If your computer is not booting from a USB drive, you can troubleshoot the issue with these steps:

Check Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI: Restart your computer and access the BIOS/UEFI settings by pressing the designated key (often Esc, Del, F2, or F10) during startup. Ensure that the USB drive is set as the first boot option in the boot order.

Try Another USB Port: Connect the USB drive to a different USB port. Some ports may not provide sufficient power or have connectivity issues.

Use a Different USB Drive: If possible, try using a different USB drive. The drive may be faulty or not properly formatted for booting.

Check USB Drive Format: Ensure that the USB drive is formatted correctly and has a bootable operating system. Tools like Rufus or UNetbootin can help create bootable USB drives.

Secure Boot and Legacy Mode: In the BIOS/UEFI settings, check if Secure Boot is enabled. If so, try disabling it. Additionally, experiment with enabling Legacy Mode if your system supports it.

Update BIOS/UEFI Firmware: Outdated firmware can cause boot issues. Check your computer manufacturer's website for any available BIOS/UEFI updates and install them cautiously.

Test on Another Computer: If possible, test the USB drive on another computer to ensure it is indeed bootable.

By systematically going through these steps, you can identify and resolve the factors preventing your computer from booting from a USB drive, enabling you to install or troubleshoot the operating system as needed.

Read also: How to resolve a computer not recognizing USB devices