How to Fix the “Remove Disks or Other Media, Press Any Key to Restart” Error on Startup

The “Remove disks or other media, press any key to restart” error often appears when your computer’s BIOS is unable to detect the proper boot drive or device. This issue can arise due to a variety of reasons, such as incorrect boot order, connected removable devices, or corrupted system files. In this guide, we’ll explore the main causes of this error and outline steps to resolve it.

What Causes the “Remove Disks or Other Media, Press Any Key to Restart” Error?

This error typically occurs when the system can't find a suitable boot device. Common causes include:

  • Connected removable devices like USB drives or external hard drives that the system attempts to use as the boot device.
  • Hard drive or SSD failure on the drive containing the operating system.
  • Incorrect boot order in BIOS/UEFI, where the primary drive is not set as the first option.
  • System file issues or a corrupted boot record.

How to Fix the “Remove Disks or Other Media, Press Any Key to Restart” Error

Here are some solutions that can help resolve the issue:

1. Check Connected Devices

Ensure that no unnecessary devices, such as USB drives, external hard disks, or memory cards, are connected to your computer. These can interfere with the OS boot process. Disconnect them and restart your computer.

2. Check the Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI

Access your computer’s BIOS or UEFI settings as follows:

  1. Restart the computer and press the BIOS entry key (usually F2, Delete, or Esc, depending on your computer model).
  2. Locate the Boot Order or Boot Priority section.
  3. Make sure that the hard drive with the operating system is set as the first boot device.
  4. Save changes and restart the computer.

3. Check the Hard Drive for Errors

If the issue persists, the hard drive may have encountered errors. If possible, connect it to another computer to check for issues. You can also use utilities like chkdsk in Windows to try and repair errors.

4. Repair the Boot Record

A corrupted boot record can also cause this error. If you have a bootable disk or USB with Windows installation files, follow these steps:

  1. Connect the bootable media and restart your computer.
  2. Select the System Recovery option.
  3. Open Command Prompt and enter the following commands: 
    bootrec /fixmbr
    bootrec /fixboot
    bootrec /rebuildbcd
  4. Restart your computer after completing these steps.

5. Reinstall the Operating System

If none of the above solutions work, reinstalling the operating system may be necessary. This should be a last resort if the system or boot record is heavily corrupted.