Resolved - Windows fails to boot after installing new SSD

Updated by

Sherly 

Last updated on April 22, 2024

Did you upgrade your computer's storage from HDD to SSD but can't boot after installing the SSD? You're not alone – this is what some users reported on public forums:

Another user has encountered the same problem: “I recently purchased a Crucial P3 SSD M.3 NVMe (1TB) to play Baldur's Gate 3. Yesterday I tried to install it, but every time I boot up, the screen gets stuck on a black screen with a white static line on the top left corner. The issue is that after installing this SSD, I can't even enter BIOS (whereas without an M.2 device installed, there's no problem). I have no idea what's happening.”

You're not alone with this issue, and it's more common than you might think. If you've run into the same problem—your Windows PC won't boot after installing a new SSD—then

Read on, and we'll show you how to fix it!

Fix Windows Not Booting After Installing a New SSD

If the methods above don't work, we highly recommend you use Partition Master Professional with its Boot Repair feature. This feature can fix all boot issues on an SSD or HDD and get Windows to boot successfully.

Step 1: Connect the external hard drive/USB to the computer and launch AOMEI Partition Assistant. Click "Make Bootable Media" > "Create Bootable USB/DVD".

Create Bootable Disk of Partition Master Tool

Step 2: Choose the available USB drive or CD/DVD, then click Create. You can also burn the Windows ISO file to the media.

Step 3. Connect the bootable drive to the new computer and press F2 or Del to enter BIOS. Set the WinPE bootable drive as the boot disk, then press F10 to exit.

Step 4. Restart your computer and enter the WinPE environment. Launch the “Partition Master” tool, and click on “Boot Repair” under “Toolbox”.

Step 5: Select the system you want to repair, then click on "Repair".

Click on the "Recommended repair" button.

Step 6: Wait for a while. You will receive a notification that the repair was successful. Click "OK" to finish the startup repair.

With the enhanced algorithm, AOMEI Partition Assistant can detect various types of boot issues and fix all of them within minutes. This allows users like you to easily solve problems and successfully boot Windows.

Solutions - Windows Won't Boot After Installing New SSD

We have six solutions for readers to try and fix an SSD that won't boot Windows after installation.

Solution 1: Check the compatibility between the motherboard and the SSD

The motherboard is one of the most crucial hardware components in a PC. It's where you install other PC components like the CPU, GPU, and RAM to ensure your computer runs smoothly and optimally. However, not all components are compatible with your PC's motherboard, and the same might be true for your SSD. Maybe your SSD is incompatible with your motherboard.

However, you can check for compatibility as follows:

Step 1: Remove the motherboard from the computer.

Step 2: Find the name, model number, and serial number of the motherboard.

Step 3: Visit the website of your motherboard's manufacturer, and find your specific motherboard model.

Step 4. Check the technical specifications to make sure it supports your type of SSD.

Step five, we have an M.2 SSD, and my motherboard supports that.

By sharing these workarounds, we can help more users who encounter the same boot error.

Fix 2: Change the Boot Order

One reason why Windows might not boot after installing a new SSD is that you didn't change the boot order to make the SSD the primary boot device.

Here is how it could work:

Step 1: Restart your computer.

Step 2. Press the BIOS key before clicking the “Start” icon. You should see a key to press to enter the BIOS displayed on-screen when your computer boots up.

Step 3. Select the “Boot” menu, and then choose “Hard Disk.”

Step 4: Set the SSD as the primary boot device.

Step 5. Press the F10 key or your system's designated Boot Menu key to save the settings and exit the BIOS window.

Your Windows PC should now successfully boot from your new SSD!

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Fix 3: Update the BIOS

Your computer's BIOS is an essential part of its operating system. It ensures your computer boots up correctly and loads Windows without issues. An outdated or damaged BIOS could prevent Windows from booting from your SSD.

Here's how to update the BIOS:

On another computer, visit your motherboard manufacturer's website and download the latest BIOS update.

Step 2. Unzip the ZIP file.

Step 3. Copy the extracted files to your USB drive.

Step 4: Plug the USB drive into a PC that won't boot Windows from the new SSD.

Step 5. Restart your computer and press the key to enter the BIOS menu.

Step 6. Select the USB drive as the primary boot device from the Boot menu.

Step 7. Save the BIOS settings and exit.

Step 8. Run the BIOS file from the USB drive to begin the update process.

How to Fix PC Won't Boot After Installing M.2 SSD - Full Guide

How to solve the issue of PC won't boot after installing M.2 SSD? Why won't my computer turn on after installing a new SSD? All details you want to know are covered in this article.

4. Reinstall the new SSD properly

It's possible that the SSD wasn't installed correctly initially. Depending on the type of SSD you have, such as M.2 SATA, M.2 NVMe, PCIe SSD, or one of several other types, if it's a new kind of SSD you haven't installed before, the installation might have been incorrect. Here's a general procedure for installation:

Check the connections. Make sure your new SSD is properly connected to your laptop. If it's an internal SSD, confirm that it's seated correctly and that the data cable is connected. If it's an external SSD, make sure the USB cable or other cable is plugged in correctly.

Please reinstall the SSD correctly, as per the manufacturer's instructions, to fix the SSD you're attempting to boot Windows from, and then boot successfully from it.

How to Install a Second SSD [Complete Guide]

Do you want to install a second SSD on your computer for better performance? In this article, you can find a complete guide on how to install a second SSD.

5. Test the new SSD in another laptop or PC

If you've tried all of the steps above and still can't get Windows to boot from your new SSD, try installing it in another PC to see if the problem is with the SSD.

If the problem lies with the SSD, you can return it for a replacement or have it repaired under warranty, if it's still valid.

Please share these solutions on social media to help even more people. Use the buttons below.

Conclusions

If you're buying an SSD for your computer, first make sure that your motherboard is compatible, then change the boot order. After installing it in your computer, Windows should boot successfully from the new SSD.

However, if it doesn't work on that computer as well, try testing it on another one to see if it works properly there. If it doesn't work on any other computers, then it's very likely that your SSD is damaged. You can purchase a new one as a replacement, or, if it's still under warranty, take it to the nearest service center of the manufacturer.

If this article has helped you to boot into Windows after installing a new SSD, please share it with friends who have the same problem – Windows won't start after they've replaced their hard drive with an SSD.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Windows Boot Issues After Installing a New SSD

Regarding the issue of Windows not booting after installing a new SSD, do you have any further questions? Here, we will address some related concerns.

1. Why can't Windows start after installing a new SSD?

There could be several reasons for this issue, but here are a few possibilities:

• The SSD might not be connected properly to the motherboard.
• The boot order in BIOS might be incorrect.
• The SSD might be damaged or faulty.
• Data corruption.
• The SATA mode setting might be incorrect.
• Your computer's BIOS might be incompatible with the new SSD.
• And so on!

2. How do I boot my computer after installing a new SSD?

After installing the new SSD on your computer, you'll need to change the boot order in the BIOS. Here's how to do it:

1. Restart your computer and enter the BIOS menu.
2. Navigate to the "Boot" section.
3. In the "Boot Priority Order" section, set your new SSD as the first boot device.
4. Save your settings and exit.

3. Why Can't I Install Windows 10 on a New SSD?

Usually, Windows 10 should install seamlessly on an SSD. If you can't get it to install on your new SSD, though, the issue might be one of these:

• The SSD is incorrectly formatted.
• The SSD has issues.
• The BIOS has issues.
• The SSD is incompatible with your computer.
• The Windows 10 installation media is corrupted.