2/14/23, 11:59 AM HP Notebook PCs - Recovering the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) | HP® Customer Support

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HP Notebook PCs - Recovering the BIOS (Basic Input Output

System)
This document is for HP notebook computers, including notebooks with HP SureStart architecture.

The BIOS is the first software to run after turning on the computer. If the BIOS on your computer becomes corrupted,
the computer fails to boot to Windows. The BIOS can be corrupted during normal operation, through environmental
conditions (such as a power surge or outage), from a failed BIOS upgrade or damage from a virus. If the BIOS is
corrupted, the system automatically attempts to restore the BIOS from a hidden partition when the computer is
restarted. This document covers other methods to restore the BIOS if the automatic BIOS restoration does not work.

If you experience any of the following symptoms after restarting the computer, recover the BIOS.

Windows does not start and the Caps Lock or Num Lock keys blink, or the computer beeps 2 times
Power light or charging light continues to blink
A BIOS APPLICATION ERROR 501 message displays
The computer stops at a black or blank screen when powered on
The computer turns on and you might hear the internal fan, but the display is blank and Windows does not start

NOTE: For business computers, your company IT department or local IT service might manage BIOS settings.
Confirm this if you cannot access BIOS settings or restore the BIOS.

Recover the BIOS using a key press combination

Many HP computers have an HP BIOS Restore tool that might be able to recover the BIOS from an earlier version and restore basic
functionality. This tool might or might not work in the event of BIOS corruption depending on many factors, but is worth trying in the
event the BIOS is corrupted.

VIDEO

Restoring the BIOS on HP Computers with a Key Press Combination

Learn how to restore the BIOS on your HP computer with a key press combination.

1. Turn off the computer, and then connect the power cord.
2. Press and hold the Windows key and the B key at the same time, and then press and hold the Power button for 2 to 3 seconds.
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help?

3. Release the Power button but continue pressing the Windows and B keys. You might hear a series of beeps.
If the HP BIOS Update screen does not display, repeat the previous steps but press the Windows key and the V key. If the screen
still does not display, your computer might not support the feature or there is a hard drive issue. Continue to the next section to
Recover the BIOS using a USB recovery drive.
If the Power light turns off, the Power button was held too long. Repeat the previous steps, making sure to hold the Power
button for only 2 to 3 seconds.
If a BIOS recovery message repeatedly displays, continue to the next section to Recover the BIOS using a USB recovery drive.
If a message that the computer improperly shut down or a boot problem is detected displays, follow the on-screen instructions to
resolve the error.
If Windows starts, update to the latest BIOS version. Go to HP Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS for more information.
The HP BIOS Update screen displays and the recovery begins automatically.

If this recovery method fails, use another working computer to create a BIOS recovery flash drive to install the latest
BIOS file.

Recover the BIOS using a USB recovery drive

If you are unable to recover the last working BIOS version, install a BIOS recovery file from the HP website using a USB flash drive.

Create a USB recovery drive

Use a second working computer with an active internet connection to create a BIOS recovery USB flash drive.

VIDEO

Creating a BIOS Recovery Flash Drive for HP Notebooks

Learn how to create a BIOS recovery flash drive for HP notebooks that have had
hard drive failure or no longer have the HP_Tools volume or partition.

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1. Get the product number for the original notebook that requires a BIOS recovery. This number is typically found on a labelhelp?
on
the bottom of the notebook or on the box it shipped in. Go to How Do I Find My Model Number or Product Number? for
additional options.

NOTE: The general or series name near the keyboard or on the frame around the display is not specific
enough for identifying correct download files.

2. Insert a blank USB flash drive into an available port on the second computer.
3. Go to the HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads page.
4. Navigate to the product page for your computer.
5. Select BIOS, and then review the details of the latest available version or the specific version recommended for the recovery.
Confirm it is the correct BIOS update before proceeding.

 CAUTION: Read the Details section to confirm that it applies to the computer. Installing the wrong BIOS
could cause the computer to stop working.

6. Click Download, and then click Run.

7. Click Yes on the User Account Control screen.

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8. On the InstallShield Wizard window, click Next.

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help?

9. Select I accept the terms in the license agreement, and then click Next.

10. In the HP BIOS Update and Recovery window, click Next.

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11. Select Create Recovery USB flash drive, and then click Next.

12. Select your USB flash drive, and then click Next.

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13. Wait while the BIOS files copy to the USB flash drive.

14. When The recovery flash drive was created successfully displays, click Finish.

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15. If necessary, click Cancel to close the update utility.

16. Remove the flash drive from the computer.

Install the BIOS recovery file

Reset the CMOS

This only applies to consumer notebooks.

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In some cases the automatic BIOS recovery fails because of corrupted CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide
Need
Semiconductor) data. The CMOS stores BIOS settings. Try this procedure to reset the CMOS and recover the BIOS.
help?
1. Turn off the computer.
2. Press and hold the Windows + V keys.
3. Still pressing those keys, press and hold the Power button on the computer for 2-3 seconds, and then release the Power button,
but continue pressing and holding the Windows + V keys until the CMOS Reset screen displays or you hear beeping sounds.
At the completion of a successful CMOS Reset, a message similar to the one below displays:

4. Press Enter to restart the computer.

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