The fastest way: restart and press F2 or Enter

To open BIOS on most Lenovo laptops, restart your computer and press F2 repeatedly as soon as you see the Lenovo logo. On some newer models, press Enter instead when you see the startup screen. You have only a few seconds after the logo appears, so start pressing immediately and keep pressing until the BIOS menu loads.

If F2 or Enter does not work, your laptop may use a different key. Lenovo ThinkPad models sometimes use F1, and some IdeaPad or Legion machines use Fn + F2 if Fn Lock is enabled. The correct key is usually shown on the startup screen for a fraction of a second — watch for text that says "Press [key] to enter Setup" or similar.

If you miss the window, let the laptop finish booting into Windows, then restart and try again. There is no penalty for missing it; you simply have to restart once more.

Key Takeaways

  • Press F2 repeatedly the moment you see the Lenovo logo during startup to enter BIOS on most models.
  • Some newer Lenovo laptops use Enter, F1, or Fn + F2 instead; the correct key is shown briefly on the startup screen.
  • You have only a few seconds after the logo appears, so start pressing before you are certain which key is correct.
  • If you miss the window, restart the laptop and try again — there is no way to enter BIOS from within Windows on most Lenovo machines.

What to do if the standard keys do not work

If F2 does not open BIOS, check your laptop model number first. Lenovo uses different startup keys across product lines. ThinkPad models typically use F1 or F2. IdeaPad and Yoga models usually use F2 or Enter. Legion gaming laptops often use F2 or Fn + F2. You can find your model number on a sticker on the bottom of the laptop or in Windows by opening Settings, selecting System, then About.

Once you know your model, restart the laptop and watch the startup screen carefully. Lenovo displays the correct key for a brief moment — usually in the bottom left or right corner. If you cannot read it in time, try pressing F2, F1, Enter, and Fn + F2 in sequence during the startup process. One of these will work for your machine.

If none of these keys work after several restarts, your laptop may have a BIOS password set, which prevents entry without the correct password. Contact Lenovo support with your model number and proof of ownership if you need to reset it.

Entering BIOS on Lenovo ThinkPad models

ThinkPad laptops most often use F1 to enter BIOS, though some newer models use F2. Restart your ThinkPad and press F1 repeatedly as the Lenovo logo appears. If F1 does not work, try F2 immediately on the next restart.

ThinkPad startup screens sometimes display "Press F1 for Setup" or "Press F2 for Setup" in small text at the bottom of the screen. Watch for this text during the first few seconds after power-on. If you see it, press the indicated key.

Entering BIOS on Lenovo IdeaPad and Yoga models

IdeaPad and Yoga laptops typically use F2 to open BIOS. Restart your laptop and press F2 repeatedly as soon as the Lenovo logo appears. Some newer IdeaPad models use Enter instead — if F2 does not work, restart and try Enter.

On IdeaPad models with Fn Lock enabled, you may need to press Fn + F2 together. Fn Lock is usually toggled by pressing Fn and Esc together, or Fn and the key marked with a lock symbol. If you are unsure whether Fn Lock is on, try both F2 alone and Fn + F2 during separate restarts.

Entering BIOS on Lenovo Legion gaming laptops

Legion laptops usually respond to F2 during startup. Press F2 repeatedly as the Lenovo logo appears. Some Legion models use Fn + F2 if Fn Lock is active, or Enter on very recent machines.

Legion laptops often display the startup key on screen for longer than other Lenovo models, so watch the bottom of the screen during the first few seconds of boot. If you see "Press F2 to enter Setup," press F2 immediately.

What happens after BIOS opens

Once BIOS loads, you will see a menu with options like Main, Advanced, Security, Boot, and Exit. The exact layout depends on your laptop model and BIOS version. Use the arrow keys to navigate between menu items and Enter to select. Some settings require you to change a value using the plus and minus keys or by typing a number.

Common reasons to enter BIOS include changing the boot order (so your laptop starts from a USB drive or external disk), disabling or enabling hardware like the camera or touchpad, or checking hardware information like the amount of RAM installed. Do not change settings unless you know what they do — incorrect BIOS settings can prevent your laptop from starting.

To exit BIOS without saving changes, press Esc or select Exit Without Saving. To save your changes and restart, select Save and Exit or press F10.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I open BIOS from Windows without restarting?

On most Lenovo laptops, no — you must restart and press the key during startup. Some newer Windows 11 machines offer an Advanced Startup option in Settings that can lead to BIOS, but the restart-and-press-F2 method works on all models and is faster.

What if I press the wrong key and Windows starts instead?

Nothing happens — Windows simply boots normally. Restart your laptop and try again. You can restart as many times as needed without any risk to your files or system.

Is it safe to change BIOS settings?

Some settings are safe to change, like the boot order or enabling hardware features. Others, like CPU voltage or memory timing, can damage your laptop if set incorrectly. Only change settings you understand, and write down the original values before you change anything so you can restore them if needed.

My BIOS is asking for a password. What do I do?

If a password was set on your BIOS, you will need it to make changes. If you do not know the password, contact Lenovo support with your laptop model number and proof of ownership. Lenovo can help you reset it, though the process may require sending the laptop in for service.

Does the Fn key matter when pressing F2?

On most Lenovo laptops, F2 works without holding Fn. However, if Fn Lock is enabled on your model, you may need to press Fn + F2 together. If F2 alone does not work, try holding Fn and pressing F2 on your next restart.