How to Enter BIOS on Your PC

What BIOS is and why you might need to enter it

BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is firmware that runs before your operating system loads. It controls hardware settings like boot order, fan speed, and RAM detection. Most people never need to enter BIOS, but you may need to if you're troubleshooting hardware problems, changing which drive your PC boots from, or updating BIOS itself.

The process is straightforward: restart your PC and press a specific key during startup before Windows or your other operating system loads. The key varies by manufacturer, and timing matters—you have only a few seconds to press it.

Key Takeaways

You enter BIOS by restarting your PC and pressing a specific key (usually Delete, F2, F10, or F12) during the startup sequence, before the operating system loads.
The correct key depends on your PC's manufacturer: Dell often uses F2, HP and Lenovo often use F10 or F2, ASUS often uses Delete, and Acer often uses Delete or F2.
If you miss the window, restart and try again—there is no penalty for failed attempts, and you can try multiple times.
Once inside BIOS, use arrow keys to navigate and Enter to select; the interface varies by manufacturer but the basic controls are the same.
If you change settings you do not understand, use the "Exit Without Saving" option to leave without making changes permanent.

Finding your PC manufacturer and the correct BIOS key

The key you need depends on who made your PC. If you built it yourself or bought a custom build, the key depends on the motherboard manufacturer, not the case builder. Check your motherboard manual if you have it, or look up the motherboard model online.

For pre-built PCs from major manufacturers, the most common keys are:

Dell: F2 (press during startup, before the Dell logo disappears)
HP: F10 or Esc during startup
Lenovo: F2 or F10 during startup
ASUS: Delete or F2 during startup
Acer: Delete or F2 during startup
MSI (custom builds): Delete during startup
Gigabyte (custom builds): Delete during startup

If you are unsure, restart your PC and watch the first screen carefully. Many manufacturers display a message like "Press F2 to enter Setup" or "Press Delete to enter BIOS" during the boot sequence. That message tells you the correct key.

Step-by-step: entering BIOS on your PC

Start by shutting down your PC completely. Do not use sleep or hibernation—use a full shutdown.

Turn the PC back on. As soon as the screen lights up, begin pressing your BIOS key repeatedly (about once per second). Do not wait for the Windows logo or any operating system screen. You are aiming for the moment between power-on and the operating system starting to load.

If you see the BIOS screen (usually a blue or dark background with white text and menu options), you have succeeded. If Windows starts loading instead, you missed the window. Restart and try again. There is no harm in multiple attempts.

Once inside BIOS, use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate between menu items. Press Enter to select an option or open a submenu. The Esc key usually takes you back one level. Look for an "Exit" or "Save and Exit" option when you are done making changes.

What to do if you cannot find the BIOS key

If the startup screen does not display a BIOS key prompt and you do not know your PC's manufacturer, try the most common keys in order: Delete, F2, F10, F12. Restart your PC and press each one during startup until one works.

If none of those work, look up your motherboard model. You can find this by opening Device Manager in Windows (right-click the Start button and select Device Manager), expanding "System devices," and looking for an entry that includes the motherboard name. Search that name plus "BIOS key" online.

For laptops, the process is the same, but the key is often different from desktops made by the same company. Check your laptop's manual or the manufacturer's support website for the specific model.

Understanding the BIOS menu and common settings

BIOS menus vary by manufacturer, but most follow a similar structure. You will usually see tabs or menu items like "Main," "Advanced," "Boot," "Security," and "Exit." The "Main" tab typically shows your hardware (CPU, RAM, storage drives) and system time. The "Boot" tab controls which drive your PC starts from. The "Advanced" tab contains settings most users should not change.

Do not change settings unless you know what they do. If you open a submenu and see unfamiliar options, press Esc to go back without saving. BIOS changes can prevent your PC from starting if set incorrectly, so only modify what you came to change.

Common reasons to enter BIOS include changing boot order (so your PC starts from a USB drive or different hard drive), checking that all your RAM is recognized, or updating BIOS itself. If you are unsure why you are in BIOS, exit without saving and research the specific problem you are trying to solve first.

Saving changes and exiting BIOS safely

When you are finished making changes, look for an "Exit" menu at the top or bottom of the BIOS screen. You will usually see two options: "Exit and Save Changes" and "Exit Without Saving." Choose the one that matches what you want to do.

If you chose "Exit and Save Changes," BIOS will ask you to confirm. Press Enter or Y to confirm. Your PC will restart and load Windows with the new settings applied.

If you made a mistake or changed something you did not mean to, choose "Exit Without Saving" instead. Your PC will restart with no changes made. You can enter BIOS again and try a different approach.

When to call a professional

If you enter BIOS and see a message that your hard drive is not detected, or if your PC will not start after you changed BIOS settings, you may need help. Restart your PC, enter BIOS again, and look for a "Reset to Defaults" or "Load Optimized Defaults" option. This will undo all your changes and usually restore normal operation.

If resetting to defaults does not work, or if you are not comfortable making changes to BIOS, contact your PC manufacturer's support line or a local computer repair shop. Do not guess at BIOS settings if you are unsure—it is easier to get help than to fix a PC that will not start.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I press the wrong key during startup?

Nothing. If you press a key that is not the BIOS key, your PC straightforward continues booting normally. Restart and try the correct key. There is no penalty for pressing the wrong key.

Can I enter BIOS from Windows without restarting?

On newer Windows 11 PCs, you can sometimes restart into BIOS from the Settings app (Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced Startup > Restart Now > Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > UEFI Firmware Settings). On older PCs or Windows 10, restarting and pressing the BIOS key during startup is the most reliable method.

Is it safe to change BIOS settings?

Changing some settings is safe; changing others can prevent your PC from starting. Only modify settings you understand. If you make a mistake, use "Exit Without Saving" or reset BIOS to defaults. Do not change settings in the "Advanced" tab unless you know what they do.

Why does my BIOS key not work on my laptop?

Laptop BIOS keys are often different from desktop keys made by the same company. Some laptops require you to hold Fn while pressing the BIOS key. Check your laptop's manual or the manufacturer's website for the exact key and timing.

Can I update BIOS from inside BIOS?

Some manufacturers allow BIOS updates from within BIOS itself, usually under a "Tools" or "Utilities" menu. Others require you to create a bootable USB drive with the update file and boot from it. Check your PC manufacturer's support website for the correct method for your model.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.