A partition on a hard disk that is used for booting the computer and contains the Operating system files is known as Active Partition. There can only be one Active partition in any given computer.
If there is any problem with the active partition, the computer will not boot and you cannot access any data that is present within. Hence, “Active partition not found! Press any key…” error clearly indicates that there is some issue with your bootable partition.
This error can be solved quickly with the help of BIOS. Follow this informative write-up attentively and learn how to fix active partition not found errors.
Why Does the Message “Active Partition not Found press any key” Error Pop-up?
You will face active partition not found error when there is a change or damage in the following attributes of your computer. Detailed explanation will be given below.
- Active Partition is Inactive:
If you have made any recent changes related to the partition table or partition resizing, you might have accidentally disabled the active partition which contains your Operating System files. Hence, enabling active partition is needed to boot your computer and solve the active partition not found error. - MBR is Damaged:
Master Boot Record (MBR) is a crucial sector which is needed while your computer is being booted. This is where the information about where to access the Windows is stored. Hence, if your MBR is damaged or inaccessible, you will face active partition not found error. - BIOS is Undetectable:
If the Windows computer cannot detect the BIOS settings, it cannot access the active partition and turns your Windows computer inaccessible. Hence, active partition is not found occurs. - Improper BIOS Settings:
If you have improperly modified any settings within BIOS while trying to troubleshoot any system issue, an active partition not found error occurs. If this is the case, you can quickly reset your BIOS setting to fix the active partition not found error. - Windows System Files are Corrupted:
If your system files are invalid, inaccessible, or corrupt, your active partition will not be able to access the system files and lead to active partition not found error. - Incorrect Boot Option Priority:
If you have accidentally changed your priority booting partition to any other partition, the BIOS will not be able to find the required files. Hence, active partition not found error occurs.
How to Fix Active Partition Not Found Error?
Several methods can be tried to solve the active partition not found error. Follow the troubleshooting methods below to fix your active partition not found error.
- Check If the Primary Partition is Detected By BIOS
If your primary partition is shown as “Not Detected or None” in BIOS settings, quickly change those settings by following the steps given below:
Step 1: Restart your computer and press a specific key according to the laptop manufacturer to enter BIOS.
Note: The specific key could be Esc, Del, F2, F8, F10 or F12.
Step 2: Go to the Advanced tab and find if Not Detected is mentioned in Primary IDE Master, Primary IDE Slave, Secondary IDE Master and Secondary IDE Slave as shown in the image below.
Step 3: If you can change these settings, change them to Auto and restart your computer.
Your active partition not found error should be fixed if the primary partition was undetected previously. In all other cases please go through the following sections.
- Reset Your BIOS Settings
You can quickly reset your BIOS settings to default to fix the active partition not found error. Follow the steps mentioned below to reset the BIOS settings.
NOTE: While trying to reset BIOS make sure that your desktop or laptop is connected to a stable power supply.
Step 1: Restart your computer and enter BIOS Setup Utility using the specific key.
Step 2: Toggle to Exit tab and select Load Optimal Defaults as shown in the image below.
Step 3: Press F10 to save the changes and restart your computer. This will reset the defaults in BIOS and helps in detecting the active partition.
- Fix Active Partition Not Found Error Using Startup Repair
If you have your Windows 10 installation media CD or drive, then you can perform a startup repair. This will replace the missing or corrupt files to fix the active partition not found error. Insert the Windows 10 installation media and follow the steps mentioned below.
Step 1: Set the current time, your keyboard type and click on Next.
Step 2: Click on Repair your computer and select Troubleshooting.
Step 3: Click on Startup Repair as shown in the image below and wait for the process to fix the errors present within the system.
- Activate Your System Partition If Disabled
If you have accidentally disabled your system partition while trying to fix any other errors using Diskpart, re-enable it with the help of the Windows 10 installation media. Access Command Prompt and use Diskpart utility to fix the active partition not found error. Follow the steps mentioned-below to know how.
Step 1: Open the Windows 10 media kit, click on Repair your computer > Troubleshoot and open Command Prompt utility
Step 2: Type diskpart and hit enter.
Step 3: Type list disk and hit enter.
Step 4: Type select disk 0 (replace 0 with whatever your computer’s primary hard disk is numbered).
Step 5: Type list partition and hit enter.
Step 6: Type select partition 1 (replace 1 with the number assigned for your system files partition).
Step 7: Type active and hit enter.
the Diskpart utility and restart your computer in normal mode. Your computer should be fixed and you must have solved the active partition not found error.
Quick-Tip:
If you are still facing “Active partition not found! Press any key…” error despite trying all the above methods, try restoring your Windows 10 computer to factory settings with the media kit and the error will be surely fixed.
However, if your priority is the data that was present within the inaccessible computer, remove the hard disk from the affected computer and connect it with a SATA case to another computer. You can make use of this professional partition recovery software called CAT Data Recovery software to recover data from that hard disk. Read the next section to know more.
How to Recover Data After Facing Active Partition Not Found Error?
Step 1: Download, install and launch CAT Data recovery software.
Step 2: Click on Recover Partitions, select your partitions from the Storage Devices and then hit on Scan.
Step 3: Wait for the software to scan and display the files that can be recovered from the restored computer.
Step 4: Once the data has been recovered from the affected Windows 10 computer, save the data to any of your desired locations and on the external storage device as a backup.
Conclusion
I hope that this article was able to help you fix the active partition not found error with the help of BIOS Setup Utility or Command Prompt. You may also fix the error by restoring your Windows 10 computer to factory settings. If you have any feedback or queries, please feel free to reach out to me.
Frequently Asked Questions
The factors that could cause an Active Partition Not Found Error are listed below-
Active partition has been disabled
1. Damaged MBR
2. BIOS not recognized by the system
3. Conflicting BIOS settings
4. Incorrect Boot Option Priority
You can repair the Active Partition Not Found Error by trying out the troubleshooting options below-
1. Check If the Primary Partition is Detected By BIOS
2. Reset Your BIOS Settings
3. Fix Active Partition Not Found Error Using Startup Repair
4. Activate Your System Partition If Disabled
An Active partition not found error means that your Windows system is unable to locate your active partition. This will prevent your operating system from booting up and as a result, you won’t be able to start or use your computer.
