Cloned Hard Drive Is Not Bootable, How to Fix It?

Quick Navigation:

• 1. Why SSD cloned won't boot?
• 2. How to fix a cloned drive that won't boot?
• 3. How to Create An Exact Bootable Clone for PC or Mac?

It's aggravating when a hard disk won't boot, no matter how many attempts you attempt. With a cloned hard drive, you won't have to reinstall Windows on your new computer. Connecting a cloned hard drive to a new computer is simple, and once everything is set up, the disk will function as it did before. The "cloned hard drive won't boot" error message appears when you try to clone a drive that fails to boot.

This article explains the possible causes of a cloned hard disk failing to start. We'll also look at what causes the "cloned hard drive won't boot" problem and how to resolve it. We will also advise you on a trustworthy third-party tool. Then, let's investigate this more.

Why SSD cloned won't boot?

You can't find a good solution to an issue if you don't know what's causing it. The same holds for the cloned SSD won't boot error; to resolve this issue in the future, you must first understand its probable causes.

1. The original disk won't boot.

The source disk is a possible cause of this problem. These problems are typically caused by faulty sectors on the source disk. The faulty sectors on the source drive are a common reason why a cloned SSD won't boot. If this is the case, however, no piece of software will be able to help you.

2. Boot from the incorrect drive.

If your cloned SSD is giving you trouble booting, read on. It is possible whenever the source disk is removed and connected to a different machine. After that is complete, the source disk is cloned without the need to boot from the source drive. It's a common problem for the cloned SSD to fail to boot during this process.

3. Specific SSD drivers are required.

Sometimes, the drivers you've installed won't work with the SSD. SSDs may require a certain set of drivers to function properly.

4. GPT/MBR Conflict.

Any computer-based endeavor is prone to a wide range of disputes. This problem often occurs because of a GPT/MBR conflict that arises throughout the process.

5. Cloning-related mistakes.

An SSD clone may fail to start if an error occurs during cloning.

How to fix a cloned drive that won't boot?

Change the Boot Sequence in the BIOS:

• When using the SSD as the primary BOOT device, the clone drive will not boot.
• The SSD may be used as a BootDisk by altering the boot sequence in the system's BIOS.
• To get started, please restart your computer. When the boot screen shows, press the shortcut keys until the BIOS menu opens. The most often used and suitable shortcut keys are F2, F8, F12, and Del.
• Use the system-specific shortcut key to enter the BIOS.
• After entering the BIOS, use the arrow keys to navigate to the Boot tap and choose the SSD boot option.
• Third, after making the necessary changes, restart your computer by using the F10 key.

Make a cloned hard drive's partition active:

If the cloned hard drive doesn't boot because the primary partition containing the system startup file is not marked as active, you may force it to boot by issuing the following command from the command line:

• To access the Run dialog, use Windows+R, type diskpart in the box, and then hit Enter.
• Type the following instructions one at a time into the prompt box. After entering each instruction, press Enter.
• List disk (all disks will be listed).
• Choose Disk 3 (the copied disk, whose size may be determined).
• The cloned disk's partitions may be seen with the command list partition.
• Click on partition 1 (the primary partition; please substitute the appropriate number).
• Start your machine back up.

Using Windows RE to Fix Windows Boot Up:

If Windows 10 or 11 won't boot from SSD, you may need to enter a Windows recovery environment (RE) to fix Windows Startup.

• 1. Start up the computer using the Windows CD. Choose the option to fix your computer.
• 2. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > Startup Repair (Windows 11/10/8) from the "Choose an option" menu. The issue with starting will after that be repaired.

How to Create An Exact Bootable Clone for PC or Mac?

To make sure the cloned disk can be used as a boot drive, you should use a safe disk cloning program and create an exact bootable clone. DoYourClone is a powerful and easy-to-use disk cloning program which supports to create full bootable clone for Windows and Mac OS.

Step 1. Download and install DoYourClone on your computer, then open it.

Step 2. Connect an external hard drive to your Mac as the clone destination disk. Then select the computer disk as the source disk, select the external hard drive as the destination disk.

Step 3. Preview the layout, if the external hard drive is SSD, tick “Check this option if the destination is SSD.” Then click Clone button.

It will clone all data from the system disk to the external hard drive and create bootable clone.

Conclusion:

You may do a few things to fix a cloned hard drive that is not starting. First, ensure the HDD or solid-state drive (SSD) and its power wires are firmly attached to the computer. If the hard drive is properly connected but won't start, you can enter the system's BIOS to see if it is recognized. The hard drive's active partition has to be verified, and the hard drive should be designated as the system's first boot device in the BIOS's boot order settings. If you've tried everything and the SSD still won't boot, you may need to use a partitioning program to ensure it's set up correctly.