With the release of Battlefield 6, players have been eager to jump into the game’s immersive and explosive multiplayer environments. However, a number of users have been met with a frustrating roadblock: the dreaded “Secure Boot is not enabled” error message. If you’ve encountered this issue when launching the game through EA or Steam, don’t worry—you’re not alone, and there is a solution.
TL;DR
If you’ve received a Secure Boot error while trying to play Battlefield 6, it means your PC’s BIOS settings are not configured to enable Secure Boot, which is now mandatory for some anti-cheat systems. The fix involves accessing your BIOS menu and enabling both UEFI boot mode and Secure Boot. This guide will walk you through each step in detail for a smooth and permanent resolution. Always back up important data before making BIOS changes.
What Is Secure Boot and Why Does Battlefield 6 Require It?
Secure Boot is a security standard developed by members of the PC industry to ensure that a device boots using only software that is trusted by the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). It’s a feature found in the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI), which is the modern replacement for legacy BIOS.
In recent years, Secure Boot has become increasingly critical for protecting against rootkits and other low-level malware. With the added emphasis on game integrity and anti-cheat programs in competitive titles like Battlefield 6, Secure Boot is a requirement to prevent hackers from injecting malicious code at the system level before software loads.
Why You’re Seeing the Secure Boot Error
Users typically encounter the Secure Boot error when:
- Windows is installed in Legacy BIOS mode instead of UEFI.
- Secure Boot is disabled in the BIOS settings.
- Your PC’s firmware does not support Secure Boot (rare on modern systems).
These technical conditions mean the anti-cheat system bundled with Battlefield 6, possibly EA AntiCheat or a third-party partner, cannot verify the user environment is secure, so it halts the game from launching.
Steps to Enable Secure Boot on Your PC
Below is a step-by-step process to help you enable Secure Boot and resolve the error, allowing you to enjoy Battlefield 6 as intended.
1. Check Your Current Boot Mode
Before entering your BIOS, you can check if your system is currently running in UEFI or Legacy BIOS mode.
- Press Windows + R to open the Run dialog.
- Type
msinfo32and hit Enter. - Look for the line that says BIOS Mode.
- If it says UEFI, you can enable Secure Boot with minimal changes.
- If it says Legacy, you’ll need to convert your drive to support UEFI.
Note: Converting from Legacy to UEFI may require reinstallation of Windows or additional steps involving disk conversion. Always back up your important data.
2. Enter the BIOS/UEFI Settings
Restart your PC and use the appropriate key to enter BIOS/UEFI settings. Common keys include:
- DEL or F2 for most custom-built PCs or high-end motherboards
- F10 for HP systems
- F12 or ESC for some Lenovo systems
Your boot screen (logo displayed at startup) may also show the key required to access BIOS settings.
3. Enable UEFI Mode
In order to enable Secure Boot, your system must be running in UEFI mode. If you’re in Legacy mode, look for an option tied to Boot Mode or UEFI/Legacy Boot and change it from Legacy to UEFI.
Be cautious—changing to UEFI may prevent your current OS from booting if it wasn’t installed in UEFI mode.
4. Enable Secure Boot
Once UEFI is active, locate the Secure Boot setting in your BIOS. This is typically found under the Boot, Security, or Authentication tabs, depending on your motherboard manufacturer.
- Set Secure Boot to Enabled.
- If prompted to configure a platform key (PK), choose the default or factory option.
- Save and exit the BIOS (usually F10) and allow Windows to boot normally.
5. Verify Secure Boot Status in Windows
Back in Windows, ensure Secure Boot is properly enabled:
- Open the Run dialog with Windows + R.
- Type
msinfo32again and press Enter. - Look for Secure Boot State. It should now say On.
Common Issues and Troubleshooting
Problem 1: Secure Boot Greyed Out
This is common if your system is not yet set to UEFI Boot Mode. Change your BIOS settings from Legacy to UEFI first, then revisit Secure Boot settings after allowing Windows to restart in the correct mode.
Problem 2: Game Still Not Launching
Try the following after Secure Boot is enabled:
- Reboot your PC completely (not just sleep or hibernate).
- Right-click Battlefield 6 from the EA App or Steam and choose Run as Administrator.
- Reinstall or repair EA AntiCheat through the game’s directory.
Problem 3: Missing Secure Boot Option
If your PC or motherboard is more than 8–10 years old, it may not support Secure Boot. In this case, you may not be able to play the game unless settings are updated through firmware or a hardware upgrade is performed.
Is It Safe to Enable Secure Boot?
Yes. If configured correctly, Secure Boot does not impact general performance and only enhances boot-time security. It’s particularly beneficial for gamers who want to avoid suspicious software interfering with the system or online games. However, dual-boot users or those using certain unsigned drivers may need to disable it periodically.
Final Tips
Here are some final best practices when enabling Secure Boot:
- Create a full system backup before making BIOS changes.
- Update your BIOS firmware if it’s outdated, especially if you’re missing the Secure Boot option.
- Only download anti-cheat software directly from EA or your game client. Avoid third-party patches or fixes.
Additionally, remember to check for routine Windows updates and GPU driver updates as these can also impact compatibility with newly released games like Battlefield 6.
Conclusion
Battlefield 6 is designed to run in highly secure environments to ensure fairness and stability, especially in competitive play. By enabling Secure Boot, you’re not only resolving an immediate game-blocking error—you’re also enhancing your system’s overall security posture. While entering BIOS settings may feel intimidating, carefully following the documented steps above will help you update your system confidently. Return to the battlefield soon—safely and securely.
