How to enter BIOS on an ASUS laptop

To open BIOS on an ASUS laptop, restart your computer and press Delete or F2 repeatedly as it boots up — before the Windows logo appears. Which key works depends on your specific ASUS model, but Delete is most common on desktops and F2 on laptops. You need to press it many times in quick succession the moment you see the ASUS splash screen, because the window to enter BIOS closes within a few seconds.

If pressing Delete or F2 does not work, try F10 or Escape — some ASUS models use these instead. The key you need is often shown briefly on the boot screen itself, in small text at the bottom. If you miss it, restart and watch more carefully, or look up your exact laptop model number (usually on a sticker on the bottom) and search for "[your model] enter BIOS" to confirm which key applies to you.

Once you press the correct key, the BIOS menu will open before Windows loads. You will see a blue or dark screen with white text showing hardware information and menu options. At this point, Windows has not started, so your keyboard and mouse work differently — use arrow keys to navigate and Enter to select options.

Key Takeaways

  • Press Delete or F2 repeatedly during startup, before the Windows logo appears, to enter BIOS on most ASUS laptops.
  • The timing is critical — you have only a few seconds after the ASUS splash screen appears to press the key.
  • If Delete and F2 do not work, try F10 or Escape, or look up your exact model number to find the correct key.
  • Once in BIOS, use arrow keys and Enter to navigate, because the mouse and keyboard behave differently than they do in Windows.
  • Do not make changes in BIOS unless you know what you are changing — saving and exiting without changes is always safe.

Why the timing matters and what to watch for

ASUS laptops boot quickly, and the window to press the BIOS key is only two to four seconds long. If you press the key after Windows has already started loading, nothing will happen. The safest approach is to restart your laptop, then begin pressing the key as soon as you see any ASUS logo or text on the screen, and keep pressing it until either BIOS opens or Windows finishes loading.

On some newer ASUS models, especially those with fast solid-state drives, the boot is so quick that you may need to restart multiple times to catch the window. If you miss it on your first try, do not get frustrated — just restart and try again. Each attempt gives you another chance to press the key at the right moment.

Entering BIOS from Windows (alternative method)

If you cannot catch the boot window, ASUS laptops running Windows 10 or Windows 11 allow you to enter BIOS from within Windows itself. Open the Start menu, type "Settings," and click the Settings app. Then go to System (or Update & Security on older Windows 10 versions), find Recovery on the left side, and look for an option that says Restart now under "Advanced startup."

Click that button, and your laptop will restart into a blue menu. Select Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then UEFI Firmware Settings. Click Restart, and your laptop will reboot directly into BIOS. This method is slower than pressing a key during startup, but it works every time and removes the timing pressure.

What you will see once BIOS is open

ASUS BIOS screens vary by model, but they all show similar information and options. You will see tabs or menu items across the top — typically Main, Advanced, Boot, Security, and Exit. The Main tab displays your hardware: processor, RAM, storage drives, and their sizes. This is useful for confirming your laptop has the components you think it does.

The Boot tab controls the order in which your laptop searches for an operating system when it starts up. The Security tab manages passwords and drive encryption. Unless you are specifically updating firmware or changing a boot setting, you do not need to touch anything here. straightforward looking around and then exiting is completely safe.

How to exit BIOS without making changes

To leave BIOS and return to Windows, navigate to the Exit tab using your arrow keys and press Enter. You will see options like Exit and Save Changes or Exit Without Saving. If you have not intentionally changed any settings, select Exit Without Saving — this closes BIOS and boots Windows normally. Your laptop will not be affected.

If you accidentally changed something and are not sure what, always choose Exit Without Saving. BIOS changes only take effect when you explicitly save them, so exiting without saving means your laptop returns to its previous state.

Troubleshooting when BIOS will not open

If none of the standard keys (Delete, F2, F10, Escape) open BIOS, your laptop may have a different key or a different boot process. Check the bottom of your laptop for a model number sticker — it usually looks like "VivoBook 15" or "ROG Strix G16" — and search online for "[that model] how to enter BIOS." ASUS support pages for your specific model will list the exact key.

Another possibility is that your laptop has a physical BIOS reset button or jumper on the motherboard, though this is rare on consumer laptops. If you have recently updated Windows or your laptop is brand new, try restarting it a few times and watching the screen carefully — sometimes the splash screen is very brief and straightforward to miss.

If you are still stuck, contact ASUS support with your model number. They can confirm the correct key and walk you through the process over the phone or through their online chat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I press the key but nothing happens?

You likely pressed it after Windows had already started loading. Restart your laptop and begin pressing the key as soon as you see the ASUS logo — do not wait. If you are still having trouble, try the Windows Settings method instead: go to Settings > System > Recovery > Advanced startup > Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings.

Can I damage my laptop by opening BIOS?

Opening BIOS and looking around causes no damage. Changing settings can cause problems, but only if you save those changes. If you do not intentionally modify anything and exit without saving, your laptop is completely unaffected.

Why does my BIOS look different from what I see online?

ASUS makes many laptop models, and each one has a slightly different BIOS interface. The layout, colors, and menu names vary. As long as you see tabs like Main, Boot, and Exit, you are in the right place. The core functions are the same across all ASUS BIOS versions.

Do I need to update BIOS on my ASUS laptop?

Most users do not need to update BIOS. Updates are released to fix specific hardware problems or add support for new components. Check ASUS support for your model number — if there is an update available and you are experiencing the problem it fixes, then update. Otherwise, leave BIOS as it is.

Can I use a mouse in BIOS?

Some ASUS BIOS versions support a mouse, but most do not. Use arrow keys to navigate, Enter to select, and Escape to go back. This is the most reliable method across all ASUS models and works the same way every time.