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How to Fix Acer Swift 3 Not Booting from USB on Windows 11: Step-by-Step Solutions

If your Acer Swift 3 is not booting from a USB drive on Windows 11, it can be frustrating. This issue often occurs when trying to install or repair Windows. Fortunately, there are simple steps you can take to fix this problem.

In this guide, we will walk you through easy and detailed solutions to help your laptop recognize and boot from the USB device. Each step is explained clearly, even for beginners.

Following these instructions carefully will save you time and avoid unnecessary confusion. Let’s get started with some quick checks before diving into the fixes.

By the end, you will understand why the problem happens and how to fix it effectively.

Quick Note: Prerequisites and Basic Checks

  • Check USB Drive: Make sure your USB is properly created with a bootable Windows 11 installer. Tools like Rufus or the Microsoft Media Creation Tool can help.
  • USB Port: Try different USB ports on your Acer Swift 3, preferably USB 2.0 ports if available, as some USB 3.0 ports may not work during boot.
  • USB Format: The USB should be formatted in FAT32 or NTFS depending on your UEFI settings.
  • Charge Your Laptop: Ensure your laptop battery has enough charge or keep it plugged in during this process.

Step 1: Enter the BIOS Setup

The BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) controls hardware settings and boot order. You need to enter BIOS to make sure your USB drive is recognized as a bootable device.

  1. Turn off your Acer Swift 3 completely.
  2. Turn it on and immediately press the F2 key repeatedly. This will open the BIOS setup screen.
  3. Use the arrow keys to navigate through the BIOS menus.

Why this is important: The BIOS controls the boot sequence. If USB boot is disabled or not prioritized, your laptop will skip the USB and load Windows from the internal drive.

Step 2: Enable USB Boot and Adjust Boot Priority

Once inside BIOS, follow these steps:

  1. Go to the Boot tab using arrow keys.
  2. Look for the option named Boot Mode or Boot Priority.
  3. Make sure USB Boot is enabled. If it is disabled, toggle it to enabled.
  4. Change the boot order so that the USB drive is at the top of the list.
  5. Save your changes by pressing F10 and confirm to exit BIOS.

Explanation: The laptop boots from devices in the order set here. If USB is not first, it won’t boot from the USB drive.

Step 3: Disable Secure Boot

Windows 11 laptops often have Secure Boot enabled by default. This feature helps protect your system but can prevent booting from some USB drives.

  1. Restart your laptop and enter BIOS again (press F2 during startup).
  2. Navigate to the Security or Boot tab.
  3. Find the Secure Boot option.
  4. Set Secure Boot to Disabled.
  5. Save and exit BIOS by pressing F10.

Why disable Secure Boot? Some USB installers are not signed correctly or recognized by Secure Boot, so disabling it temporarily allows the system to boot from those USB drives.

Step 4: Switch Boot Mode from UEFI to Legacy (Optional)

If your USB still does not boot, switching from UEFI to Legacy Boot mode may help.

  1. Enter BIOS again using the F2 key.
  2. Go to the Boot tab.
  3. Find the Boot Mode or UEFI/Legacy Boot option.
  4. Switch from UEFI to Legacy mode.
  5. Save changes and exit BIOS.

Note: Legacy mode allows older boot methods that may be compatible with your USB installer. However, Windows 11 prefers UEFI mode, so use this only if necessary.

Step 5: Use the Boot Menu to Select USB Drive

Sometimes, manually choosing the USB drive from the boot menu can solve the problem.

  1. Turn off your laptop.
  2. Turn it on and immediately press the F12 key repeatedly. This opens the boot menu.
  3. From the list, select your USB drive.
  4. Press Enter to boot from the USB.

Why this helps: This overrides BIOS boot order temporarily and allows you to pick the USB drive directly.

Step 6: Recreate the Bootable USB Drive

If none of the above steps work, the problem might be with the USB itself.

  • Use a reliable tool like the Microsoft Media Creation Tool or Rufus to create a fresh bootable USB.
  • Make sure to select the correct partition scheme: GPT for UEFI or MBR for Legacy BIOS.
  • Format the USB drive to FAT32 if using UEFI mode.

Sometimes, a corrupted or improperly created USB drive is the cause of boot issues.

FAQs

Why is my Acer Swift 3 not detecting my USB drive?

Your USB might not be bootable, the USB port may be faulty, or Secure Boot might be blocking the device. Try different ports and check BIOS settings.

Can I use any USB drive for booting Windows 11?

Most USB drives work, but it’s best to use one with at least 8GB storage and create a bootable drive properly using official tools.

What is Secure Boot, and should I disable it?

Secure Boot is a security feature that prevents unauthorized software from booting. Disabling it temporarily helps boot from certain USB drives.

What is the difference between UEFI and Legacy boot modes?

UEFI is the modern boot system with faster startup and more security. Legacy is the older BIOS system. Windows 11 prefers UEFI.

My USB boots on another PC but not on Acer Swift 3. What should I do?

This usually points to BIOS settings on your Acer laptop. Double-check USB boot enabled, Secure Boot disabled, and boot order.

When Nothing Works

If you have tried all the steps and your Acer Swift 3 still won’t boot from USB, consider the following options:

  • Update BIOS: Visit Acer’s official website to download and install the latest BIOS update for your Swift 3 model.
  • Contact Acer Support: They can provide model-specific advice or repair options.
  • Use External DVD Drive: If available, try booting from a Windows installation DVD.
  • Check USB with Another Computer: Confirm if the USB installer works elsewhere to rule out USB corruption.

Official Acer support page: https://www.acer.com/ac/en/US/content/support

Conclusion

Booting from USB on an Acer Swift 3 running Windows 11 is usually straightforward, but BIOS settings like Secure Boot and boot order often cause issues. By carefully following the steps to enable USB boot, disable Secure Boot, and adjust boot mode, you can resolve most problems.

If the USB drive itself is problematic, recreating it with the correct tool and format usually fixes the issue. Remember to try the boot menu for a quick device selection, and update BIOS if necessary.

With patience and these detailed instructions, you should be able to get your Acer Swift 3 to boot from USB and complete your Windows 11 installation or repair successfully.

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