Ubuntu 22.04, the latest iteration of the popular Linux distribution, has been largely well-received by the open-source community. However, some users have reported encountering a “Reset System” boot loop issue after installing the OS. This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to troubleshoot and resolve this issue.
Understanding the Boot Loop Issue
The “Reset System” boot loop is a problem where the system continuously restarts, never fully booting into Ubuntu. This can be caused by various factors, such as incorrect boot settings, conflicts with the BIOS, or issues with the boot files themselves.
Solution 1: Check Your Boot Settings
The first step in resolving the boot loop issue is to check your system’s boot settings. Some users have found success by switching from legacy boot to EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface) boot and enabling secure boot in their BIOS settings.
How to Switch to EFI Boot and Enable Secure Boot
- Restart your computer and enter the BIOS settings. This is usually done by pressing a specific key (such as F2, F10, or Del) during startup.
- Once in the BIOS settings, navigate to the Boot tab.
- Change the boot mode from legacy to EFI.
- Enable the Secure Boot option.
- Save your changes and exit the BIOS.
After making these changes, reinstall Ubuntu and manually select the appropriate boot file in the BIOS. This should resolve the boot loop issue.
Solution 2: Disable Fast Boot
On certain systems, particularly those from HP, disabling “fast boot” in the BIOS has resolved the boot loop issue.
How to Disable Fast Boot
- Enter the BIOS settings during startup.
- Navigate to the Boot or Advanced tab.
- Locate the Fast Boot option and disable it.
- Save your changes and exit the BIOS.
Solution 3: Modify Boot Options
In some cases, the system may be attempting to boot from the wrong location, causing the boot loop. To resolve this, you can define a customized boot option in the BIOS, specifying the correct path to the EFI file.
How to Modify Boot Options
- Enter the BIOS settings during startup.
- Navigate to the Boot tab.
- Create a new boot option.
- Specify the correct path to the EFI file, which is usually
\EFI\ubuntu\grubx64.efi. - Save your changes and exit the BIOS.
Solution 4: Remove Conflicting Files
In one case, a user discovered that the fbx64.efi file installed by grub-install in Ubuntu 22.04 was causing the “Reset System” issue. By removing this file from the /EFI/BOOT/ directory, the UEFI secure boot started working correctly.
How to Remove Conflicting Files
- Boot your system using a Live USB or DVD.
- Open a terminal.
- Mount the EFI partition using the command
sudo mount /dev/sda1 /mnt. Replace/dev/sda1with the actual location of your EFI partition. - Navigate to the
/EFI/BOOT/directory using the commandcd /mnt/EFI/BOOT/. - Remove the
fbx64.efifile using the commandsudo rm fbx64.efi. - Reboot your system.
Please note that these solutions may not work for everyone, as the underlying cause of the boot loop can vary. If you’re still experiencing issues, consider seeking help from the Ubuntu community or a professional technician.
Conclusion
The “Reset System” boot loop issue in Ubuntu 22.04 can be frustrating, but it’s often resolvable with some troubleshooting. By checking your boot settings, disabling fast boot, modifying boot options, or removing conflicting files, you can usually get your system up and running again. However, if you’re still encountering problems, don’t hesitate to seek help from the Ubuntu community or a professional.
The "Reset System" boot loop issue refers to a problem where the Ubuntu 22.04 system continuously restarts and fails to fully boot into the operating system.
The boot loop issue can be caused by various factors, such as incorrect boot settings, conflicts with the BIOS, or issues with the boot files themselves.
To check your system’s boot settings, you need to enter the BIOS settings during startup. This is usually done by pressing a specific key (such as F2, F10, or Del) when your computer starts up.
To switch to EFI boot and enable secure boot, you need to enter the BIOS settings, navigate to the Boot tab, change the boot mode from legacy to EFI, and enable the Secure Boot option. Save your changes and exit the BIOS.
To disable fast boot in the BIOS, you need to enter the BIOS settings, navigate to the Boot or Advanced tab, locate the Fast Boot option, and disable it. Save your changes and exit the BIOS.
If the system is attempting to boot from the wrong location, you can modify the boot options in the BIOS. Enter the BIOS settings, navigate to the Boot tab, create a new boot option, and specify the correct path to the EFI file (usually \EFI\ubuntu\grubx64.efi). Save your changes and exit the BIOS.
Yes, in some cases, removing conflicting files can resolve the boot loop issue. For example, removing the fbx64.efi file installed by grub-install in Ubuntu 22.04 from the /EFI/BOOT/ directory can fix the UEFI secure boot problem.
If none of the solutions mentioned in the article work for you, it is recommended to seek help from the Ubuntu community or consult a professional technician for further assistance.
Hello Jacob,
Your explanation is great and the most promising way to fix an issue on my HP elitebook 845.
I wanted to create an ubuntu 22.04 installing it into a pendrive. Process was successful, but my laptop does not enter to windows anymore. It was showing “Reset System” boot loop.
I removed the file “fbx64.efi” and now I got:
Failed to open \EFI\BOOT\grubx64.efi – Not found
start_image() returned Not Found, falling back to default loader
I dont know where is indicated in BIOS to try to access \EFI\BOOT\grubx64.efi
Notice that my intention was not to modify HD (in fact SSD) from my laptop, but using ubuntu from a USB. However I understand this ubuntu version does not take into account the modification is done into USB and modified anyway the EFI partition on HD.
Do you have any idea where it is set the reference \EFI\BOOT\grubx64.efi in order to modify to my real windows efi file: /EFI/Microsoft/Boot/bootmgfw.efi ?
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