How To Fix Ubuntu Not Booting After Installing Alongside Windows 10

In this article, we will explore various solutions to a common issue encountered by many dual-boot users – Ubuntu not booting after being installed alongside Windows 10. This issue can occur due to several reasons, including incorrect BIOS settings, improper installation methods, or bootloader problems.

Ensuring Correct BIOS Settings

The first step in resolving this issue is to ensure that your motherboard BIOS is set to boot Ubuntu first. This allows the GRUB (GRand Unified Bootloader) to load, giving you the option to choose your operating system on each boot.

To access your BIOS settings, restart your computer and press the designated key (usually F2, F10, F12, or DEL) during the startup process. Once in the BIOS, navigate to the boot order settings and prioritize Ubuntu.

Installing Ubuntu using the same UEFI/BIOS method as Windows

If your Windows installation is using UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface), you need to boot the Ubuntu installation USB in UEFI mode as well. This ensures compatibility and proper installation.

To check if your Windows is installed in UEFI mode, you can use the following command in the Windows Command Prompt:

wmic path Win32_ComputerSystem get BiosCharacteristics

If the output includes ‘UEFI’, then your Windows is installed in UEFI mode.

Following the Official Ubuntu Tutorial

The official Ubuntu tutorial provides a comprehensive guide on installing Ubuntu alongside Windows. Although it may not cover dual boot directly, there should be a tooltip with a link to instructions for installing alongside Windows. You can access the tutorial here.

Using the “Grub2Win” Tool in Windows

“Grub2Win” is a useful tool that can be installed in Windows to manage your bootloaders. If it detects your Ubuntu installation, you can set it as the default bootloader. This will work alongside your existing Windows bootloader in the EFI partition. You can download “Grub2Win” from this link.

Installing GRUB from a Live USB

Another method to resolve this issue is by installing GRUB from a live USB. Here’s how to do it:

1. Boot from a USB and choose the “Try Ubuntu” option.
2. Once Ubuntu loads, open the terminal by pressing Ctrl+Alt+T.
3. In the terminal, type the following command:

sudo apt install grub

This command installs the GRUB bootloader. The sudo command gives you superuser privileges, apt is the package handling utility in Ubuntu, and install is the command to install a package.

After the installation, shut down the system, remove the USB, and restart. Check your BIOS/UEFI settings to see if you can now boot from Ubuntu.

Please note that the package name for GRUB may vary. If you encounter an error stating that “grub” has no installation candidate, try using “grub2-common” or “grub-pc” instead.

Conclusion

If none of these solutions work, it may be necessary to seek further assistance or consult Ubuntu support forums for more specific guidance. Dual-booting can be a complex process, but with the right tools and knowledge, you can overcome any issues that arise.

Remember, always back up your data before making significant changes to your system. This ensures that you can restore your system to a previous state if anything goes wrong.