The phrase "Secure Boot enabled but not active" means that the Secure Boot feature is turned on in the BIOS/UEFI settings, but it is not currently functioning or recognized as active by the operating system. This usually happens due to reasons such as the Compatibility Support Module (CSM) being enabled, outdated BIOS firmware, or because the platform keys (PK) required for Secure Boot are missing or need to be restored. Common reasons for this status include:
- CSM (Compatibility Support Module) is enabled, which can interfere with Secure Boot activation.
- BIOS or UEFI firmware is outdated and lacks proper Secure Boot support.
- The platform keys for Secure Boot have been deleted or corrupted, putting the system into setup mode rather than active mode.
Typical fixes to resolve "Secure Boot enabled but not active" are:
- Updating the BIOS/UEFI firmware to the latest version from the motherboard manufacturer.
- Disabling CSM in the BIOS/UEFI settings to allow Secure Boot to become active.
- Resetting or restoring Secure Boot platform keys in BIOS by switching the mode between Custom and Standard and loading factory default keys.
- Enabling Secure Boot properly after making these changes and saving the BIOS settings.
In summary, the Secure Boot feature is turned on in firmware but not fully operational due to configuration or firmware issues. Disabling CSM, updating BIOS, and restoring platform keys usually resolves this, making Secure Boot active and compliant with Windows 11 requirements.
