How to Enter BIOS on an ASUS Laptop

The fastest way to enter BIOS on an ASUS laptop

To enter BIOS on most ASUS laptops, restart your computer and press Delete or F2 repeatedly as soon as you see the ASUS logo — before Windows starts to load. The key you need depends on your model: Delete works on most ASUS laptops, but some use F2, F10, or F12 instead. You have only a few seconds to press the key, so if you miss the window, restart and try again.

The timing matters more than the speed. You are aiming for the moment between when the ASUS splash screen appears and when the Windows login screen would normally show. If you press too early (before the logo), nothing happens. If you press too late (after Windows starts loading), you will boot into Windows instead and have to restart.

If Delete and F2 do not work on your model, try holding the key down rather than tapping it repeatedly. Some ASUS laptops respond better to a held key than rapid presses. If neither works after three or four restart attempts, check your laptop's manual or the ASUS support page for your specific model number — a small number of older or specialized ASUS models use different keys.

Key Takeaways

Press Delete or F2 repeatedly the moment the ASUS logo appears during startup, before Windows begins to load.
You have only a few seconds to press the key, so restart and try again if you miss the window.
If Delete and F2 do not work, try F10, F12, or holding the key down instead of tapping it.
Some ASUS models require you to disable Secure Boot or Fast Startup in Windows before BIOS will open on restart.

What to do if BIOS will not open

If you have tried Delete and F2 multiple times and BIOS still will not open, the problem is usually Fast Startup in Windows. This feature prevents your laptop from doing a true restart, which blocks BIOS access. To turn it off, open Settings, go to System, then Power, then click "Additional power settings" on the right side. Click "Choose what the power button does" on the left, then "Change settings that are currently unavailable." Uncheck the box next to "Turn on fast startup" and save.

After you disable Fast Startup, restart your laptop and try pressing Delete or F2 again. This solves the problem for most ASUS users.

A second common cause is Secure Boot, which some ASUS models require you to disable before BIOS will respond to key presses during startup. If Fast Startup is already off and BIOS still will not open, restart into Windows, open Settings, go to System, then Recovery, and click "Restart now" under "Advanced startup." When your laptop restarts, click "Troubleshoot," then "Advanced options," then "UEFI Firmware Settings." This route bypasses the timing problem and takes you directly into BIOS.

Entering BIOS through Windows settings instead

If you cannot get the timing right during startup, Windows 10 and Windows 11 offer a direct route. Open Settings, go to System, then Recovery. Under "Advanced startup," click "Restart now." Your laptop will restart into a blue menu. Click "Troubleshoot," then "Advanced options," then "UEFI Firmware Settings." This takes you straight into BIOS without needing to press any keys during the boot sequence.

This method works on all recent ASUS laptops and removes the timing pressure entirely. The downside is that it takes longer than the Delete key method because Windows has to shut down and restart into the recovery menu first. But if you have tried the Delete and F2 keys several times without success, this is the most reliable way forward.

What you will see once BIOS opens

When BIOS opens, you will see a menu with tabs across the top — usually "Main," "Advanced," "Boot," "Security," and "Save & Exit." The exact layout and options vary by ASUS model and BIOS version, but the structure is similar across most ASUS laptops. The Main tab shows your hardware (processor, RAM, storage) and system time. The Boot tab controls the order in which your laptop checks for an operating system to start.

Do not change settings unless you know what you are doing. BIOS controls fundamental hardware behavior, and wrong changes can prevent your laptop from starting. If you are in BIOS to check something specific — like boot order or storage information — find that setting, note what you need, and exit without saving. Press F10 or navigate to "Save & Exit" and choose "Exit Without Saving" to leave BIOS unchanged.

Restarting your laptop after BIOS changes

If you do make changes in BIOS, you must save them before you exit. Press F10, or go to the "Save & Exit" tab and select "Save Changes and Exit." Your laptop will restart and apply the new settings. This usually takes a minute or two longer than a normal startup because BIOS is applying the changes.

If your laptop does not start normally after you change BIOS settings, restart it and go back into BIOS to check what you changed. Most BIOS settings have a "Load Defaults" or "Restore Defaults" option that will reset everything to factory settings if something went wrong. This is usually found in the "Save & Exit" tab.

Common reasons to enter BIOS on an ASUS laptop

Most people enter BIOS to change the boot order — the sequence in which the laptop checks for an operating system. This is necessary if you want to boot from a USB drive (for example, to install Windows or run a repair tool). To change boot order, open BIOS, go to the "Boot" tab, and look for "Boot Option Priorities" or similar. You can then move USB or external drives to the top of the list.

Other common reasons include checking how much RAM your laptop has, seeing the storage capacity, disabling or enabling Secure Boot, or checking system temperatures. Some people also enter BIOS to enable or disable hardware features like the touchpad or camera. The location of these settings varies by model, but they are usually in the "Advanced" or "Security" tabs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I press Delete and nothing happens?

Try F2 instead, or hold Delete down for a few seconds rather than tapping it. If neither works, disable Fast Startup in Windows (Settings > System > Power > Additional power settings > Choose what the power button does > Turn on fast startup). Then restart and try again.

Can I enter BIOS without restarting?

Yes. Open Settings, go to System, then Recovery, and click "Restart now" under Advanced startup. When the blue menu appears, click Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then UEFI Firmware Settings. This takes you directly into BIOS without the timing pressure of the Delete key method.

Will changing BIOS settings break my laptop?

Most BIOS changes are safe, but wrong changes can prevent your laptop from starting. If something goes wrong, restart into BIOS and look for a "Load Defaults" or "Restore Defaults" option to reset everything. If your laptop will not start at all, you may need to contact ASUS support.

How do I know which key to press if Delete and F2 do not work?

Check your ASUS laptop's manual or the ASUS support website for your specific model number. Some older or specialized ASUS models use F10, F12, or other keys. Your model number is usually printed on the bottom of the laptop or in Settings under System > About.

Is it safe to look around BIOS without changing anything?

Yes. You can browse any BIOS menu and read settings without risk. Just make sure you exit without saving (press F10 and choose "Exit Without Saving") so no changes are applied. This is a safe way to check hardware information or understand what settings are available.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.