LENOVO IDEAPAD Not Booting From USB (How to Fix It)

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Lenovo IdeaPad not booting from USB? Discover our step-by-step guide to troubleshoot and fix booting issues, ensuring a smooth startup from your device!

If your Lenovo Ideapad isn’t booting from a USB drive, you’re not alone. This issue can be frustrating, especially when you’re trying to install a new operating system or run a diagnostic tool. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to fix this problem and get your laptop to boot from a USB drive.

1. Confirm That Your USB Drive is Bootable

Before you dive into troubleshooting your Lenovo Ideapad, it’s essential to make sure that the USB drive you’re using is actually bootable. A bootable USB drive contains a complete, self-contained system that your computer can load into memory and run, bypassing the need for an operating system installed on the hard drive.

To create a bootable USB drive, you can use tools like Rufus, Etcher, or the Windows Media Creation Tool. Once your USB drive is prepared, try booting from it on another computer to confirm that it works. If it doesn’t, the issue might be with the USB drive itself rather than your Lenovo Ideapad.

2. Check the Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI

One of the most common reasons your Lenovo Ideapad isn’t booting from a USB drive is because the boot order in the BIOS/UEFI is not set correctly. The BIOS/UEFI is the firmware interface that initializes your hardware before the operating system takes over.

Here’s how to check and change the boot order:

  1. Power off your Lenovo Ideapad.
  2. Press the power button, and as soon as the Lenovo logo appears, press the F2 or DEL key to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup. If these keys don’t work, try F1, F12, or Esc.
  3. Once inside the BIOS/UEFI, use the arrow keys to navigate to the Boot tab.
  4. Look for an option like Boot Order or Boot Priority.
  5. Ensure that your USB drive is listed as the first boot device. If it’s not, move it to the top of the list using the +/- keys or by following the on-screen instructions.
  6. Save your changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI. Your Lenovo Ideapad should now attempt to boot from the USB drive first.

3. Disable Secure Boot

Secure Boot is a security feature found in most modern computers, including Lenovo Ideapads. It prevents unauthorized software from loading during the boot process, which can sometimes interfere with booting from a USB drive, especially if the USB drive contains an operating system that isn’t recognized as secure by the system.

To disable Secure Boot, follow these steps:

  1. Enter the BIOS/UEFI setup by following the steps mentioned earlier.
  2. Navigate to the Security tab.
  3. Look for an option called Secure Boot and set it to Disabled.
  4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI.

With Secure Boot disabled, try booting from your USB drive again. This step is often crucial when trying to boot from a non-Windows operating system like Linux.

4. Enable Legacy Support (or Compatibility Support Module)

Some Lenovo Ideapads are set to boot using UEFI only, which might not be compatible with older operating systems or certain bootable USB drives. Enabling Legacy Support (or the Compatibility Support Module, CSM) can help your system recognize and boot from older USB drives.

To enable Legacy Support, do the following:

  1. Enter the BIOS/UEFI setup.
  2. Navigate to the Boot tab.
  3. Look for an option labeled Boot Mode or UEFI/Legacy Boot.
  4. Change the setting from UEFI to Legacy or Both.
  5. Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI.

Once Legacy Support is enabled, your Lenovo Ideapad should be able to boot from a wider range of USB drives.

5. Try a Different USB Port

Sometimes, the issue might be as simple as a faulty USB port. If your Lenovo Ideapad has multiple USB ports, try plugging the bootable USB drive into a different port, preferably a USB 2.0 port if available. USB 3.0 ports are known to have compatibility issues with some bootable drives, especially on older laptops.

6. Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware

If your Lenovo Ideapad still isn’t booting from a USB drive, it’s possible that an outdated BIOS/UEFI is causing compatibility issues. Updating the BIOS/UEFI to the latest version can resolve these issues.

To update the BIOS/UEFI firmware:

  1. Visit the Lenovo Support website.
  2. Enter your Ideapad’s model number to find the latest BIOS/UEFI update.
  3. Download the update and follow the on-screen instructions to install it. Be careful when updating BIOS/UEFI, as a failed update can render your system unbootable.

After updating, try booting from the USB drive again.

7. Check the USB Drive Format

The format of the USB drive itself can sometimes cause issues with booting. Most BIOS/UEFI systems prefer the USB drive to be formatted in FAT32 rather than NTFS. If your USB drive is formatted as NTFS, you might need to reformat it as FAT32 and recreate the bootable drive.

To format your USB drive to FAT32:

  1. Insert the USB drive into a working computer.
  2. Open This PC or File Explorer.
  3. Right-click the USB drive and select Format.
  4. In the Format window, select FAT32 from the File System dropdown menu.
  5. Click Start to begin formatting the drive. Be aware that this will erase all data on the USB drive.
  6. Once formatting is complete, recreate the bootable USB drive using your preferred tool.

8. Test on Another Computer

If you’ve tried all the steps above and your Lenovo Ideapad still isn’t booting from the USB drive, it might be worth testing the USB drive on another computer. This can help you determine if the problem lies with the USB drive or the Lenovo Ideapad.

If the USB drive boots successfully on another computer, then the issue is likely with your Lenovo Ideapad’s settings or hardware. If the USB drive doesn’t work on another computer, you may need to create a new bootable USB drive or use a different one.

9. Reset BIOS/UEFI to Default Settings

If you’ve made several changes to your BIOS/UEFI and none of them seem to be working, it might be time to reset everything to default settings. This can sometimes resolve boot issues by undoing any incorrect changes.

To reset the BIOS/UEFI to default settings:

  1. Enter the BIOS/UEFI setup.
  2. Look for an option like Load Defaults, Load Setup Defaults, or Reset to Default.
  3. Select this option and confirm.
  4. Save the changes and exit the BIOS/UEFI.

After resetting to default settings, try booting from the USB drive again.

10. Consider Hardware Issues

If none of the above solutions work, there could be a hardware issue with your Lenovo Ideapad. Possible causes include a faulty USB port, motherboard issues, or even a problem with the USB drive connector.

If you suspect a hardware problem, it may be best to contact Lenovo support or take your laptop to a professional technician for further diagnosis.

Conclusion

Getting your Lenovo Ideapad to boot from a USB drive can be a bit tricky, but by following these steps, you should be able to resolve most issues. Start by ensuring your USB drive is bootable, then check your BIOS/UEFI settings, and finally, consider hardware issues if all else fails.

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