Fix: System Doesn’t Have Any USB Boot Option

Some PC users are encountering the “System doesn’t have any USB boot option” error when trying to reinstall Windows or when trying to access the  EFI USB Device inside the Advanced Options menu. The issue is not restricted to a certain build or model as it’s reported to occur with most manufacturers including Lenovo, Dell, ASUS etc.

What is causing the “system doesn’t have any USB boot option” issue?

We investigated this particular issue by looking at various affected users reports and the repair strategies that they collectively used to get the issue resolved. Our investigations revealed several culprits that are confirmed to cause this particular error message:

If you’re currently struggling with this particular error message, this article will provide you with several verified steps that will troubleshoot the issue. Down below, you’ll discover a collection of methods that other users in a similar situation have used to get to the bottom of the issue.

If you want to remain efficient through this whole process, follow the potential fixes below in order until you find a fix that will resolve the problem in your particular scenario. If some of the methods below will not be applicable to your scenario, skip them and continue down the list.

Method 1: Disabling Secure boot from the Boot Options Screen

One popular fix that a lot of affected users have deployed successfully to resolve the “System doesn’t have any USB boot option” error is to disable Secure boot from the BIOS/UEFI settings.

Secure boot is an industry standard developed by the biggest players in the PC industry in order to ensure that the computer exclusively uses software trusted by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM).  However, this security feature might create problems if you’ve created the installation media yourself through unofficial channels like Rufus.

As you can expect, the process of disabling Secure Boot will be different from manufacturer to manufacturer. But there are some similarities in the process that can be followed by everyone:

1. Power up your machine and start pressing your the Setup (boot) key during the bootup sequence. Most of the time, the setup key will be displayed on your screen. But you can also find your particular boot sequence by pressing the Esc key, the F keys (F1, F2, F4, F8, F12) or the Del key (Dell computers) repeatedly or by searching online for your dedicated setup key.
   

   

   Note: If you have UEFI, hold the Shift key while clicking the Restart button. Then, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options: UEFI Firmware Settings to reach the UEFI settings.

   

2. Once you gained entry to your bios menu, look for a setting named Secure Boot and set it to disabled. Typically, you will find it inside the Security tab, but depending on your BIOS /UEFI version, you might also find it inside the Boot or Authentication tab.
   
3. Once Secure Boot is disabled, save the changes to the BIOS / UEFI and restart your computer.
4. See if you’re no longer encountering the “System doesn’t have any USB boot option” error while Secure Boot is disabled.

If you’re still encountering the same error message, move down to the next method below.

Method 2: Enabling Legacy/CSM Boot support 

Some users have reported that the issue has been resolved after they accessed their UEFI settings and enabled BIOS compatibility mode / CSM Boot support. In most cases, this will improve the compatibility with older operating systems that weren’t designed for UEFI and allow you to bypass the “System doesn’t have any USB boot option” error.

Here’s a quick guide on enabling the Legacy/CSM support on UEFI/BIOS firmware:

1. Click the Power icon and press Restart while holding the Shift key. This will ensure that your operating system will restart directly into the Advanced Recovery menu.

   

   Note: On Windows 10, you can open a Run box ( Windows key + R), type “ms-settings:recovery” and press Enter to open the Recovery tab of the Update & security settings menu.  Then, click on Restart now under Advanced startup to restart your computer directly into the recovery menu.

2. Once your computer restarts into the Advanced Options menu, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options and click on UEFI/BIOS Firmware Settings.

   

3. Then, click the Restart button to change the UEFI firmware settings. Your computer will then restart directly into the UEFI/BIOS Setup.

   

4. Once you arrive inside your UEFI Firmware settings, check your settings for an entry that will allow you to change the Boot Mode from UEFI to BIOS (you can typically find it under the Boot category). Keep in mind that some BIOS/UEFI versions will include the possibility of allowing both UEFI and Legacy -if possible, select that.

