How to Fix GRUB Not Showing in a Dual-Boot Setup

Dual-booting is an easy way to try out Linux without giving up the convenience of Windows. However, sometimes you may run into trouble with the GRUB bootloader.

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The GRUB bootloader not showing up during boot-up is a rare but difficult problem that dual-boot users may encounter. Here’s how you can fix it quickly.

1. Change GRUB Boot Priority

Your system boots with the bootloader at the top of the boot priority queue. Sometimes, the GRUB bootloader is placed under the Windows boot manager in some way. This results in your PC booting up to Windows instead of Linux.

As soon as it boots up, press the F12 or Del key. This will take you to the UEFI BIOS Control Panel. Look for Boot Settings and configure boot priority. Be sure to put the GRUB bootloader on top.

Once you’ve made changes, exit and save your modifications. Your PC will begin to boot, and this time, you should be greeted by the GRUB boot menu. Select your Linux distribution and press Enter. Your Linux should begin to boot.

Here are all the steps you need to follow to fix GRUB bootloader not showing up due to boot priority issue.

2. Add the Linux Distribution to the Boot Entry

Sometimes, the Linux boot entry may not appear in the UEFI BIOS. This means that your PC will boot with whatever option is left, which is Windows in most cases. To fix this, restart your computer and manually add your Linux distribution to the boot entry. As soon as it boots up, press the F12 or Del key. This will take you to the UEFI BIOS Control Panel.

Look for Boot Settings and click Add New Entry. Locate the Shimx64.efi file and confirm your changes. Note that this method may or may not work for all computers. If this doesn’t work for you, try alternative solutions.

3. Disable Windows Fast Boot

The Fast Startup feature in Windows 10 helps you restart your PC faster after shutdown. When enabled, it speeds up boot times by saving your operating system to a hibernation file. One major disadvantage of this feature is that it often messes up dual-boot setups.

That’s all you need to do to disable fast startup. Restart your PC, and you should be greeted by GRUB.

4. Use bcdedit to set the path for grubx64.efi/shimx64.efi

bcdedit is a Windows built-in command line utility that helps troubleshoot boot-related problems. You can use bcdedit to default to GRUB every time you boot by defining the path to the GRUB bootloader. Here are the steps to follow.

GRUB not showing up? Use the Windows Boot Manager!

The GRUB bootloader can be a hassle to use at times. If you can’t fix GRUB at all, try switching to the Windows Boot Manager for a change. You can boot into various distributions with the Windows Boot Manager, just like GRUB. While it may not have all the features of GRUB, it does its job as a boot manager.

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