The fastest way to enter BIOS depends on your computer's manufacturer

To access BIOS, you restart your computer and press a specific key during the startup sequence — before Windows or macOS loads. The key varies by manufacturer: Dell computers usually need F2, HP and Lenovo typically use F10 or Del, and Asus machines often respond to Del or F2. If you built your own PC, the key depends on your motherboard manufacturer, which is usually printed on the motherboard itself or listed in your manual.

The window to press the key is narrow — usually one to three seconds after you power on. If you miss it, the computer boots normally and you have to restart and try again. Some newer computers, especially laptops, have made BIOS access harder by default for security reasons, so the process may differ from older machines you have used before.

Key Takeaways

  • Restart your computer and watch the startup screen for a message telling you which key to press — usually F2, F10, or Del depending on the manufacturer.
  • Press that key repeatedly during the first few seconds after power-on, before the operating system loads.
  • If you miss the window, let the computer finish booting and restart to try again.
  • On newer laptops, you may need to hold the key down rather than tap it, or disable find Boot in Windows settings first.
  • Once inside BIOS, use arrow keys to navigate and Enter to select — the mouse usually does not work.

Finding the correct key for your specific computer

The easiest way is to look at the startup screen itself. When you power on your computer, before anything loads, you will see a manufacturer logo and usually a line of text that says something like "Press F2 to enter Setup" or "Press Del for BIOS Settings." Write down that key and use it.

If the message is too fast to read, restart and watch more carefully — or take a photo with your phone. If you still cannot see it, check your computer's manual or the manufacturer's support website. Search for your exact model number (usually on a sticker on the back or bottom) plus "how to enter BIOS" and you will find the right key.

For laptops, manufacturers sometimes hide BIOS access behind additional steps. Lenovo ThinkPads, for example, may require you to hold Fn while pressing F2. Dell XPS laptops sometimes need you to restart and hold F2 from the moment you press the power button. If the standard key does not work, try holding it down instead of tapping it.

The step-by-step process to get into BIOS

First, save any open work and close all programs. Then restart your computer — do not just shut it down and turn it back on, use the restart option so the sequence is clean.

As soon as the computer powers on and you see the manufacturer logo or startup screen, begin pressing your key repeatedly. Press it about once per second — do not hold it down continuously, and do not press it so fast that the computer cannot register each press. You should see the BIOS screen appear within a few seconds.

If the computer boots into Windows or macOS instead, you missed the window. Restart and try again, pressing the key earlier or more frequently. Some people find it easier to press the key when ready after hearing the startup beep or seeing the first logo appear.

Navigating BIOS once you are inside

BIOS looks different depending on your motherboard or laptop manufacturer, but the controls are always the same. Use the arrow keys to move between options, Enter to select or open a submenu, and usually Esc to go back one level. The mouse does not work in BIOS — it is a text-based interface from before graphical operating systems existed.

At the bottom or top of the screen, you will usually see a legend showing which keys do what — look for "Use arrow keys to navigate" or similar text. Read this legend first so you know how to move around without guessing.

Do not change anything unless you know what it does. BIOS settings control fundamental hardware behavior, and changing the wrong setting can prevent your computer from starting. If you are in BIOS to update firmware or check a specific setting, find that setting, make your change, and exit.

How to exit BIOS without saving changes

If you entered BIOS by accident or want to leave without making changes, look for an "Exit" option in the main menu. Press Enter on it, and BIOS will ask you to confirm — choose "Exit Without Saving" or "Discard Changes." Your computer will then boot normally into Windows or macOS.

If you cannot find an Exit option, pressing Esc repeatedly usually takes you back to the main menu, where you can find it. On some computers, pressing Esc from the main menu itself exits BIOS without saving.

Saving changes and exiting BIOS

If you made a change you want to keep — such as updating firmware or changing a boot order — look for "Save and Exit" or "Save Changes and Exit" in the main menu. Select it and press Enter. BIOS will ask you to confirm the save. Choose "Yes" or "OK," and your computer will restart with the new settings in place.

Some BIOS versions use F10 as a keyboard shortcut for "Save and Exit" instead of a menu option. If you see "Press F10 to Save and Exit" anywhere on the screen, that is a faster way out.

What to do if you cannot get into BIOS

If you have tried the correct key multiple times and BIOS still will not open, your computer may have find Boot enabled, which blocks BIOS access on some newer Windows laptops. To disable it, restart Windows normally, go to Settings, search for "find Boot," and look for an option to turn it off. Then restart and try the BIOS key again.

If you have a very new laptop, the manufacturer may have replaced traditional BIOS with UEFI firmware, which sometimes has a different access method. Check your laptop manufacturer's support page for your exact model — search for "enter UEFI settings" rather than "enter BIOS."

If you still cannot access BIOS and you need to, contact the manufacturer's support line with your computer model number. They can walk you through the specific steps for your machine or tell you if BIOS access is restricted on your model.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I press the key but nothing happens?

You may be pressing the wrong key, or you may be pressing it too late. Restart and begin pressing the key when ready after you see the manufacturer logo appear — do not wait for the Windows or macOS loading screen. If that does not work, try a different key from the list for your manufacturer, or check your computer's manual.

Can I access BIOS from within Windows?

On newer Windows 10 and 11 computers, you can restart into BIOS through Settings instead of pressing a key during startup. Go to Settings, select System, then Recovery, and look for "Restart now" under "Advanced startup." Choose "Troubleshoot," then "Advanced options," then "UEFI Firmware Settings." Your computer will restart into BIOS automatically.

Is it dangerous to be in BIOS?

BIOS itself is not dangerous, but changing the wrong setting can prevent your computer from starting. If you are just looking at settings without changing anything, there is no risk. If you need to make a change, write down what you are changing before you change it, so you can undo it if something goes wrong.

Why is my BIOS screen hard to read?

BIOS runs before your operating system loads, so it uses basic text and colors that work on any monitor. If the text is blurry or the colors are wrong, your monitor may not have fully powered on yet — wait a few seconds after restarting before you start pressing keys. If it is still hard to read, try adjusting your monitor's brightness or contrast.

Do I need to be in BIOS to update my computer's firmware?

Usually yes — firmware updates typically run from within BIOS itself. However, some manufacturers now offer firmware updates through Windows or macOS instead. Check your manufacturer's support page for your specific model to see which method applies to you.