   

   Note: On a BIOS-powered system, make sure that you enable Legacy Support or USB Legacy Support. It can usually be found under the Advanced tab.

   

5. Save the changes and exit your UEFI/BIOS settings. Then, perform the same operation that was previously causing the “System doesn’t have any USB boot option” error and see if the issue is still occurring.

Method 3: Reset BIOS/UEFI settings to default

Some users that we’re struggling to resolve this particular error message have reported that what finally resolved the issue was resetting all BIOS/ UEFI settings to default.  As you might imagine, this step will be different depending on your computer manufacturer and the boot technology that is used.

We can’t provide you with definitive steps on how to do this, but we created two separate guides (for each boot technology) that will help you reach the right menus:

Resetting the BIOS settings to default

1. Power up your machine and start pressing your the Setup (boot) key during the bootup sequence. If you can’t find the Setup key on your screen, see if you can guess it by pressing the Esc key, the F keys (F1, F2, F4, F8, F12) or the Del key (Dell computers) repeatedly (during the initial screen) or by searching online for your dedicated setup key.
   

   

2. Once you’ve gained entry to your BIOS settings, access a setting named Setup Defaults (also found as Reset to Default, Factory Default or Setup Default). Then, choose Load Setup Defaults and follow the on-screen prompts to confirm and save the current configuration.

   

   Note: On most popular BIOS versions, you can load the default BIOS configuration by pressing F9 and then Enter.

3. Save the changes and exit.
4. Repeat the steps that we’re previously triggering the “System doesn’t have any USB boot option” error and see if the issue is still occurring.

Resetting the UEFI settings to default

1. Press Windows key +  R to open up a Run dialog box. Then, type “ms-settings:recovery” and press Enter to open up the Recovery menu of the Settings app.

   

2. In the Recovery window, click the Restart now button under Advanced startup.

   

3. Once your computer restarts into the Advanced Options menu, go to Troubleshoot > Advanced Options and click on UEFI/BIOS Firmware Settings.

   

4. Then, click the Restart button to change the UEFI firmware settings. Your computer will then restart directly into the UEFI/BIOS Setup.

   

5. Once you reach your UEFI settings, access the Settings menu and search for an option named Restore Defaults (or similar). Then, complete the operation and save the changes before you exit the UEFI settings.

   

6. At the next system startup, recreate the operation that was previously triggering the error and see if the same issue is still occurring.

If you’re still encountering this particular error message, move down to the next method below.

Method 4: Disabling the Lenovo Service Engine (Lenovo computers only)

On Lenovo computers the “System doesn’t have any USB boot option” error can also be caused be caused by a  proprietary utility called Lenovo Service Engine (LSE). This utility is only present on certain Lenovo desktop systems and is used to send non-personally identifiable data to a Lenovo server when the system is first connected to the Internet.

Although it seems like a harmless system, a lot of users are reporting that the service will end up causing this particular error if left enabled. Fortunately, disabling the service is quite easy on all Lenovo models that include it.

Here’s what you need to do:

1. Press F1 while the system is booting up (at the initial booting sequence) to access the BIOS settings of your computer.
2. Once you’ve reached the BIOS settings of your Lenovo computer, use the arrow keys to select the Security tab. Then, move down to Lenovo Service Engine and set the service to Disabled.
   

   

3. Save the current BIOS configuration, then exit your BIOS settings.
4. At the next computer startup, recreate the same operation that was previously triggering the “System doesn’t have any USB boot option” error and see if the issue has been resolved.

Method 5: Create a Correct USB bootable drive

Another possible reason why you might end up seeing the “System doesn’t have any USB boot option” error is that the installation media that you’re using is not bootable or was not created to be compatible with your BIOS/UEFI settings.

If you’ve come this far without results follow one of the articles features below to recreate the USB bootable drive with the recommended instructions:

• Creating a bootable USB using Rufus Windows 7
• Creating a bootable USB using Rufus Windows 10