Fix: Computer Won't Boot from CD or DVD in Windows 10 (4 Ways)

Scenario: Windows 10 computer cannot boot from CD

You may need to boot from a CD/DVD when reinstalling Windows 10 or running automatic Windows repair tools, but sometimes Windows won't boot from CD/DVD, causing inconvenience.

In this post, I'll introduce 4 commonly used ways to fix it.

How to fix computer won't boot from CD or DVD in Windows 10

A bootable CD/DVD is a special disc that contains a bootable operating system, allowing you to run your computer with a small OS installed on the disc. If booting from the disc fails, you can troubleshoot both the disc and computer settings.

Here are some suggestions to fix the issue where a computer won't boot from a CD/DVD in Windows 10: Check the BIOS settings to ensure the CD/DVD drive is set as the first boot device, try booting from a different CD/DVD drive, check for any physical issues with the CD/DVD drive, and ensure the CD/DVD is properly inserted and closed. Additionally, try booting from a USB drive or a different operating system to rule out any issues with the current installation.

• 1. Make sure your PC is powered on
• 2. Recheck the boot order in BIOS
• 3. Clean the dusty disc
• 4. Burn a new CD/DVD

Method 1. Make sure your PC is powered on

In that case, you can try to boot from a USB drive. You can create a bootable USB drive using a tool like Rufus or a Linux distribution like Ubuntu. This will allow you to access your PC's BIOS settings and potentially repair or reinstall your operating system.

Check if the power is connected properly and the power plug is usable.

Ensure your desktop's power button is switched on and the power supply at the back of its case is set to the On position.

If it still doesn't power on at all, there are chances that a power cable is disconnected in its cabinet.

Method 2. Recheck the boot order in BIOS

This error is often caused by the BIOS not being configured correctly, specifically the CD/DVD drive not being set as the first priority.

To enter the BIOS, press a specific key during startup, which can be F2, F10, F12, or others, and can be searched online. Once in the BIOS, navigate to the boot priority settings and set the CD drive as the first boot device. This will allow the system to prioritize booting from the CD drive over the internal hard drive.

Finally, don't forget to save the changes before you exit.

Method 3. Clean the dusty disc

You probably haven't used the installation CD or DVD since you installed the new computer. The disc, which has been placed aside for a considerable period of time, is now old and covered with dust.

Try cleaning it carefully with a soft, lint-free cloth.

Method 4. Burn a new CD/DVD

To ensure a valid bootable CD, you should burn the ISO file to disc using a reliable method, such as using a CD burning software or a USB drive, rather than burning it yourself, which may result in errors.

If none of the above methods work, it may be necessary to create a bootable media on a different computer, as the issue could be with the original computer's hardware or operating system. This involves creating a new bootable CD or USB drive using a different computer and then attempting to boot from it.

Qiling Disk Master Professional is a reliable tool that can create a bootable media like CD, DVD, and USB, and is compatible with various Windows versions, including Windows 11, 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP.

✎Note:
◆ To create a bootable CD/DVD, you'll need to use a CD-burning program. This software allows you to burn the bootable data onto a blank CD or DVD, making it ready for use.
◆ Please insert the corresponding media into the computer at first.

1. Download Qiling Disk Master Professional, install and launch it on a well-functioning Windows computer, then click "Create Bootable Media" under the "Tools" tab.

• Free Download
• Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, 100% Secure

2. To burn the ISO file to a CD/DVD, click on the Burn To CD/DVD option, and then click Proceed to complete the process.

3. Wait for the process to complete and click Finish when it reaches 100% completion.

4. Insert the bootable CD into the computer, press the required key (usually Esc, F2, F10, etc.) to enter the BIOS settings, select the CD as the boot device, and press Enter to initiate the boot process from the CD.

How to restore Windows 10 with bootable media?

Qiling Disk Master is a professional backup and restore software that allows you to create a system image and restore it to another computer with the Universal Restore feature, which can also perform system restore after booting from a CD/DVD.

Steps to restore Windows 10 via bootable media:

1. Open Qiling Disk Master, click System Backup to create a system image on a well-functioning Windows computer, and back it up to an external hard drive or network for later use.

2. To boot your computer from the CD/DVD created by Qiling Disk Master, insert the CD/DVD and let the computer automatically launch the software interface. Then, navigate to the "Restore" menu and select "Select Image File" to choose the system backup image you created previously.

3. Select Restore the system backup, then click Next.

4. Choose the partition where you want to install the operating system, and then click Next.

5. Confirm the operations, tick Universal Restore and click Proceed to start the operation. When the progress is done, click Finish to exit.

Conclusion

If your computer won't boot from a CD in Windows 10, try these troubleshooting steps. If that doesn't work, you can use Qiling Disk Master to create a bootable CD as a last resort. This software can also be used to backup and restore your Windows system, making it easier to solve system problems without reinstalling.

You can use Qiling Disk Master to PXE boot multiple computers simultaneously, which is useful for companies or repair shops, and there's also a server edition available.

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