
Warnings and stop conditions
- Mediumeditorial warning
Do not change SATA mode, boot mode and Secure Boot all at once: try one setting at a time and write it down so you can undo it.
Evidence: Troubleshooting "No Bootable Device" after BIOS Updates
- Mediumeditorial warning
If the BIOS asks for a supervisor password you do not know, do not try to bypass it: contact Acer support with your proof of purchase.
Evidence: "No Bootable Device" Error Message
Symptoms and causes
Probable causes · in order
- BIOS or UEFI settings changedCommon
Acer says a change to BIOS or UEFI settings can stop the computer seeing the drive, and fixes it by loading the default configuration.
Evidence: "No Bootable Device" Error Message
- BIOS update that altered boot settingsPossible
After an update the BIOS returns to factory defaults and may change the boot order, SATA or VMD mode, or UEFI or Legacy mode, according to Acer.
Evidence: Troubleshooting "No Bootable Device" after BIOS Updates
- Western Digital SSD in self-repair modePossible
On some new laptops listed by Acer, certain Western Digital SSDs with data retention technology may enter self-repair and show this message at startup.
Evidence: "No Bootable Device" Error Message or No Video Displayed on First Startup
- Storage controller stuck in an error stateLess common
Acer explains that if the board's storage controller is left in an error state after the update, a hard power reset can clear it.
Evidence: Troubleshooting "No Bootable Device" after BIOS Updates
Virtual technician
Does No Bootable Device still appear after these checks?
Answer a few questions to narrow down the likely cause and the safest next action. Guidance only - it never replaces a professional.
Sources and technical references
- 1
"No Bootable Device" Error Message
Acer · 2026 · official_doc
- 2
Mensaje de error "No Bootable Device".
Acer · 2026 · official_doc
- 3
Troubleshooting "No Bootable Device" after BIOS Updates
Acer · 2026 · official_doc
- 5
"No Bootable Device" Error Message or No Video Displayed on First Startup
Acer · 2026 · official_doc
- 6
Mensaje de error "No hay dispositivo de arranque" o no se muestra ningún video en el primer inicio
Acer · 2026 · official_doc
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