Fix: Could Not Locate EFI\BOOT\BOOTX64.EFI Error | Explained & Solved!

Muhammad ZubyanPublished on December 5, 2024
Zubyan is a certified PCHP and Google IT Support Professional.

The issue “Could not locate efi\boot\bootx64.efi” occurs when the system’s UEFI firmware cannot find the necessary boot-loader files. Common causes include incorrect USB formatting, mismatched partition styles between the USB and the target disk, or restrictive Secure Boot settings that restrict boot-loader access.

According to the image, the USB is MBR, but UEFI mode needs GPT. Recreate the USB as GPT with FAT32 to resolve this.

In simple terms, this error indicates a disconnect between your bootable device and your system’s UEFI settings. This typically happens during installations or repairs of Windows. By ensuring proper partitioning, file formats, and BIOS configurations, you can resolve this issue quickly. Let’s resolve the issue!

Note: This guide specifically addresses the EFI boot error issue during the installation or repair of Windows operating systems. While similar issues may occur in other environments, such as Linux distributions, the instructions and solutions provided here are tailored for Windows users. For non-Windows operating systems, please refer to resources specific to those environments.

Things to Know Before Proceeding:

It’s important to understand that UEFI has largely replaced the traditional BIOS in modern systems. Legacy mode (or CSM) is included in UEFI systems to support older operating systems and hardware. This guide will help you determine your system’s current boot mode and make necessary changes to resolve the EFI boot error.

How to Check if Your BIOS is Legacy or UEFI from Windows:

  • If Legacy mode (often referred to as Compatibility Support Module or CSM) is enabled in your UEFI firmware settings, your system is mimicking traditional BIOS behavior and typically uses an MBR (Master Boot Record) partitioning style.
  • If UEFI mode is active in your firmware settings, your system can utilize the GPT (GUID Partition Table) partitioning style, which is more advanced than MBR and offers additional features.
  1. Press Windows + S keys together and search for “System Information“.
  2. In the System Summary, find the BIOS Mode.
  3. Check if it’s UEFI or Legacy/BIOS.

Since we’re encountering an issue with installing Windows, it’s likely related to Legacy/BIOS settings. Let’s check the details first and then proceed with a fresh start.

Check for Hardware Specifications:

  1. Press the appropriate key to Enter BIOS.
    (usually Del, F2, or ESC—search for your motherboard model online for the BIOS Setup key). We also have a detailed guide about this, visit: https://appuals.com/access-motherboard-bios/
  2. While the PC is restarting, press the BIOS key repeatedly to enter the BIOS menu.
  3. In the BIOS menu, look for the Boot or Advanced section.
  4. Look for an option related to UEFI or BOOT Mode. If you see UEFI listed, your motherboard supports it. If not, your system may only support legacy BIOS.

How to Check Your Current Partition Format (GPT or MBR)

  1. Press Windows + S, type Disk Management, and open it.
  2. Find your current boot disk (usually identified by its size).
  3. Right-click on it, select Properties,
  4. Check the Partition style under disk information in the Volume tab. It will show either GUID Partition Table (GPT) or Master Boot Record (MBR).

Once everything is verified, you can start the installation process smoothly. This guide covers all possible causes of the error, so follow it carefully to fix any related issues.

1. Convert MBR to GPT Using Windows Command Prompt:

If your system supports UEFI as mentioned above, you must convert the partition style from MBR to GPT if its current state is MBR.

CRITICAL WARNING:

  • Converting a disk from MBR to GPT involves the “clean” command, which will erase all data and partitions on the selected disk. This action is irreversible and will result in total data loss if a backup is not created beforehand. Ensure you have securely backed up all important data before proceeding with the conversion.
  • Furthermore, do not proceed with converting to GPT unless your hardware explicitly supports UEFI mode. Attempting to boot a GPT disk on a system that only supports Legacy/BIOS will prevent Windows from loading. Verify your system’s compatibility with UEFI to avoid accessibility issues post-conversion.

Follow these steps before enabling UEFI mode from BIOS:

  1. Boot into Windows (while BIOS is still set to Legacy; otherwise, you cannot access Windows).
  2. Open Windows Search by pressing Win + S, type cmd, right-click on it, and select Run as administrator.
  3. Type the following commands one by one to convert MBR to GPT:
    diskpart
List Disk
select disk X  (Replace "X" with the number of the disk you want to convert)
clean
convert gpt
Once DISKPART successfully converts the selected disk to GPT format, close Command Prompt and restart your computer.
For more details, you can read our detailed article What is MBR and GPT: Which one is better.

