How to enter BIOS on computers and laptops

What is BIOS? BIOS (short for Basic Input / Output System – basic input / output system) is a place where many groups of instructions are stored on a motherboard Firmware chip that helps control basic features of the computer.
The BIOS system is responsible for managing the flow of data between the computer operating system and any attached devices including: hard drives, keyboards, video adapters, printers or mice…

Instructions to enter BIOS on different computer lines

Method 1: Use keyboard shortcuts

Different computer brands specify different BIOS shortcuts, HP laptops often use the F10 or ESC key. DEL and F2 are common shortcuts to enter BIOS on PC, but if you’re not sure what hotkey you need, you can refer to the following list:

Acer: F2 or DEL
ASUS: F2 for any PC, F2 or DEL for motherboards
Dell: F2 or F12
HP: ESC or F10
Lenovo: F2 or Fn + F2
Lenovo (PC): F1
Lenovo (ThinkPads): Enter + F1.
MSI: DEL for Motherboards and PCs
Microsoft Surface tablet: Press and hold the volume up button.
Normal PC: F2
Samsung: F2
Sony: F1, F2 or F3
Toshiba: F2

Method 2: Use the Windows 10 Start menu

Step 1: Access Windows settings: go to Start menu > Settings located on the left panel. You can also quickly access it with the Windows + I keyboard shortcut.

Step 2: In the Settings window, scroll and find the Update & security button

Step 3: Select Recovery

Step 4: Click Restart now

In the Advanced startup section, you will see a Restart now button, which allows you to restart the computer for configuration or restore.

After the computer restarts, you will see a special menu that offers the option to Use a device, Continue, Turn off your PC or Troubleshoot.

Step 5: Select Troubleshoot

In this window, select Advanced options, then select UEFI Firmware Settings. This will allow you to enter the BIOS on your Windows 10 PC.

Step 6: Confirm reboot.

If your PC runs Windows 8/8.1 then the above method should also work.

List of BIOS access keys by model

Laptop SONY VAIO

• To enter the BIOS when restarting the computer you need to press and hold the F2 . key
• To enter Recovery when restarting your computer, you need to press and hold the F10 key

HP Laptop – COMPAQ

• On some HP models, you will have to press ESC – the Escape button to enter the BIOS.
• To get into the BIOS when you restart your computer, you need to press and hold the F10 or F2, F6 key on some computers.
• To enter Recovery when restarting your computer, you need to press and hold the F11 key
• To get into BOOT when you restart your computer, you need to press and hold the F9 key

Laptop ACER

• To get into BOOT when you restart your computer, you need to press and hold the F12 key
• To get into the BIOS when restarting the computer you need to press and hold the F2 or DEL key (F1 or Ctrl + Alt + Esc on some older computers)

ASUS Laptop

• To enter the BIOS when restarting the computer you need to press and hold the ESC key. There are some laptops that require you to press and hold F2 then press the Power button, keep holding F2 until the BIOS screen appears.
• To get into BOOT when you restart your computer, you need to press and hold the F2 key

Laptop LENOVO THINKPAD

• To enter the BIOS when restarting the computer you need to press and hold the F1 or F2 key
• To enter Recovery when restarting your computer, you need to press and hold the ThinkVantage key
• To get into BOOT when you restart your computer, you need to press and hold the F12 key

DELL Laptop

• To enter the BIOS when restarting the computer you need to press and hold the F2 . key
• To enter Recovery when restarting your computer, you need to press and hold the F8 key and select Repair your Computer
• To get into BOOT when you restart your computer, you need to press and hold the F12 key

Alienware Laptops

• To enter the BIOS when restarting the computer you need to press and hold the F2 . key

Razer Laptops

• To enter the BIOS when restarting the computer you need to press and hold the F1 or DEL key

List of BIOS access keys by motherboard

Mainboard Abit - Press the DEL . key
Acer motherboard - Press the F2 or DEL key. On older computers, you can press F1 or Ctrl + Alt + Esc
Mainboard ACube Systems - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Mainboard AMAX - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Mainboard AOpen - Press the F2 or DEL key.
ASRock Mainboard - Press the F2 key.
ASUS motherboard - Press the DEL, Print or F10 key.
Mainboard Biostar - Press the DEL key.
Mainboard BFG - Press DEL.
Mainboard Chassis Plans - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Motherboard FREESCALE - Press DEL.
Mainboard DFI - Press DEL.
ECS Elitegroup Mainboard - Press the DEL or F1 key.
EPoX Mainboard - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Mainboard EVGA - Press the Del key.
Mainboard First International Computer - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Mainboard Fujitsu - Press the F12 (or F11) key to enter the Boot Menu then press the Tab button to switch to the Application Menu and then select BIOS Setup
Mainboard Foxconn - Press Del.
GIGABYTE motherboard - Press the Del key.
Mainboard Gumstix - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Intel motherboard - Press the F2 key.
JetWay Mainboard - Press the DEL . key
Mainboard Lanner Inc - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Leadtek Mainboard - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Mainboard Lite-On - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Mainboard Mach Speed - Press the DEL key.
MSI motherboard (Micro-Star) - Press the DEL key.
NZXT Mainboard - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Mainboard PCChips - Press the DEL or F1 key.
Mainboard PNY - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Mainboard Powercolor - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Mainboard SAPPHIRE - Press the DEL key.
Mainboard Shuttle - Press the Del key or Ctrl + Alt + Esc.
Mainboard Simmtronics - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Soyo motherboard - Press the DEL key.
Super Micro Mainboard - Press the DEL key.
Mainboard TYAN - Press the DEL or F4 key.
Mainboard VIA - Press the F2 or DEL key.
Vigor Gaming Mainboard - Press the F2 or DEL key.
XFX Mainboard - Press the DEL key.
ZOTAC motherboard - Press the DEL key.

Can’t access BIOS, what to do?

Try the following 2 troubleshooting methods to gain access to the computer BIOS.

1. Disable fast startup

1. Navigate to the Power options section in Control Panel
2. Click Choose what the power button do in the left section.
3. Click Change settings that are currently available located above the Power and sleep button and lid settings section.
4. Uncheck Turn on fast startup.
5. Restart the computer and try pressing the shortcut to enter the BIOS again.

2. Use the Emergency Boot Disk

1. Click Repair your computer.
2. Click Troubleshoot.
3. Click on UEFI Firmware Settings.
4. Select Restart.

If your computer still won’t work, you may need to find a computer repair professional near you to help solve your computer problems.