How to Enter BIOS on MSI Motherboard: A Step-by-Step Guide

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is a crucial component of your computer that controls the basic functions of your hardware, including your processor, memory, storage devices, and more. Whether you’re upgrading your hardware, changing system settings, or troubleshooting issues, knowing how to enter the BIOS on your MSI motherboard is essential.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of accessing the BIOS on an MSI motherboard and provide some troubleshooting tips if things don’t go as planned.

What is BIOS, and Why Do You Need It?

Before diving into the steps, let’s briefly discuss what BIOS is and why it’s important. The BIOS is a firmware interface that allows you to configure low-level system settings. These settings include boot device priority, CPU configurations, RAM settings, and fan speeds. You also need to access the BIOS if you need to reset your system’s time and date, enable virtualization, or update the BIOS firmware.

On MSI motherboards, accessing the BIOS is typically straightforward, but there are a few key things to know to make sure you can get in without any hassle.

Step-by-Step Guide to Enter BIOS on MSI Motherboards

1. Power Off Your Computer

The first step to entering BIOS is ensuring your computer is completely powered off. If your system is on, shut it down properly by navigating to the Start menu and selecting “Shutdown” or pressing and holding the power button until the system turns off.

2. Power On and Press the BIOS Key

Once your system is powered off, press the power button to turn it back on. Here’s where timing matters: As soon as your computer begins to power up, start pressing the Delete (Del) key on your keyboard.

• The Delete Key: This is the most common key used to enter BIOS on MSI motherboards. You may need to press it several times in quick succession to ensure that it registers. It’s better to start pressing the key as soon as the MSI logo appears on your screen, or even before the logo shows up.
• The F2 Key: On some MSI boards, the F2 key can also be used to access the BIOS. If you find that the Delete key doesn’t work, try using F2 instead.

If you’re using a wireless keyboard or a USB 3.0 keyboard, you might run into some issues with key registration during boot. In that case, try using a wired USB keyboard or connect the keyboard to a USB 2.0 port.

3. Navigating the BIOS Menu

If you successfully pressed the correct key at the right time, the BIOS setup screen will appear. This menu allows you to configure system settings like boot order, CPU settings, memory timings, and more.

Use the arrow keys to navigate through the various sections and the Enter key to select options. To make changes, simply select the setting you want to alter, and use the +/- or arrow keys to adjust the values.

4. Saving and Exiting BIOS

After you make the necessary changes in the BIOS, you’ll want to save your settings and exit. To do this, press F10 to bring up the “Save & Exit” prompt. Confirm your changes, and your computer will restart with the new settings applied.

If you don’t want to make any changes and simply want to exit BIOS, select Exit Without Saving from the Exit menu.

Troubleshooting: What to Do If You Can’t Enter BIOS

In some cases, you might have difficulty entering the BIOS. If you’re pressing the right key at the right time but still can’t get in, here are some things to try:

1. Check Your Keyboard

If you’re using a wireless or USB 3.0 keyboard, it might not register in time during the boot-up process. If this happens, try using a wired keyboard or plug your keyboard into a USB 2.0 port on the back of your motherboard.

2. Disable Fast Boot or Secure Boot

Some systems have fast boot enabled by default, which skips the BIOS screen to speed up the boot process. This can make it tricky to enter the BIOS.

To resolve this, you may need to enter Windows first, navigate to the advanced startup options, and disable fast boot or secure boot from within the operating system.

3. Clear the CMOS

If all else fails, and you can’t get into the BIOS, you can reset the BIOS settings by clearing the CMOS. On MSI motherboards, you can do this by using the Clear CMOS button on the rear I/O panel or by using the jumper pins on the motherboard.

Be cautious when clearing the CMOS, as this will reset all BIOS settings to their default values. This is usually a last resort and may be necessary if you suspect corrupted settings are preventing access to the BIOS.

4. Consult the Manual

If you’re still having trouble, consult your motherboard’s manual for specific instructions. MSI provides detailed guides on how to enter BIOS for each model, and they may include special steps or key combinations based on your system.

Common BIOS Settings You May Want to Adjust

Once you’re in the BIOS, here are a few common settings you might want to adjust:

• Boot Order: Change the boot order if you want to boot from a USB drive, DVD, or a different storage device.
• RAM Settings: Adjust memory timings or enable XMP profiles to get the best performance from your RAM.
• CPU Settings: Overclocking settings for your CPU (if supported) or enabling/disabling CPU virtualization features.
• Fan Control: Adjust fan speeds for better cooling and noise control.

Conclusion

Entering the BIOS on your MSI motherboard is an essential skill, whether you’re upgrading components, troubleshooting hardware issues, or just customizing your system’s settings. With the steps outlined above, you should have no problem accessing the BIOS and configuring your system to your liking.

Remember that the key to entering BIOS is timing — press the Delete (or F2) key immediately after turning on your computer. If you’re facing issues, try some troubleshooting steps like using a wired keyboard or clearing the CMOS. Once you’re in, make sure to explore the different settings available to fine-tune your system.