2. Enable UEFI Mode for GPT Compatibility

Once we have converted our disk from MBR to GPT, to resolve the “Could not locate efi\boot\bootx64.efi” error, it’s crucial to ensure that your system is set to UEFI mode when using the GPT partition style. Be sure to select it to allow UEFI to read the (GPT) disk partition style.

Enable UEFI Mode for GPT Compatibility and Check UEFI Support:

As we convert our partition from MBR to GPT to resolve the “Could not locate efi\boot\bootx64.efi” error, it’s important to make sure your system is set to UEFI mode from BIOS, as mentioned above

IMPORTANT NOTE: As we converted our MBR to GPT partition style, now we can enable UEFI from BIOS if it’s supported; otherwise, stick with MBR or upgrade your hardware.

Navigate to Boot Options in BIOS/UEFI:

  1. Once inside BIOS/UEFI, you’ll need to find the boot configuration settings. This can vary depending on the manufacturer, but generally it’s Del, F2, or ESC—search for your motherboard model online for the BIOS Setup key.
  2. Look for a tab or menu labeled Boot, Boot Options, Boot Order, or Advanced Boot.
  3. You should see options like UEFI, Legacy, or UEFI/Legacy.
  4. Make sure to select UEFI to read the GPT disk partition style.
    Important: Some systems may automatically switch to UEFI when you use GPT partitioning, so you may only need to verify this setting.
  5. After making changes, press the appropriate key or find the exit option to Save and Exit.
  6. Confirm the changes when prompted and allow your system to reboot.

3. Use the Correct ISO for Your System

Just as we verified the UEFI-related settings on your motherboard in the first step, now we will verify the Windows ISO file and recreate it to ensure there are no issues.

In most cases, when we download files from third-party websites, these issues can arise. Sometimes, it’s also due to improper bootable configurations. We will use the Official Windows Media Creation Tool to create a bootable USB drive again. This way, we ensure that the ISO file we’ve downloaded is official and correct.

  1. Go to the official Microsoft download page for Windows 11 or Windows 10 (depending on your system).
  2. Scroll down and find the section for “Create Windows Installation Media” and click “Download Now” to get the Media Creation Tool.
  3. Once downloaded, open the tool and accept the license agreement.
  4. You will be prompted with “What do you want to do?” Choose Create installation media (USB flash drive, DVD, or ISO file) for another PC.
  5. Choose the Windows requirements: Architecture, language, and edition.
  6. Choose “USB flash Drive” as the media type to create the bootable USB drive.
  7. Ensure the USB drive is connected and has at least 8GB of free space.
  8. The Media Creation Tool will now download the Windows ISO and automatically create the bootable USB. This may take some time, depending on your internet speed.
  9. Once the process is complete, check your USB drive to ensure it has the necessary boot files and that the ISO is correctly copied. To test if your USB drive is bootable, you can restart your computer and boot from the USB.

4. Still Facing the Error? Fix GPT/MBR and UEFI Issues

Many users get stuck when using a GPT-formatted USB. They enable UEFI from the BIOS but still face issues because their partition is still MBR, which causes the problem. In this case, disable UEFI in BIOS, insert the MBR bootable USB, and follow the steps under Repair Windows → Troubleshoot → Advanced → Command Prompt.

Using the commands mentioned in Step 1 can help solve the “Could not locate efi\boot\bootx64.efi” issue. After converting the disk, restart your PC, insert the GPT-formatted bootable USB, enable UEFI again from BIOS, and you’re all set. If you encounter any further issues, feel free to reach out at zubyan@appuals.com. Good luck!

Muhammad ZubyanPublished on December 5, 2024
Zubyan is a certified PCHP and Google IT Support Professional.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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Muhammad Zubyan


Muhammad Zubyan is a certified Google IT Support Professional with over 7 years of extensive experience. He has worked on more than 1500 computers, gaining valuable insights that enable him to detect and troubleshoot any complicated root cause of Windows-related issues and errors. In addition to managing Appuals as a Senior Editor, he is currently developing his own Game Optimization program that caters to both gamers and casual users alike.