Sometimes when you turn on your computer or laptop, you might see this error:
“Remove disk or other media. Press any key to restart.”
This issue usually appears when Windows cannot find the correct drive to boot the system. Don’t worry — in this guide, I’ll explain why this happens and how to fix it step by step.
✅ Why Does “Remove Disk or Other Media” Error Happen?
This error generally occurs due to:
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A USB drive, CD, or DVD left connected while booting.
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Wrong boot order in BIOS/UEFI.
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Corrupted system files or damaged boot sector.
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Hard drive not detected properly.
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Loose SATA/Power cable connection inside the PC.
🛠️ Step-by-Step Methods to Fix the Error
🔹 Method 1: Remove External Devices
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Shut down your PC.
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Disconnect all USB drives, CDs/DVDs, and external HDDs.
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Restart the system and check if Windows loads properly.
🔹 Method 2: Change Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI
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Restart your PC and press the required key (F2, F10, DEL, ESC) to enter BIOS/UEFI.
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Go to Boot Settings.
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Set your Hard Drive/SSD with Windows as the first boot device.
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Save changes and restart.
🔹 Method 3: Check Hard Drive Connection
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If you are using a desktop PC, open the cabinet.
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Ensure the SATA and Power cables are properly connected to the hard drive/SSD.
🔹 Method 4: Repair Boot Sector (Using Windows Recovery)
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Insert a Windows Installation USB/DVD and boot from it.
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Select Repair your computer.
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Go to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Command Prompt.
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Type the following commands one by one:
bootrec /fixmbr bootrec /fixboot bootrec /scanos bootrec /rebuildbcd -
Restart your PC.
🔹 Method 5: Run Automatic Startup Repair
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Boot from Windows Installation USB/DVD.
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Choose Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Startup Repair.
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Follow the on-screen instructions.
🔹 Method 6: Replace Faulty Hard Drive
If none of the above solutions work, your hard drive may be damaged. In that case, consider replacing it with a new SSD/HDD and reinstalling Windows.
🧹 Pro Tips to Prevent Boot Errors
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Always remove USBs and CDs/DVDs before restarting.
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Keep your BIOS boot order properly configured.
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Use an SSD for faster and reliable boot.
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Regularly scan and repair disk errors with tools like
chkdsk.
❓ FAQs about “Remove Disk or Other Media” Error
Q1: Why does my PC say “Remove disk or other media”?
👉 Because your system is trying to boot from a non-bootable device (like a USB or DVD) instead of the main hard drive.
Q2: Can BIOS settings cause this error?
👉 Yes, if the boot order is set incorrectly, your system won’t detect the right drive.
Q3: Will reinstalling Windows fix the error?
👉 If the issue is caused by corrupted system files, reinstalling Windows will fix it.
Q4: Is my hard drive failing if I see this error?
👉 Not always. But if the error keeps coming back after fixes, your HDD/SSD may be failing.
