Encountering PXE-E61 errors on your computer? Learn how to fix the associated issues (Preboot eXecution Environment) in a couple of steps. Keep reading!
What is PXE?
PXE is a boot mode, which lets your computer scan for and load a bootable operating system available in the network. It does not look for an operating system in your local hard drive. Users normally encounter PXE-E61 errors on the computer whenever the computer searches for an operating system in the network but doesn’t find it. The reason for such behavior could be a misconfigured setting in BIOS. However, it could sometimes occur because of a failed hard drive as well.
Here are some issues that are related to PXE:
- No Boot Device Found. Press any key to reboot the machine.
- PXE-M0F: Exiting Intel Boot Agent.
- PXE-M0F: Exiting Intel PXE ROM.
- And last but important, PXE-E61: Media test failure, check cable
In this article, we will be talking about PXE-E61: Media Test Failure error that is usually seen before the PC starts. It often appears in white text on black background. An additional text is also displayed above this error.
Also Read: How to Fix Bootrec Fixboot Access Denied in Windows 10/11
How to Fix ‘PXE-E61: Media Test Failure’ Error?
- Alter boot order in the BIOS to load an operating system from the hard drive. It will prevent the computer from loading the OS that doesn’t exist in the network.
- Note: – We recommend you put your best efforts to complete the above-mentioned step. Altering the boot order is the easiest way to fix any PXE errors.
- PXE-E61 errors also occur if the hard drive is disconnected or doesn’t function properly. Open BIOS and ensure that the BIOS can detect the local hard drive. You might see a PXE-E61 error if the computer tries to boot to a hard drive that doesn’t function or is disconnected.
- Find the Boot menu and ensure that the sequence titled Boot Drive Order (or something named likewise) displays the local hard drive and doesn’t show “No Boot Drive.” In case, if your BIOS cannot detect the hard drive, switch off the computer, unlock the CPU case (if you are using a desktop), and ensure that HDD cables are correctly attached.
- Note: – If HDD cables are properly connected and your BIOS still can’t detect the local hard drive, there are some issues with cables, hard drive or both are damaged. Your hard drive might get replaced. You can check whether your hard drive has failed via hard drive testing software.
- If you are attempting to load OS from an external hard drive like a USB drive, ensure that the device is bootable. If your device isn’t bootable, BIOS will scan for another bootable device and eventually end using the network option resulting in a PXE-E61 error.
- However, there are many software available that can make your device bootable. You can search “How to Make USB bootable” online to get solutions.
- Again, verify whether the boot order sequence is configured correctly i.e. pointed to USB. The USB device should be connected. If a port is not able to detect your USB drive, plug it into another port.
- You can also disable PXE in the BIOS if you don’t want to access it. You will find PXE with the title Boot to Network or Ethernet. You can find it in the Boot menu.
- If you want to use PXE to load an operating system from a network device, verify that the network cable is plugged in properly. In case of a loose connection, PXE will not communicate with the network device and the PC will end up displaying a PXE-E61 error.
- You can try replacing the cable with another working cable if you feel that the cable isn’t functioning.
- An outdated, or corrupted driver could stop the PC from approaching the network to load OS. Therefore, updating network card drivers could fix PXE-E61: Media Test Failure error.
- Note: – Although you may not be able to update network drivers as your PC is not able to boot itself in the normal mode, you can try booting it in the ‘Safe Mode with networking. You can also modify the boot sequence to a local hard drive to load your operating system. Once your PC has completely functional via ‘Safe Mode with Networking, you can update network drivers and then try booting via network once more.
- A misconfigured BIOS setting could result in a PXE-E61 error. You can empty CMOS to reset BIOS. It will bring the BIOS to its default settings which will hopefully eliminate the error.
Here’s A Wrap!
We have covered all possible scenarios that could lead to PXE-E61: Media Test Failure. Fix this error with the following tips. We hope you will face no issues while performing any of these steps. Feel free to share your experience or doubts in the comments section below. We will put in our best efforts to solve your issue.
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