What Start PXE Over IPv4 Means and How to Fix It

When you turn on your computer and see the message “Start PXE over IPv4”, it usually means your system is trying to boot from a network instead of your hard drive. This happens when your PC can’t find a working operating system (OS) on the usual drive, so it looks for one over the network using a feature called PXE.

It sounds complicated, but don’t worry — this issue is quite common and easy to fix. Let’s start by understanding what PXE is and why this message appears.

What Is PXE?

PXE (Preboot Execution Environment) is a feature that allows a computer to start up or install an operating system through a network connection instead of from a hard drive, USB stick, or DVD.

It’s mainly used in businesses and IT environments to install or repair systems quickly over a local network. Instead of plugging in a drive to every computer, admins can deploy an OS remotely to many machines at once.

In most home computers, PXE isn’t something you’ll ever need. But if your PC can’t find a local boot device (like your SSD or HDD), it may automatically try PXE as a backup method — that’s when the “Start PXE over IPv4” message appears.

Why This Error Appears

Your computer’s BIOS or UEFI firmware controls how it starts up. If it can’t find a bootable operating system, it’ll move down the boot list — and eventually try PXE.

Common reasons include:

• The system drive (SSD/HDD) isn’t detected or has failed.
• The boot order in BIOS is incorrect.
• Secure Boot or Legacy Boot settings are conflicting.
• The Wake-on-LAN feature is interfering.
• A BIOS glitch or outdated firmware.

How to Fix “Start PXE Over IPv4”

Here are several easy methods to fix the problem. Try them one by one.

1. Change the Boot Order

Your BIOS decides which device to check first when starting the system. If the network boot (PXE) is at the top, your PC will try to boot from the network instead of your hard drive.

Steps:

1. Restart your PC and repeatedly press the BIOS key — usually F1, F2, Del, or Esc — before Windows starts.
2. Go to the Boot or Startup tab.
3. You’ll see a list of devices (HDD, SSD, USB, Network, etc.).
4. Move your hard drive (SSD/HDD) to the top of the list using the arrow keys.
5. Press F10 to save and exit.

Your PC should now boot from the correct drive.

2. Disable Secure Boot and Legacy Support

Secure Boot is a safety feature that only allows verified software to load during startup. Sometimes, it can block normal boot processes. Legacy Boot, on the other hand, is used for older drives and may cause conflicts with modern systems.

Steps:

1. Enter BIOS again.
2. Open the Security or Boot tab.
3. Find Secure Boot and set it to Disabled.
4. Find Legacy Support or Legacy Mode and disable that as well.
5. Save and exit BIOS (usually F10).

This ensures your system boots cleanly using the right mode.

3. Disable Wake-on-LAN

Wake-on-LAN is a feature that lets other devices turn your computer on through the network. It can sometimes confuse the system during boot.

Steps:

1. Enter BIOS and open the Power or Advanced tab.
2. Find the Wake-on-LAN option.
3. Set it to Disabled.
4. Save and exit.

Reboot and see if the PXE message disappears.

4. Reset BIOS to Default Settings

If the issue started recently, your BIOS configuration might have changed accidentally. Resetting it to default often fixes boot issues.

Steps:

1. Go to BIOS.
2. Look for an option like Load Setup Defaults, Restore Defaults, or Reset to Factory Settings (usually under the Exit tab).
3. Select it, confirm, then save and exit.

Your system will restart with default BIOS settings, which usually restores normal boot behavior.

5. Update the BIOS

If none of the above methods work, your BIOS firmware might be outdated or corrupted. Updating it can solve deeper compatibility problems — but proceed carefully.

Steps:

1. Boot into Windows (if possible) and search for System Information (msinfo in the search bar).
2. Note the BIOS Version/Date and your motherboard model.
3. Go to your computer or motherboard manufacturer’s official website.
4. Download the latest BIOS update for your model.
5. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions to install it — usually by placing the update file on a USB drive and applying it through BIOS.

Important: Don’t turn off your computer during the BIOS update. If the power goes out or the process is interrupted, your system might fail to boot.

When to Worry

The “Start PXE over IPv4” message by itself doesn’t mean your computer is broken — it just can’t find the proper boot device. But if your hard drive or SSD doesn’t show up in BIOS, that might point to a hardware issue. Check the drive’s cable connections or test it on another PC.

Summary

Conclusion

PXE is a powerful tool for IT professionals, but for everyday users, it’s usually just a sign that the computer can’t find Windows on the hard drive.

Luckily, fixing it doesn’t take long. Adjust your BIOS boot order, disable network boot options, and make sure your drive is detected. With these quick steps, your PC should start up normally again.