If BIOS gets stuck at “Entering Setup,” unplug every external device except the display and a wired keyboard, then check for a bad firmware setting or missing boot drive before you reset anything. Skip the boot path, and you can lock yourself out of setup, Windows, or both. This guide walks through the checks in order.

BIOS loop triage table

Symptom Likely cause First check Next action
“Entering Setup” appears, then nothing else changes POST is waiting on a device or has stalled before setup finishes loading Disconnect every USB device except keyboard and display Retry with a wired keyboard in a rear USB port
Setup never responds to key presses Keyboard initialization failed early Use a wired USB keyboard, not wireless Move it to a rear port and power-cycle again
Board keeps returning to setup after a restart Boot order is wrong or no valid boot entry exists Check for Windows Boot Manager first Set Boot Option 1 to Windows Boot Manager or the internal drive
Boot menu shows USB and network before the SSD UEFI Boot Priority is misordered Open Boot or Boot Priority settings Move the internal SSD/HDD/NVMe above removable devices
Windows Boot Manager is missing Boot entry or EFI data may be damaged Look for the drive model and capacity in storage info Restore defaults, then check boot options again
Internal drive does not appear in firmware SATA cable, NVMe seating, or drive failure Check whether the model name and size appear anywhere in setup Reseat the drive or cable, then retest
Loop started after a settings change UEFI/Legacy, Fast Boot, Secure Boot, or SATA mode changed Think back to the last firmware edit Reset defaults or clear CMOS
System still hangs after removing devices Corrupted CMOS state Use clear CMOS or load setup defaults Save with the board’s save-and-exit key, often F10
Access fails even after a power reset Firmware recovery path is needed Check the motherboard manual for BIOS FlashBack Use the board’s recovery USB method if available
Setup appears on laptops but not on a dock Dock or hub is interfering with POST Remove the dock and all external storage Boot from the built-in keyboard and ports only

What “Entering Setup” means

What “Entering Setup” means
A monitor shows a BIOS setup screen with TPM reset instructions

This screen appears during POST, before Windows loads, while BIOS or UEFI tries to open its firmware setup environment. If it stops there, the machine is often failing to finish hardware checks, waiting on a device it cannot initialize, or holding a bad firmware state. The fastest first move is to strip the system down to power, display, and a wired keyboard.

How this differs from a normal BIOS access problem

A normal access problem is a missed key press. This problem is different because the system is already trying to open setup and does not finish. That points to boot-path trouble, not timing. If you also cannot boot Windows afterward, treat it as a boot handoff problem until proven otherwise.

What the screen usually points

Most often, the cause is one of four things: an external device blocking POST, a firmware setting that no longer matches the hardware, a missing boot drive, or a board-level fault. Less often, the firmware itself needs recovery. Start with the easiest checks first.

Likely causes

Picture a desktop with two USB drives, a wireless keyboard, and a changed SATA mode. The board may sit at setup because it is trying to initialize something that no longer matches the saved configuration. A common mistake is resetting everything before checking the boot drive and attached devices.

1) External devices and keyboard timing

USB storage, hubs, controllers, card readers, printers, and some dongles can slow or confuse early boot. Wireless keyboards may not initialize soon enough for POST. A wired keyboard in a rear USB port is the safer choice.

  1. Shut the PC down fully.
  2. Unplug all USB devices except keyboard and display.
  3. Use a wired USB keyboard in a rear port.
  4. Power on and wait for setup or boot to continue.
  5. If it still hangs, move to storage checks.

2) Boot order and missing Windows Boot Manager

If the system keeps reopening setup after POST, check Boot Option 1 and UEFI Boot Priority. Windows Boot Manager or the internal SSD/HDD/NVMe should normally be first. If the firmware only offers USB or network entries, the boot handoff is likely broken.

  1. Enter BIOS or UEFI setup.
  2. Open Boot, Boot Priority, or UEFI Boot Priority.
  3. Set Windows Boot Manager first if it appears.
  4. If it does not appear, select the internal drive entry.
  5. Save and exit with the board’s save action, often F10.

3) Storage detection failure

Check whether the SATA drive or NVMe M.2 drive appears by model name and capacity in firmware. A missing drive can come from a loose SATA cable, an unseated NVMe module, a disabled port, or a failed disk. If the drive is absent in firmware, Windows will not load from it.

  1. Open storage, NVMe, or SATA information in setup.
  2. Look for the drive model and capacity.
  3. If absent, reseat the SATA cable or NVMe drive.
  4. Try a different SATA port if your board has one.
  5. If the drive still does not appear, suspect the drive itself.

