The β€œNo bootable device” error on Xiaomi laptop: a complete fix guide

You have turned on a Xiaomi laptop, and instead of the usual Windows boot or MIUI (Depending on the model, a chilling message appeared on the screen saying, "No bootable device - Insert boot disk and press any key"?This error means that the system can't find the boot disk - and the reasons can be as software (failure) BIOS, Partition damage) and hardware (failure SSD/HDD). V 90% In some cases, the problem can be solved independently without resorting to a service center.

In this article, we will analyze all possible causes of error on Xiaomi laptops (Mi Notebook Pro series, RedmiBook, Mi Gaming Laptop, etc.), offer step-by-step instructions for diagnosis and recovery, and also tell you how to avoid data loss. We will pay special attention to the nuances specific to Xiaomi devices, for example, working with a hidden recovery partition or features. UEFI-regime BIOS.

Why is there a β€œNo bootable device” error?

The No bootable device message is a signal from BIOS/UEFI that the system has not detected the boot sector on the connected drives, and on Xiaomi laptops this is most often the case for the following reasons:

  • πŸ”„ Failure of loading order in BIOS: After updating the firmware or resetting settings BIOS The priority of the boot devices may have been lost (for example, instead of SSD The first is the network adapter).
  • πŸ’Ύ Damage to the boot section (MBR/GPT): Viruses, incorrect shutdowns, or errors in Windows updates can destroy the disk structure.
  • πŸ–₯️ Failure of the drive: SSD or HDD physically failed (especially important for models with PCIe-drives without a backup slot for the SATA).
  • πŸ”§ Iron Replacement Conflict: If You Have Changed Recently SSD, memory, BIOS It may have β€œforgotten” the configuration of the equipment.
  • πŸ”„ Firmware failure BIOS/UEFI: Rarely, but happens after interrupted updates or experiments with modified firmware.

There is another specific reason for Xiaomi laptops: a hidden recovery partition (usually 1-3 GB) that can be damaged or hidden after a failed system reset. Unlike many other brands, Xiaomi often uses custom recovery solutions, which complicates diagnosis.

⚠️ Note: If the error occurred after trying to install Linux or another OS on top of Windows, there is a high risk of damage to the partition table. In this case, standard recovery methods (such as bootrec) may not work - manual restoration will be required. GPT.

First steps: Diagnosing the problem

Before you start fixing, you need to know if it's a software failure or a hardware failure.

  1. Check the drive connection: disconnect the laptop from the network, remove the battery (if it is removable). If you have a model with a removable SSD (for example, RedmiBook 14/16), carefully remove it and install it back. For soldered models (for example, Mi Notebook Pro X 15), skip this step.
  2. Go to BIOS/UEFI: Turn on your laptop and press F2 (or Del for some models) multiple times. Check if your SSD/HDD is displayed in the Boot or Advanced β†’ SATA Configuration section.

Try to boot from the flash drive.

  • Create a bootable flash drive with Windows PE (like Sergey Strelec) or Linux Live.
  • If the flash drive loads and the SSD does not, the problem is in the drive or its partitions.

If an SSD is not defined even in the BIOS, it can mean:

  • πŸ”Œ Poor contact (relevant to removable drives).
  • πŸ’₯ Physical failure of the controller or memory SSD.
  • ⚑ Insufficient power (rarely, but happens with a faulty power supply).
πŸ“Š What kind of Xiaomi laptop you have?
Mi Notebook Pro
RedmiBook
Mi Gaming Laptop
Other
I don't know the model.

Correction of the loading order in the BIOS

If the SSD is determined in the BIOS, but the laptop still gives an error, the first thing to do is check the boot device's pre-order. On Xiaomi laptops, the procedure is as follows:

  1. Go to the BIOS (F2 when downloading).
  2. Go to Boot (or Startup on some models).
  3. Find a list of devices (Boot Option Priorities). Your SSD should come first.
  4. If an SSD is not listed, turn it on manually: Go to Boot β†’ Add Boot Option. Select your drive (e.g. NVMe: Samsung SSD 970). Save the changes (F10).

On Xiaomi laptops with dual boot (Windows + MIUI for ARM) you may need additional configuration:

  • πŸ”§ Turn it on. CSM Support (Compatibility Support Module) in the Boot section if it is disabled.
  • πŸ”„ Install Boot Mode Select in position UEFI (Legacy!).
  • πŸ’Ύ Disable Secure Boot if you plan to restore the system through third-party utilities.

⚠️ Note: Mi Notebook Pro X and RedmiBook Pro 15 after reset BIOS The download option may be missing from USB. In this case, before connecting the flash drive, you first need to press Esc when booting to call the device selection menu.

Make sure the SSD is visible in BIOS| Check download priority | Disable Secure Boot (if necessary)| Enable CSM (for Legacy mode) | Save settings (F10)

-->

Boot Partition Recovery (MBR/GPT)

If an SSD is detected but Windows is not booting, it is likely that the boot sector or partition table is damaged. You will need a boot drive with Windows PE or Windows installation image to restore it.

