The BIOS is the first firmware 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 steps to restore the BIOS if the automatic BIOS restoration does not work.
If your computer enters the automatic BIOS recovery process, the screen either remains black or a pop-up window displays the progress of the BIOS recovery. If the restoration is successful, the computer displays the following message:
To dismiss the message, press enter.
Note:
If you do not press enter, the computer automatically restarts after 15 to 20 seconds.
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 is displayed
-
The computer stops at a black or blank screen when turned 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 IT department or local IT service might manage BIOS settings. Confirm this if you cannot access BIOS settings or restore the BIOS.
HP PCs with the HP Sure Start security feature do not support BIOS recovery using the manual, 4-in-1 USB key, or USB recovery drive methods. HP Sure Start automatically repairs HP BIOS and HP firmware corruption using the HP Endpoint Security Controller-isolated backup copy of the HP BIOS and HP firmware.
| PCs with HP Sure Start | PCs without HP Sure Start | |
|---|---|---|
| CMOS reset procedure | X | X |
| Automatic BIOS recovery | X | X |
| Manual BIOS recovery (Windows + b) | X | |
| 4-in-1 USB recovery | X | |
| USB recovery drive procedure | X |
To determine if your PC was released with HP Sure Start, check the product specifications for the PC model. PCs with HP Sure Start indicate that it is enabled on the HP logo screen when the computer is started.
HP Sure Start was enabled for business notebooks in the following generations and later.
| CMIT NB Series | Generation where HP Sure Start was enabled |
|---|---|
| 400 Series | G7 |
| 400 (ZHAN) Series | G3 |
| 600 Series | G4 |
| 700 Series | G5 |
| 800 Series | G3 |
| 1000 Series | G1 |
| Education Series | G9 |
Manually recover the BIOS
If your computer BIOS still does not reset, you can try to recover the BIOS using a key press combination or a USB recovery drive.
Note:
These recovery processes are not supported on computers with the HP Sure Start feature.
Recover the BIOS using a key press combination
Learn how to 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 function. This tool might not be able to recover the BIOS, depending on the cause of the corruption.
Note:
This recovery process is not supported on computers with the HP Sure Start feature.
-
Turn off the computer and be sure that the AC adapter is connected to power.
-
Press and hold the Windows + b keys, and then simultaneously press the power button.
-
After 2 to 3 seconds, continue to press and hold the Windows + b keys, but release the power button. You might hear a series of beeps.
-
If the HP BIOS Update screen is not displayed, repeat the previous steps but press the Windows + v keys. If the screen is still not displayed, your computer might not support the feature or there is a hard drive issue.
-
If the power light turns off, the power button was held too long. Repeat the previous steps, making sure that you press and hold the power button for only 2 to 3 seconds.
-
If a BIOS recovery message is displayed repeatedly, see Recover the BIOS using a USB recovery drive.
-
If a message displays that the computer improperly shut down or a boot problem is detected, follow the on-screen instructions to resolve the error.
-
If Windows starts, update to the latest BIOS version. Go to HP Consumer Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) (Windows) or HP Business Notebook PCs - Updating the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) for more information.
The HP BIOS Update screen is displayed 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.
Note:
This recovery process is not supported on computers with the HP Sure Start feature.
Create a USB recovery drive
Use a second working computer with an active internet connection to create a BIOS recovery USB flash drive. To recover the BIOS, the necessary BIOS binary recovery files must be present on a storage device connected to the failed system.
-
Get the product number for the original notebook that requires a BIOS recovery. This number is typically found on a label on the bottom of the notebook or on the box it shipped in.
Go to Find product and serial numbers for HP PCs, printers, and accessories for additional options.
Note:
The general or series name near the keyboard or on the frame around the screen is not specific enough to identify the correct download files.
-
Insert a blank USB flash drive into an available port on the second computer.
Note:
Do not use a USB Type-C flash drive on Intel platforms. USB Type-C flash drives are not supported for crisis recovery because of design limitations.
-
Go to the HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads page.
-
Navigate to the product page for your computer.
-
Select BIOS, and then review the details of the latest available version or the specific version recommended for the recovery. Confirm that 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.
