To make your drive visible in BIOS for a Windows 11 setup on the ASUS TUF FX516PM, you must disable Secure Boot and switch the SATA mode from RAID to AHCI. This change allows the standard installation media to detect the NVMe storage controller correctly. You can access these settings by pressing F2 during startup and navigating to the Advanced tab.
Accessing the BIOS Menu
The first step is entering the UEFI firmware interface where storage controllers are configured. Restart your ASUS TUF FX516PM laptop completely. As soon as the ASUS logo appears on the screen, repeatedly press the
F2 key. Do not hold it down; tap it rapidly until the BIOS utility loads. If you miss the window, enter Windows, hold
Shift while clicking Restart, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options > UEFI Firmware Settings, and reboot. Once inside the BIOS, use the arrow keys to move to the Advanced tab. This section contains the hardware configuration options that directly impact drive visibility.
Changing SATA Operation Mode
By default, many modern laptops use Intel RST (Rapid Storage Technology) or similar RAID modes to manage storage. The Windows 11 installer often fails to see drives when this mode is active because it lacks the necessary drivers in the initial setup phase. Navigate to the System Configuration or SATA Configuration submenu within the Advanced tab. Look for an option labeled SATA Operation, SATA Mode, or VMD Controller. Change this setting from RAID or Intel RST to AHCI. AHCI is the standard protocol that ensures broad compatibility with operating system installers. Confirm the change by selecting Yes when prompted to save modifications.
Disabling VMD Controller
If your specific BIOS version lists a VMD (Volume Management Device) Controller option, ensure it is set to Disabled. Enabling VMD hides the raw NVMe drive from the OS installer, requiring you to load custom drivers manually. Disabling it exposes the drive directly to the motherboard’s native controller, which the Windows 11 setup program recognizes automatically. This step is critical for users who previously installed Windows using OEM tools and now wish to perform a clean install.
Adjusting Security and Boot Settings
Windows 11 has strict security requirements, but the initial installation process may conflict with certain default ASUS security features. Go to the Security tab in the BIOS menu. Locate the Secure Boot option. While Windows 11 requires Secure Boot to be enabled after installation, some users report that disabling it temporarily helps the installer recognize the drive if other issues persist. However, the primary fix for visibility is usually the AHCI switch mentioned above. If you choose to toggle Secure Boot, set it to Disabled for the installation, then re-enable it once Windows is running. Also, ensure Fast Boot is disabled to allow full hardware initialization during POST.
Saving and Installing
After making these changes, press
F10 to save the configuration and exit. Select Yes to confirm. The laptop will restart. Insert your Windows 11 USB installation media. When the boot menu appears, select the USB drive. The installation should now proceed to the disk selection screen without showing "No Drives Found." Follow the on-screen prompts to partition and format the drive. Once Windows installs, you can update your chipset drivers from the ASUS support page to restore any performance benefits of the original storage configuration. For more detailed troubleshooting on related setup issues, see our guide on
How to Make your Asus TUF FX516PM Laptop Drive Visible for Windows 11 Setup.
Troubleshooting Common Errors
If the drive still does not appear, verify that the USB stick is formatted correctly as FAT32 or NTFS depending on your EFI partition scheme. Ensure the BIOS date and time are correct, as incorrect dates can cause certificate validation errors during boot. Check if the NVMe drive is physically seated properly, although this is rare for pre-built laptops. If you encounter blue screens after installation, reinstall the latest storage drivers from the manufacturer’s website.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will switching to AHCI affect my existing data?
Switching from RAID to AHCI in the BIOS will not delete your files, but it may prevent Windows from booting if it was already installed in RAID mode. You would need to perform a clean installation of Windows to avoid boot errors. Always back up important data before changing storage controller settings.
Do I need to disable Secure Boot permanently?
No, you do not need to keep Secure Boot disabled. It is recommended to enable Secure Boot again after Windows 11 is fully installed and updated. This ensures your system meets Microsoft’s security requirements for future updates and feature packs.
What if my BIOS doesn't have an AHCI option?
Some newer ASUS models hide the SATA mode under the VMD Controller setting. If you only see VMD, disable it to expose the drive. If neither option exists, check for a BIOS update via the MyASUS application, as older versions may lack proper NVMe detection capabilities.
Can I use Intel RST drivers instead?
Yes, you can load Intel RST drivers during the Windows setup by downloading them from the Intel website and placing them on your USB drive. Click Load Driver and browse to the folder when the disk selection screen appears. However, switching to AHCI is generally simpler and avoids driver conflicts later.
Why is my USB drive not showing up in the boot menu?
Ensure your USB stick is plugged into a USB 3.0 port, typically identified by a blue interior. Disable Fast Startup in Windows and Fast Boot in BIOS to allow the system to scan all USB devices during power-on. Try a different USB port if the first one fails to initialize correctly.