How to Open BIOS on Your ASUS Computer

The fastest way to enter ASUS BIOS

To open BIOS on an ASUS computer, restart your machine and press Delete or F2 repeatedly as it boots up — before the Windows logo appears. Which key works depends on your ASUS model: most laptops use F2, while most desktops use Delete. If neither works, watch your screen during startup for a message like "Press DEL to enter Setup" or "Press F2 for BIOS".

The timing matters. You need to start pressing the key as soon as you see the ASUS logo or the first boot screen, and keep pressing it every half-second or so until the BIOS menu opens. If Windows starts loading, you've missed the window — restart and try again. Some ASUS machines also accept F12 or Esc to reach a boot menu first, from which you can then select BIOS setup.

On newer ASUS laptops with Windows 11, you may also enter BIOS through Windows itself: go to Settings > System > Recovery, click "Restart now" under Advanced startup, then select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings. This is slower but more reliable if keyboard timing is difficult.

Key Takeaways

Press Delete or F2 repeatedly during startup, before Windows loads, to enter BIOS on most ASUS computers.
Desktop models typically use Delete; laptops typically use F2, but your startup screen will tell you which key to use.
If you miss the timing window, restart the computer and try again — there is no penalty for failed attempts.
On Windows 11 ASUS laptops, you can also reach BIOS through Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup options.
Once inside BIOS, use arrow keys to navigate and Enter to select; look for an on-screen guide or press F1 for help.

Why the timing window is so short

Modern computers boot very quickly — often in just a few seconds. The BIOS runs before the operating system loads, so you have only that brief window to interrupt the startup process. On older machines this window lasted 10 or 15 seconds; on newer ones it may be only 3 or 4 seconds.

If your ASUS computer has a fast SSD drive, the window closes even faster. This is why restarting from within Windows (rather than a cold shutdown) sometimes gives you a longer window — the system boots more slowly when it's warming up from a previous session.

What to do if Delete and F2 don't work

First, check your startup screen for the correct key. During the boot process, before Windows appears, ASUS displays a message telling you which key opens BIOS setup. Read that message carefully — it may say F2, Delete, F12, or Esc depending on your model.

If you cannot see the message clearly or it disappears too fast, restart and watch more carefully. You can also try pressing the key continuously from the moment you press the power button, rather than waiting for the logo to appear. Some ASUS machines respond to this approach even if you miss the official window.

If neither Delete nor F2 works after several attempts, try F12 or Esc to reach the boot menu instead. From the boot menu, look for an option like "Enter Setup" or "BIOS Setup" and select it with the arrow keys and Enter.

Navigating BIOS once you're inside

ASUS BIOS uses arrow keys to move between options and Enter to select them. The layout varies by model, but you will typically see tabs across the top (like Main, Advanced, Boot, Security) and a list of settings below. On the right side, there is usually a description of the currently selected option.

Do not change settings unless you know what they do. If you are in BIOS to check something or make one specific change, find that setting, make the change, then save and exit. Press F10 to save and exit, or look for an "Exit" menu option. ASUS will ask you to confirm before saving.

If you get lost or change something by accident, look for a "Load Defaults" or "Reset to Defaults" option in the Exit menu. This restores all settings to factory defaults without erasing your hard drive or operating system.

Common reasons to open BIOS

People typically enter BIOS to change the boot order (which drive the computer starts from), check hardware information like RAM or storage capacity, enable or disable hardware features, or update the BIOS itself. You might also enter BIOS to set a startup password or change power settings.

If you are trying to boot from a USB drive or external hard drive, you may need to change the boot order in BIOS. Look for a "Boot" tab and move USB or external drives higher in the list so they are checked before your main hard drive.

Updating ASUS BIOS safely

BIOS updates are rare — most people never need one. If ASUS releases an update for your specific model, you can download it from the ASUS support website using your model number. Download the file to a USB drive, restart into BIOS, find the "Tool" or "Utilities" menu, and look for an option like "BIOS Update" or "EZ Flash".

Never interrupt a BIOS update, even if it seems to be taking a long time. Stopping the update mid-way can make your computer unbootable. Make sure your laptop is plugged in and fully charged before starting, and do not touch the keyboard or mouse until the update completes and the computer restarts automatically.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I press Delete or F2 and nothing happens?

You may have missed the timing window — the startup screen closes very quickly on modern computers. Restart and begin pressing the key as soon as you see the ASUS logo, pressing it repeatedly every half-second. If that still does not work, try F12 or Esc to reach the boot menu instead.

Can I damage my computer by opening BIOS?

Opening BIOS itself causes no damage. Changing settings inside BIOS can cause problems if you do not know what you are doing, but you can always restore defaults from the Exit menu. Do not change anything unless you have a specific reason to do so.

Is BIOS the same as UEFI?

UEFI is the modern version of BIOS. Newer ASUS computers use UEFI firmware, but it works the same way — you still press Delete or F2 during startup to enter it. The menus look slightly different, but navigation is the same.

Do I need to enter BIOS to install Windows?

You may need to change the boot order in BIOS so your computer boots from a USB drive with Windows on it. Insert the USB drive, restart, press Delete or F2, go to the Boot tab, and move USB to the top of the list. Save and exit, then restart with the USB still plugged in.

What if I forgot my BIOS password?

On most ASUS computers, you can reset a forgotten BIOS password by removing the CMOS battery inside the case for a few minutes, then reinserting it. This resets all BIOS settings to defaults. If your computer is under warranty, contact ASUS support instead of opening the case yourself.

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.