4) Bad firmware settings and corrupted CMOS state

Recent changes to UEFI/Legacy mode, Fast Boot, Secure Boot, or SATA mode can sometimes trigger repeated setup failure. A CMOS reset restores firmware defaults and does not delete personal files. Use it after a settings change, or when the board keeps landing in the same frozen state.

  1. Enter setup if possible.
  2. Choose Load Optimized Defaults or the equivalent default option.
  3. Check boot mode, Secure Boot, and SATA mode.
  4. Save changes and reboot.
  5. If the system still loops, clear CMOS using the board’s method.

5) Board recovery limits

Some systems need a recovery path when normal setup access fails. CMOS battery removal can help on models that support it. On boards with BIOS FlashBack or an equivalent feature, you can update or recover firmware without entering setup. A bad BIOS flash can brick a system, so use the board’s exact process.

  1. Check the motherboard or system manual for CMOS and recovery options.
  2. If supported, clear CMOS again or remove the coin battery briefly.
  3. Look for a BIOS FlashBack USB port and button.
  4. Use the exact file and USB format your board requires.
  5. If storage and memory checks fail, stop and seek service.

How to enter bios after startup

If Windows still boots on another machine or after a temporary fix, you can enter UEFI from Windows instead of chasing timing at startup. The exact path varies, but the goal is the same: restart into firmware setup. This is a fallback, not the main fix for a setup freeze.

  1. Open Settings.
  2. Go to System > Recovery.
  3. Under Advanced startup, select Restart now.
  4. Choose Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.
  5. Select Restart.

How to enter bios on restart

On many systems, the setup key is Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc, and the exact key depends on the model. wikiHow lists ASUS as using F2 or Del, Dell as using F2 or F12, MSI as using Del, and Microsoft Surface Tablets as using the volume-up button. Timing matters, but the freeze itself matters more. (Wikihow)

  1. Shut the PC down completely.
  2. Press the setup key repeatedly as power returns.
  3. Use the model’s documented key if known.
  4. If the keyboard is wireless, switch to a wired one.
  5. If setup still freezes, return to the triage steps above.

Should you reset BIOS defaults if you're stuck in setup?

Yes, but only after checking external devices and storage. Defaults are the right next move when the problem began after a firmware change or when the machine keeps reopening setup without reaching a boot device. StoredBits notes that resetting BIOS to defaults does not delete personal files.

  1. Open the Exit or Save & Exit menu.
  2. Choose Load Setup Defaults, Load Optimized Defaults, or similar.
  3. Check UEFI/Legacy, Fast Boot, Secure Boot, and SATA mode.
  4. Save and reboot.
  5. If the same freeze returns, clear CMOS or use recovery.

Keep reading

Frequently asked questions

What key do I press to get into BIOS?

Common setup keys are Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc, but the exact key depends on the system. Some ASUS models use F2 or Del, Dell often uses F2 or F12, and many MSI boards use Del. If Windows still boots, the UEFI Firmware Settings path in Recovery is a reliable fallback.

How do I fix a BIOS screen that never loads Windows?

Check Boot Option 1 first. Windows Boot Manager or the internal drive should normally appear there. If not, confirm the drive is detected by name and capacity, then restore defaults and save with F10 or the board’s equivalent. If the drive is missing, reseat the cable or NVMe module.

Can a USB device keep BIOS from loading?

Yes. External storage, hubs, printers, and some dongles can interfere with POST or delay setup loading. Disconnect everything except the display and a wired keyboard, then boot again. If the system starts normally after that, reconnect devices one at a time until the problem returns.

What if my keyboard won’t work in BIOS?

Use a wired USB keyboard first. Wireless models may not initialize early enough for POST, and front-panel ports can be less reliable on some desktops. Try a rear USB port, then power-cycle the system. If the keyboard still fails, test another wired keyboard before assuming a firmware fault.

How do I tell if my boot drive is missing in BIOS?

Open storage or system information and look for the drive model and capacity. A healthy SATA, SSD, or NVMe drive should show up there, even if Windows will not boot. If the drive is absent, reseat it or its cable. If it still does not appear, suspect the drive or the port.

What if the board has BIOS FlashBack?

Use the board’s documented recovery method if setup will not open at all. Tom’s Hardware has shown a case fixed with USB BIOS FlashBack, which can update firmware without entering setup. Follow the exact USB port, file name, and button sequence in your manual. Do not guess at the process.