Press F2 or Delete during startup to open BIOS

To access BIOS on a Lenovo laptop, restart your computer and press F2 repeatedly as soon as the Lenovo logo appears on the screen. On some models, Delete works instead. You need to press the key before Windows starts loading — if you see the Windows login screen, you waited too long and will need to restart again.

The timing is tight. Start pressing F2 the moment you see any Lenovo branding or logo, and keep pressing it every half-second or so until the BIOS menu appears. Different Lenovo models have slightly different startup sequences, so if F2 does not work within a few seconds, restart and try Delete instead.

If neither key opens BIOS, your laptop may require a different method. Some newer Lenovo models use Novo Button — a small physical button on the side or bottom of the laptop that you press while the computer is off. Check your laptop's manual or the Lenovo support page for your specific model number to confirm which method applies.

Key Takeaways

  • Press F2 or Delete repeatedly as the Lenovo logo appears during startup to enter BIOS before Windows loads.
  • The timing window is only a few seconds, so you may need to restart multiple times to catch it.
  • Some Lenovo models use a physical Novo Button on the laptop body instead of a keyboard key.
  • Once in BIOS, you can check firmware versions, change boot order, or adjust hardware settings before saving and exiting.
  • Your laptop model number determines the exact method — check Lenovo's support site if the standard keys do not work.

Finding your Lenovo model number before you start

Knowing your exact model helps you find the right key or button for your laptop. You can find the model number on a sticker on the bottom of your laptop, usually near the serial number. It typically looks like "ThinkPad E15" or "IdeaPad 5 Pro" — a brand name followed by a number or letter combination.

You can also find it in Windows before you restart. Open Settings, go to System, then About. Look for "Device name" or scroll down to find "System model" — that is the number Lenovo uses in their support documentation. Write it down or take a photo so you have it ready if you need to search Lenovo's site for your specific startup key.

What happens when you enter BIOS successfully

When BIOS opens, you will see a menu with a dark background and white or blue text. The layout varies by model, but you will typically see options like Main, Advanced, Security, Boot, and Exit. Navigation uses arrow keys to move between sections and Enter to select. Do not use your mouse — BIOS runs before the operating system loads, so the trackpad will not work.

The most common reason to enter BIOS is to check or update firmware. Look for a section labeled "System Information," "Main," or "BIOS Version" to see your current firmware version. If you are there to change the boot order — for example, to boot from a USB drive — go to the Boot section and use arrow keys to move your preferred device to the top of the list.

Restarting your laptop to enter BIOS

You have two ways to restart. The quickest is to shut down completely, wait a few seconds, then press the power button. This gives you the full startup sequence and the clearest window to catch the BIOS key. The second method is to restart from Windows: click the Start menu, hold Shift, click Power, then click Restart. This also works, though some users find the timing slightly tighter.

If you are updating firmware or making changes in BIOS, always use the first method — full shutdown and restart. This ensures your laptop has completely powered down and is not in a partial sleep state, which can interfere with BIOS access or firmware updates.

If the standard keys do not work on your model

Lenovo uses different startup keys depending on the laptop line. ThinkPad models almost always use F2. IdeaPad and Yoga models often use F2 as well, but some use Delete or Fn+F2. If you have a very new model or a gaming-focused Legion laptop, check the Lenovo support page for your model number — the manual or quick-start guide will list the exact key.

Another option is to use Lenovo's Novo Button if your laptop has one. This is a small recessed button, usually on the side or bottom edge of the laptop near the power button. Press it while the laptop is completely off, and it opens a boot menu that includes BIOS access. You may need a paperclip or small tool to press it if it is recessed.

If you still cannot access BIOS after trying both methods, your laptop may have a BIOS password set, or the startup sequence may be locked by your organization if this is a work computer. Contact your IT department or Lenovo support with your model number for help.

Saving and exiting BIOS safely

When you are done in BIOS, navigate to the Exit section using arrow keys. You will see options like "Exit and Save Changes" or "Exit Without Saving." If you made changes you want to keep — like updating firmware or changing boot order — select "Exit and Save Changes." If you only looked around and made no changes, you can select "Exit Without Saving."

After you select Exit, your laptop will restart and load Windows normally. Do not turn off the power during this restart, even if it seems to take longer than usual. Firmware updates in particular can take several minutes, and interrupting them can damage your laptop.

Common BIOS settings you might adjust

The Boot section lets you change the order in which your laptop checks for an operating system. This is useful if you want to boot from a USB drive to install Windows or run a repair tool. The Security section controls features like find Boot and TPM, which affect how Windows starts and which versions of Windows your laptop can run.

The Power section controls sleep behavior and lid-close settings. The Advanced section contains hardware-level settings like CPU speed and RAM timing — most users should not change these unless you are troubleshooting a specific problem or following instructions from Lenovo support. If you are unsure what a setting does, leave it alone and exit without saving.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I miss the timing and Windows starts loading?

Restart your laptop completely and try again. You can force a restart by holding the power button for 10 seconds until the screen goes black, then press the power button once to turn it back on. Start pressing F2 as soon as you see the Lenovo logo, before any text appears below it.

Can I access BIOS from within Windows without restarting?

On some newer Lenovo models running Windows 10 or 11, you can restart into BIOS through Settings. Go to Settings, System, Recovery, and look for "Restart now" under Advanced Startup. Click it, then select Troubleshoot, Advanced Options, and UEFI Firmware Settings. This is slower than the F2 method but works if you are having trouble with timing.

Is it safe to change settings in BIOS?

It depends on the setting. Changing boot order is safe. Changing hardware settings like CPU voltage or RAM timing can damage your laptop if done incorrectly. If you are not sure what a setting does, do not change it. Write down any changes you make so you can undo them if something goes wrong.

What if BIOS is password protected?

If someone set a BIOS password on your laptop, you will be prompted to enter it when you try to access BIOS. If you do not know the password, contact Lenovo support with proof of ownership, or contact your IT department if this is a work computer. Lenovo can reset a forgotten BIOS password, but it requires verification.

Do I need to update BIOS regularly?

Lenovo releases BIOS updates to fix bugs, improve hardware compatibility, and patch security issues. Check the Lenovo support page for your model every few months to see if a newer version is available. You do not need to update when ready unless Lenovo flags it as a security fix, but staying current is a good practice.