If you have installed Ubuntu 22.04 in a dual boot setup with Windows 10 on a UEFI system and the GRUB loader is missing, you may encounter difficulties booting into your Ubuntu system. This article will provide you with detailed instructions on how to fix this issue.
Understanding the Issue
GRUB (Grand Unified Bootloader) is the default bootloader for Ubuntu and many other Linux distributions. When you install Ubuntu alongside Windows, GRUB replaces the Windows bootloader in the Master Boot Record (MBR) and gives you the choice of operating system to boot at startup.
Sometimes, however, the GRUB loader might go missing, primarily due to Windows updates, incorrect installation, or BIOS settings, resulting in the inability to boot into Ubuntu. This article will guide you through several solutions to restore the GRUB loader and successfully boot Ubuntu 22.04.
Solution 1: Edit GRUB Configuration File
The first solution involves editing the GRUB configuration file. Here’s how to do it:
- Boot into a live session using your Ubuntu installation media. This could be a USB stick or a DVD.
- Mount the installed partition if it’s not already done automatically. You can do this by opening the ‘Disks’ utility and selecting the appropriate partition.
- Open a terminal by pressing
Ctrl + Alt + T. - Edit the GRUB configuration file by running the command:
sudo gedit /etc/default/grub. This command opens the GRUB configuration file in the text editor. - Add the line
GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=falseto the file. This line tells GRUB to look for other operating systems during the boot process. - Save the file and exit the editor.
- Update the GRUB configuration by running
sudo update-grubin the terminal. This command updates the GRUB bootloader with the new settings. - Reboot your system and check if the GRUB menu appears with the Windows and Ubuntu options.
Solution 2: Use Boot-Repair Tool
If the first solution doesn’t work, you can try using the Boot-Repair tool, a simple tool to repair frequent boot issues. Here are the steps:
- Boot into a live session using your Ubuntu installation media.
- Open a web browser and visit the following link for instructions: Boot-Repair.
- Follow the instructions provided on the page to install and use Boot-Repair to rebuild the GRUB bootloader.
- After the repair process is complete, reboot your system and check if the GRUB menu appears.
Solution 3: Set Correct Boot Path for GRUB
In some cases, setting the correct boot path for GRUB can resolve the issue. Here’s how to do it:
- Boot into Windows 10 and open a terminal as administrator.
- Run the command:
bcdedit /set {bootmgr} path \EFI\ubuntu\grubx64.efi. This command sets the boot path for the GRUB bootloader. - Reboot your system and check if the GRUB menu appears.
Solution 4: Repair Windows Startup
If none of the above solutions work, you can try repairing the Windows startup using the Windows 10 bootable USB flash drive. Here are the steps:
- Boot from the Windows 10 bootable USB flash drive.
- Instead of installing Windows, choose the “Repair Windows” option.
- Select the “Repair Startup” option.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to repair the Windows startup.
- Reboot your system and check if the issue is resolved.
Final Words
Remember, it’s important to ensure that the boot order in the UEFI/BIOS settings is correctly set to prioritize the device you want to boot from. If none of these solutions work or if you need further assistance, it may be helpful to provide more specific details about your system, such as the make and model of your computer, any error messages you encounter, and any other relevant information.
We hope this guide has been helpful in resolving your GRUB loader issues. Happy computing!
UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) is a modern replacement for the traditional BIOS (Basic Input/Output System). It provides a firmware interface for booting an operating system and managing hardware components on a computer.
You can check if you have a UEFI system by accessing the BIOS settings. During the system startup, press a specific key (usually Del, F2, or F10) to enter the BIOS setup. If you see a graphical interface with mouse support, you likely have a UEFI system.
Yes, it is possible to dual boot Ubuntu with Windows 10 on a UEFI system. However, it requires some additional steps compared to a legacy BIOS system.
The GRUB loader may go missing in a dual boot setup due to various reasons, such as Windows updates overwriting the bootloader, incorrect installation of Ubuntu, or changes to the BIOS settings.
The GRUB_DISABLE_OS_PROBER=false line tells GRUB to search for other operating systems during the boot process. Enabling this option ensures that the GRUB menu displays all available operating systems, including Windows and Ubuntu.
Yes, Boot-Repair can be used to fix boot issues on various Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, as well as on some versions of Windows.
To access the BIOS settings on a UEFI system, restart your computer and press a specific key (usually Del, F2, or F10) repeatedly until the BIOS setup screen appears.
Solution 4 is specifically for repairing the Windows startup. If you only have Ubuntu installed and no Windows, Solution 4 may not be applicable to your situation.
If none of the solutions work, it may be helpful to seek assistance from online forums or communities dedicated to Ubuntu or consult with a technical expert who can provide further guidance based on your specific system configuration.