  1. Boot from a flash drive: In the download menu (usually F12 or Esc), select your flash drive.

Launch the command line

  • On the Windows installation screen, press Shift + F10.
  • Or select System Restore β†’ Command Prompt.
  • Check the state of the disk: diskpart list disk select disk 0 (select your SSD) list partition exit If there are no partitions or they are marked as Unknown, the partition table is corrupted.
  • Restore the bootloader: bootrec /fixmbr bootrec /fixboot bootrec /scanos bootrec /rebuildbcd If bootrec /rebuildbcd It makes a mistake, try it: bcdedit /export C:\BCD_Backup attrib C:\boot\bcd -h -r -s ren C:\boot\bcd bcd.old bootrec /rebuildbcd

πŸ’‘

If the message β€œElement not found” appears after bootrec commands, check the system disk letter in diskpart – it may differ from C: in the recovery environment.

What to do if the SSD is not detected?

If the drive is not visible in either the BIOS or the diskpart, it can mean hardware failure, but before you bring the laptop into service, try the following steps:

  • πŸ”Œ Check the connection: For removables SSD: Take it out and put it back in, make sure the contacts are clean. SSD: try to press the storage case slightly (sometimes helps with poor contact of the memory chip).
  • πŸ”§ Drop it. BIOS: Turn off the laptop, remove the battery (if possible). Press the power button for 30 seconds (discharge the capacitors β€” BIOS squash.
  • πŸ’½ Check the drive on another device: Connect SSD via another PC USB-If it's not detected, the drive is malfunctioning.

If the recovery partition is damaged or missing from the download menu, you can try manually activating it:

diskpart


list disk




select disk 0




list partition




select partition X (where X is the hidden partition number, usually 1-3 GB)




active




exit




reagentc /enable

On Xiaomi dual-boot laptops (Windows + MIUI for ARM), the hidden partition may contain an image of both systems, in which case the recovery will return both OSes, but the data on the C disk will be lost.

What to do if the recovery section is removed?
If the hidden partition has been removed (for example, when you split a disk), it can only be restored using the official image from Xiaomi. To do this: 1. Download the firmware for your model from the Xiaomi support site. 2. Unpack the image and write it to the flash drive using Rufus in DD. 3 mode. Boot from the flash drive and follow the instructions (the process is similar to a clean Windows installation).

When do you call the service?

Not all problems can be solved by yourself. Contact Xiaomi Service Center if:

  • πŸ’₯ SSD It is not physically defined on any device (even through a USB-adapter).
  • πŸ”₯ The laptop does not turn on at all (no indication, does not respond to the power button).
  • πŸ”§ You have replaced components (for example, SSD or memory, and then there was an error.
  • πŸ”„ All software recovery methods failed, and disk data is critical.

The cost of repairs in official Xiaomi services (as of 2026):

Type of repairCost (rupe)Date(s)
Diagnostics0–5001
SSD replacement (without storage cost)1 500–3 0001–2
Data recovery3 000–10 0002–5
Reflashing the BIOS2 000–4 0001–3

Before the service visit:

  • πŸ“‹ Write down the exact model of the laptop (located on the sticker below).
  • πŸ’Ύ Make a backup copy of the data if SSD determined.
  • πŸ”§ Check if the service center has original SSD Xiaomi (not all models support third-party drives).

⚠️ Note: Unofficial services often offer cheap replacements SSD This can lead to compatibility issues (e.g. Mi Notebook Pro does not load with some of the WD Black or Crucial P5). Always check compatibility!

FAQ: Frequent questions by mistake "No bootable device"

Can I recover data if I don’t have an SSD?
Yes, but only if the problem is not physical damage to the controller. Use a PCIe adapter to connect the SSD to another PC and programs like R-Studio or DMDE. If the SSD is not detected even through the adapter, the chances of recovery are minimal - you will need professional equipment (cost from 5 000 rubles).
Xiaomi laptop doesn't see a bootable flash drive. What do you do?
The problem is typical of models with Secure Boot. Solutions: Disable Secure Boot in BIOS. Rewrite the flash drive in mode UEFI:NTFS (Try another one. USB-Port (on some Xiaomi laptops only) USB 3.0 supports booting).
After replacing the SSD, the laptop writes, "No bootable device." Why?
The new SSD needs to be initialized and installed: Boot from the Windows installation flash drive. In the installation menu, press Shift + F10, run diskpart. Follow the commands: list disk select disk 0 clean convert gpt exit Continue installing Windows in UEFI mode.
The error appears after the BIOS update. How do you roll back?
On Xiaomi laptops, BIOS rollback is only possible through disaster recovery: Download the previous version of the BIOS for your model from the MIUI forum. Rename the file to bios.bin and place it on a flash drive in FAT32. Connect the flash drive, pinch Win + B and turn on the laptop (hold 10-15 seconds). Wait for the indicator to blink (the process will take 3-5 minutes). Risk: The wrong BIOS file can kill the motherboard! Use only official firmware.
Xiaomi has Linux on it. How do you get Windows back?
If you installed Linux on top of Windows, most likely the boot partition of EFI was overwritten. To return Windows: Create a bootable flash drive with Windows. boot from it, press Shift + F10 and execute: diskpart list disk select disk 0 listition select partition X (partition EFI, usually 100-500 MB) assign=S exit bcd letterboot C:\Windows /s S: /f UEFI Reboot - Windows boot should appear.

πŸ’‘

If Xiaomi laptop does not boot, first check the order of the devices in the BIOS, then restore the boot sector through bootrec. Only if the SSD is not physically determined - contact the service.