The “Start PXE over IPv4” message normally appears during the computer’s startup process, before Windows loads. Your firmware is essentially saying that it is attempting to find a bootable operating system over the network.
This often happens when the computer cannot successfully boot from its internal storage. A changed boot priority, failed Windows boot files, an incorrectly detected SSD, a failing storage drive, or an enabled network boot option can all contribute to the problem.
Before making major changes, disconnect unnecessary USB drives, external hard drives, memory cards, and other bootable devices.
Then restart the computer. If the message keeps returning, work through the steps below..
Fix “Start PXE Over IPv4” Error in Windows
To fix the “Start PXE over IPv4” error in Windows, you can:
- Restart the PC and enter the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings.
- Check whether the SSD or hard drive is detected.
- Open the Boot settings and move Windows Boot Manager above network or PXE boot options.
- Disable PXE Boot, Network Boot, or IPv4 Network Boot if you do not use network booting.
- Save the firmware changes and restart the computer.
- If the internal drive is detected but Windows still does not start, use Windows Startup Repair or repair the boot configuration.
- If the drive is missing from BIOS or UEFI, check the drive connection or have the storage device inspected.
Step 1: Restart the Computer and Open BIOS or UEFI
Start by restarting your computer. As soon as it begins powering on, repeatedly press the key used to open the BIOS or UEFI settings. Depending on your computer manufacturer, this could be F2, F10, F12, Delete, or Esc.
If Windows starts too quickly, restart the PC and try again. Some computers display a short message such as “Press F2 to enter Setup” or “Press F12 for Boot Options.”
Once you’re inside the firmware settings, don’t change random options. BIOS and UEFI settings control important startup hardware, so focus on the Boot and Storage sections.
Step 2: Check Whether Your SSD or Hard Drive Is Detected
The next thing to check is whether your internal storage device is actually visible to the computer.
Go to BIOS/UEFI > Storage, System Information, Main, or a similarly named section. The exact location varies by manufacturer.
Look for the name or model number of your SSD or hard drive. If you can see the drive, that’s a good sign because the firmware can communicate with the storage device.
If the drive is not detected at all, changing the boot order probably will not solve the problem. A loose connection, storage controller setting, failed SSD, or hardware problem could be involved.
For a desktop PC, you may need to check the SATA and power connections. For a laptop, opening the system may not be practical, so professional hardware service can be the safer option.
Step 3: Set Windows Boot Manager as the First Boot Option
If your internal drive is detected, check the computer’s boot priority.
Go to BIOS/UEFI > Boot > Boot Priority. Look for an entry called Windows Boot Manager. On a UEFI-based Windows installation, this is normally the preferred boot entry.
Move Windows Boot Manager to the top of the boot list. Network options such as PXE IPv4, PXE IPv6, Network Boot, or LAN Boot should normally be below the internal Windows boot option unless you specifically need network booting.
The exact method for changing the order varies. Some firmware interfaces let you drag entries, while others require F5/F6, plus and minus keys, or on-screen instructions.
After making the change, save the settings and restart the computer.
Step 4: Disable PXE or Network Boot
If your computer keeps trying to start PXE even after adjusting the boot order, you can disable network booting when you don’t use it.
Go to BIOS/UEFI > Boot, Advanced, or Network settings and look for an option named PXE Boot, Network Boot, UEFI Network Stack, IPv4 Network Boot, LAN Boot, or something similar.
Disable the relevant network boot option, then save your changes and restart.
Keep in mind that the wording differs between computers. If your PC belongs to a company or school and is managed through network deployment, don’t disable PXE without checking with the administrator. Network booting may be intentional in that environment.
Step 5: Try the One-Time Boot Menu
Instead of permanently changing the boot order, you can also test the internal Windows installation through the one-time boot menu.
Restart the computer and press the manufacturer’s boot-menu key, commonly F12, F9, F11, Esc, or another designated key.