-
Click Download > Run.
-
Click Yes on the User Account Control screen.
-
On the InstallShield Wizard window, click Next.
-
Select I accept the terms in the license agreement, and then click Next.
-
In the HP BIOS Update and Recovery window, click Next.
-
Select Create Recovery USB flash drive, and then click Next.
HP Consumer Notebook PCs
HP Business Notebook PCs
-
Select your USB flash drive, and then click Next.
HP Consumer Notebook PCs
HP Business Notebook PCs
-
Wait while the BIOS files copy to the drive.
-
When The recovery flash drive was created successfully message is displayed, click Finish.
-
If necessary, click Cancel to close the update utility.
-
Remove the USB flash drive from the computer.
Install the BIOS recovery file
Use the HP emergency BIOS recovery feature with the recovery flash drive to recover the BIOS.
-
Turn off the notebook that requires the BIOS recovery, and then wait 5 to 10 seconds.
-
Make sure that the AC adapter is connected to the notebook during the recovery process.
Note:
Do not use a USB Type-C flash drive on Intel platforms. USB Type-C flash drives are not supported for crisis recovery because of design limitations.
-
Insert the USB flash drive with the BIOS file into an available USB port on the notebook.
-
Press and hold the Windows + b keys, and then simultaneously press and hold the power button.
On some notebook models, you instead might need to press and hold the Windows + v keys.
-
After 2 to 3 seconds, continue to press and hold the Windows + b keys, but release the power button. You might hear a series of beeps.
-
If a message is displayed that the computer improperly shut down or a boot problem is detected, follow the on-screen instructions to resolve the error.
-
If HP BIOS Update is not displayed or the issue persists, your computer might not support this function or there is a hard drive issue. Contact HP Customer Support for assistance.
Note:
The HP BIOS Update screen is displayed and the recovery begins automatically. Follow any on-screen prompts to continue the startup and complete the recovery.
-
FAQs
What does it mean when system BIOS is being recovered? ›
On startup, you might see a System BIOS Recovery has occurred error message indicating that the system found and corrected an error in the BIOS. If the BIOS has been corrupted, a blink code flashes on the keyboard consisting of two blinks of the Caps Lock or Num Lock lights.
How do I fix HP BIOS corruption failure? ›Press and hold the Windows + b keys, and then simultaneously press and hold the power button. On some notebook models, you instead might need to press and hold the Windows + v keys. After 2 to 3 seconds, continue to press and hold the Windows + b keys, but release the power button.
How do I reset my HP laptop BIOS? ›Turn on the computer, and then click F10, until the BIOS opens. Under the Main tab, use the up and down arrow keys to select Restore Defaults. Select Yes. Under the Main tab, use the up and down arrow keys to select Save Changes and Exit.
What happens when you recover BIOS? ›Resetting your BIOS restores it to the last saved configuration, so the procedure can also be used to revert your system after making other changes. Whatever situation you may be dealing with, remember that resetting your BIOS is a simple procedure for new and experienced users alike.
Does recovering BIOS delete everything? ›While performing a Windows factory reset through Windows settings would erase data on your computer, resetting the BIOS doesn't have anything to do with your PC data. In short, a BIOS factory reset doesn't erase data on your computer; it only restores BIOS settings to their defaults.
How long does system BIOS recovery take? ›Regardless of the installation method, a BIOS update can take around five minutes. It's important not to power down or restart your PC until the process is complete.
What are the signs of corrupted BIOS? ›- The laptop stopped working after the BIOS was updated.
- The laptop just died. ...
- Laptop turns on and then off.
- Computer thinks its temperature is too high.
- Laptop turns on but the screen remains black.
Go to the BIOS settings of the computer that's stuck on the BIOS screen. Change the boot order to let the computer from a USB drive or CD/DVD. Insert the DVD/CD into the problematic PC or plug in the bootable USB into it. Reboot your faulty computer; you will now be able to gain access.
What is BIOS recovery Samsung? ›If you see this message after restarting the computer, it means that your machine has detected a corruption in the BIOS, and is recovering the BIOS from the secure backup: It takes about 4 minutes to recover the BIOS from the secure backup.