"Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device" Error

If you see the "Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device" message when starting your CLX PC, the system is having trouble finding the Windows installation needed to start the PC.

This can happen if the wrong boot device is selected, the storage drive is not being detected, or there is an issue with Windows or the drive itself.

The first step is to check the boot options in the BIOS.

Check the Boot Options

1. Turn on your PC.
2. As soon as the PC starts, repeatedly press the Delete key to enter the BIOS.
3. Open the Boot section.
4. Look for Windows Boot Manager in the available boot options.

If Windows Boot Manager Is Listed

If Windows Boot Manager is listed:

1. Make sure Windows Boot Manager is set as the first boot option.
2. Save your BIOS settings.
3. Restart the PC.

If Windows starts normally, the issue was likely caused by the boot order being changed.

If Windows Boot Manager Is Not Listed

If Windows Boot Manager is not listed, the next step is to check whether the storage drive itself is being detected.

Look for a section such as Storage, NVMe Configuration, or System Information in the BIOS. The exact location may vary depending on your motherboard.

Check whether your M.2 SSD is listed.

If the SSD Is Detected

If the SSD is detected but Windows Boot Manager is not available, there may be an issue with the Windows installation or its boot files.

Contact CLX Support before attempting to reinstall Windows or make other changes to the drive.

If the SSD Is Not Detected

If the SSD is not detected anywhere in the BIOS, the drive may not be making proper contact with the motherboard, or there may be an issue with the drive itself.

If you are comfortable working inside your PC, you can try reseating the M.2 SSD.

Reseat the M.2 SSD

Only continue if you are comfortable working inside your PC. If you are unsure about any of these steps, contact CLX Support for assistance.

1. Shut down the PC completely.
2. Disconnect the power cable from the back of the PC.
3. Remove the glass side panel to access the internal components.
4. Locate the M.2 SSD installed on the motherboard. An M.2 SSD is a small storage drive installed directly into the motherboard and is approximately the size of a stick of gum.
5. Depending on your system, the M.2 drive may be located underneath the graphics card or underneath one of the motherboard's heatsinks or covers.

If you cannot locate the M.2 drive, do not remove other components to access it. Contact CLX Support instead.

Remove and Reseat the SSD

1. Locate the small screw securing the M.2 SSD to the motherboard.
2. Remove the screw.
3. The SSD should lift slightly once the screw is removed.
4. Carefully pull the SSD straight out of the M.2 slot.
5. Reinsert the SSD into the slot at the same angle.
6. Make sure the SSD is fully inserted.
7. Press the SSD down toward the motherboard.
8. Reinstall the screw to secure the SSD.

Do not force the SSD into or out of the slot.

For a visual demonstration, see this video showing how to remove and install an M.2 SSD.

Test the PC

After reseating the SSD:

1. Reconnect the power cable.
2. Turn on the PC.
3. Enter the BIOS again by pressing Delete.
4. Check whether the SSD is now detected.
5. Go to the Boot section and check whether Windows Boot Manager is available.
6. If Windows Boot Manager is listed, make sure it is the first boot option.
7. Save your changes and restart the PC.

If Windows Starts

If Windows starts normally after reseating the SSD, the issue may have been caused by the SSD not making proper contact with the motherboard.

If the SSD Is Still Not Detected

If the SSD is still not detected in the BIOS after reseating it, there may be an issue with the storage drive, motherboard, or M.2 slot.

Contact CLX Support for assistance before attempting additional troubleshooting.

If the SSD Is Detected but Windows Still Does Not Start

If the SSD is detected but you continue to receive the "Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device" message, there may be an issue with the Windows installation or boot files.

Contact CLX Support before attempting to reinstall Windows or make changes to the drive.

Depending on our diagnostics, we may recommend additional Windows troubleshooting, repairing the Windows installation, or replacing the storage drive.

Contact CLX Support

If you are unable to resolve the issue or are unsure about any of the steps above, contact CLX Support.

Please have your CLX serial number available so we can identify your system configuration and determine the appropriate next steps.

Important: If you have important files stored on the affected drive, let our support team know before attempting to reinstall Windows. A Windows reinstallation can potentially remove data from the drive.