When the boot menu appears, select Windows Boot Manager or your internal SSD. If Windows starts normally, the problem was likely related to the default boot priority rather than Windows itself.
This is also a useful diagnostic step because it tells you whether the firmware can find a valid Windows boot entry.
Step 6: Repair Windows Startup
If the SSD is detected and Windows Boot Manager is selected correctly, but the computer still cannot start Windows, the issue may involve the Windows boot configuration.
You can use the Windows Recovery Environment to access startup repair tools. Start the computer from Windows installation or recovery media, then select the appropriate recovery options.
Go to Repair your computer > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
Startup Repair checks common problems that prevent Windows from starting and attempts to correct them automatically.
If Startup Repair cannot resolve the problem, other recovery tools may be available. However, avoid running commands or deleting partitions unless you understand exactly what they do. Incorrect disk or boot configuration changes can make recovery more difficult.
Step 7: Check the Boot Mode and Storage Configuration
A mismatch in firmware settings can also prevent Windows from starting correctly.
Modern Windows installations commonly use UEFI with a GPT partition layout. Older installations may use Legacy BIOS with MBR.
If someone recently changed the firmware from UEFI to Legacy or changed related storage settings, Windows may stop booting correctly.
Go to BIOS/UEFI > Boot and review the current Boot Mode. If the computer previously worked normally, avoid changing this setting casually. The correct configuration depends on how Windows was originally installed.
If the problem started immediately after a BIOS reset or firmware change, restoring the previous configuration may resolve the issue.
Step 8: Check for a Failing Storage Drive
If your SSD or hard drive intermittently disappears from BIOS, Windows crashes frequently, or the computer sometimes boots and sometimes displays PXE, the storage device could be failing.
A failing drive may not always disappear completely. It can behave inconsistently, which may cause the firmware to fall back to another boot option such as PXE network boot.
If the drive contains important files, prioritize data recovery or backup before repeatedly troubleshooting the operating system.
For an older HDD, unusual clicking or grinding noises can be another warning sign. SSDs generally don’t produce mechanical noises, so detection problems with an SSD should be investigated through firmware diagnostics, connections, or hardware testing.
FAQs
Why does my computer say “Start PXE over IPv4”?
It usually means the computer is attempting to boot from the network. This commonly happens when the firmware cannot find or successfully start the operating system on the internal storage.
Is PXE a Windows error?
Not exactly. PXE is a firmware-level network boot feature, so the message normally appears before Windows has loaded. Windows may be completely fine, although a Windows boot problem can cause the computer to fall back to PXE.
How do I stop PXE from starting?
Enter your BIOS or UEFI settings, open the boot configuration, and place Windows Boot Manager above network boot options. If you don’t use PXE, you can also disable PXE or Network Boot.
What if Windows Boot Manager isn’t listed?
First check whether your SSD or hard drive is detected. If the storage device isn’t visible, investigate the hardware or storage connection. If the drive is visible but Windows Boot Manager is missing, the Windows boot configuration may need repair.
Can a bad SSD cause the PXE error?
Yes. If the computer cannot reliably access its internal storage, the firmware may move on to another available boot method, including PXE network boot.
Should I disable IPv4 PXE Boot?
If you’re using a personal computer and don’t need network booting, disabling it can prevent the system from falling back to PXE. On a business or school computer, however, PXE may be intentionally configured, so check with the administrator first.
Bottom Lines
The “Start PXE over IPv4” message usually means your computer is trying to boot from the network instead of successfully starting Windows from its internal storage. The most straightforward fix is to enter BIOS or UEFI, confirm that your SSD or hard drive is detected, and put Windows Boot Manager first in the boot order.
If that doesn’t work, disable PXE or Network Boot, test Windows through the one-time boot menu, and use Startup Repair if the internal drive is detected but Windows won’t start.
If the SSD or hard drive isn’t detected, though, don’t keep changing Windows settings. At that point, the issue is more likely related to hardware, drive connections, firmware configuration, or a failing storage device.