How to Enter BIOS or the Boot Menu on an MSI Computer
Beginner
MSI
Applies to: Windows 7, Windows 10, Windows 11
MSI
Applies to: Windows 7, Windows 10, Windows 11
MSI genuinely uses different keys for different product lines — here's how to tell which applies to you.
Before you start: save any open work and note down what you were doing when the problem started — that context helps if you need to search further or ask for help.
- For an MSI desktop or motherboard, tap Delete repeatedly from the moment you power on, before the MSI logo even appears — this is MSI's primary, most consistently documented BIOS key across desktop and motherboard products.
- For an MSI laptop, try F2 instead — laptops commonly use this rather than Delete, though it varies by specific model rather than following one universal rule.
- For the one-time boot menu on either type, tap F11 repeatedly at the same point instead.
- If you're not sure which key your specific model uses, MSI Center (if installed) offers a no-guesswork alternative: Support > System Diagnosis > BIOS Update > "Enter BIOS on Restart," which boots directly into BIOS without needing to time a key press at all.
- If nothing above works, use Windows' own route instead: Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Restart now, then Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings — this requires Windows to already be working, but sidesteps the key-timing question entirely.
Still not fixed? Send us the details and we'll help you dig further, or browse related guides in MSI.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does MSI use different keys for laptops versus desktops?
It's largely a legacy of desktop motherboard conventions (Delete has long been standard) versus laptop-specific firmware design (F2 being more common on laptops) — MSI inherited both conventions across their different product lines.
Is the "Enter BIOS on Restart" option in MSI Center reliable?
Yes — it's a software-triggered restart directly into BIOS, which sidesteps any uncertainty about key timing entirely, making it a more reliable option if you're not sure about the F3/F11 timing.
Related guides
MSI Center Explained (and Why There's No Pre-Boot Diagnostics)
Unlike Dell or HP, MSI doesn't offer a dedicated hardware test that runs independently of Windows — here's what it offers instead.
Where to Get Official MSI Drivers and BIOS Updates (and Avoid Fake Ones)
MSI Center, MSI's own support site, and even Windows Update — three legitimate paths, depending on what you need.
How to Factory Reset an MSI Using the Recovery Partition
A recovery environment built into the machine, independent of Windows — accessed with F3 on most models, though it varies.