The method to access BIOS varies from motherboard to motherboard, what is the make and model number of your PC or motherboard.
Cannot access BIOS/UEFI settings. No Keyboard driver in Pre boot environment
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Ned McNally
0
Reputation points
I'm attempting to access my BIOS/UEFI settings and cannot get windows to get out of the way and let me access my own hardware.
I've tried multiple keyboards, USB ports, and even pulling the OS drive.
advanced restart boot loops as I have no keyboard input
windows 11 25H2 build 26200.8328
Windows for home | Windows 11 | Devices and drivers
2 answers
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DaveM121 881.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor2026-05-05T05:35:10.08+00:00 -
Ned McNally 0 Reputation points
2026-05-05T05:56:23.8966667+00:00 asrock b550, bios version AMI p2.40
it shows press f2 for bios f11 for boot menu but doesn't respect my commands -
DaveM121 881.8K Reputation points Independent Advisor
2026-05-05T06:06:31.7033333+00:00 If pressing the F2 key is not working, try pressing Fn + F2 if you have an FN key on your keyboard, or try repeatedly pressing the Del key on your keyboard.
If you still cannot access BIOS, then go to the support page for your motherboard to find the steps to reset/clear CMOS, you should then be able to boot into BIOS successfully.
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Ned McNally 0 Reputation points
2026-05-05T06:11:40.2966667+00:00 I do have a fn keyboard for my main, I tried 2 others that do not have fn keys. I will try the CMOS reset. Thank you
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AI answer
2026-05-05T02:36:49.64+00:00 On Windows 11, the firmware (BIOS/UEFI) is accessed before Windows loads or via Advanced startup; no Windows keyboard driver is required in the firmware menus themselves.
Use one of these supported methods:
- From Windows (recommended)
- Open Settings > System > Recovery.
- Under Recovery options, next to Advanced startup, select Restart now.
- After restart into the Windows Recovery Environment, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings > Restart.
- The PC restarts again and opens the UEFI/BIOS utility.
- Using the firmware hotkey at power‑on
- Fully shut down the PC.
- Power it on and immediately press the manufacturer’s firmware key repeatedly (common keys: Esc, Delete, F1, F2, F10, F11, F12; on tablets often Volume Up or Volume Down).
- This opens the firmware menus directly, before Windows starts.
- On Surface devices specifically
- Shut down the Surface.
- Press and hold Volume Up, then press and release the Power button.
- When the Surface logo appears, release Volume Up. The BIOS/UEFI menu appears after a few seconds.
If the keyboard does not work in WinRE (Advanced startup) on build 26200.8328, that is a known class of issues that has been fixed in later 26220 builds for USB keyboard/mouse in WinRE. In that case, use the direct firmware hotkey at power‑on (method 2) to bypass WinRE entirely.
Once in the firmware, keyboard support is provided by the firmware itself, not by Windows drivers, so the keyboard should work there even if there are issues inside Windows.
References:
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