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HP Notebook PCs - Computer Does Not Start and Emits an LED or Beep Code

This document is for HP and Compaq notebook computers.

If your computer does not start, light emitting diodes (LEDs) or beeps can help identify the issue. The following information describes the flashing light and beeping error codes and how to resolve the problem.

Notebook computer with lid open and showing animated lights blinking on and off.

note:
If the LEDs stop blinking and the computer does not start, press the Power button again to repeat the blinking sequence.

Specific patterns of long and short blinks along with long and short beeps (where applicable) identify errors during the startup process. Newer computers have two-part blink sequences with different color lights to indicate specific errors. The LED blink/beep sequence near Caps Lock and Number Lock keys indicates the type of error:

The red Caps Lock LED blinks are long.
The white Caps Lock LED blinks are short. For example, ‘3.5’ indicates 3 long red blinks and 5 short white blinks.
On systems that do not have a dual-color LED, both long and short blinks are white.
Some systems do not have a speaker and do not beep.

Note the blinking sequence and use the chart to identify the error condition. Then use the troubleshooting steps to solve the issue.

Component tested	Light and beep pattern	Error condition	Troubleshooting steps
BIOS	2.2 (blink)	The main area (DXE) of BIOS has become corrupted, and there is no recovery binary image available. (Also happens when updating the BIOS.)	Perform BIOS recovery with external media (USB or CD-ROM). Go to HP Notebook PCs - Recovering the BIOS for additional information.
BIOS	2.3 (blink)	The embedded controller policy requires the user to enter a key sequence.	Disconnect the power supply and power the computer with battery power. This resets the Embedded Controller/Keyboard Controller. Unplug the AC power from the computer. Press and hold the power button for more than 12 seconds. Release the power button (after at least 12 seconds). The computer powers on and should boot normally. Re-connect the AC power to the computer.
BIOS	2.4 (blink)	The embedded controller is checking or recovering the boot block.	Disconnect the power supply and power the computer with battery power. This resets the Embedded Controller/Keyboard Controller. Unplug the AC power from the computer. Press and hold the power button for more than 12 seconds. Release the power button (after at least 12 seconds). The computer powers on and should boot normally. Re-connect the AC power to the computer.
Hardware	3.2 (blink)	The embedded controller times out waiting for BIOS to return from memory initialization.	Reseat the memory. See the section Reseating memory modules in a notebook for more information. If reseating the memory does not resolve the problem, try replacing the memory modules. You might also consider contacting support for repair due to a possible RAM or system board failure.
Hardware	3.3 (blink/beep)	The embedded controller times out waiting for BIOS to return from graphics initialization or if a graphics output device failed to initialize.	Contact support for repair due to graphics or video failure.
Hardware	3.4 (blink)	The system board displays a power failure.	Check the power cable connections. Verify that any external power adapter has sufficient capacity for the system.
Hardware	3.5 (blink)	The CPU is not detected.	Contact support for repair due to system board or CPU failure.
Thermal	4.2 (blink/beep)	A CPU overheating condition detected.*	Allow the computer to cool down, then go to the section Removing dust from the cooling areas in a notebook.
Thermal	4.3 (blink/beep)	An ambient temperature overheating condition detected.	If the error persists after cooling and cleaning the notebook, there might be heat-related damage to internal components. Contact support for repair.
Thermal	4.4 (blink/beep)	A GPU (graphics processing unit) overheating condition detected.
System board	5.2 (blink)	The embedded controller cannot find valid firmware.	Disconnect the power supply and power the computer with battery power. This resets the Embedded Controller/Keyboard Controller. Unplug the AC power from the computer. Press and hold the power button for more than 12 seconds. Release the power button (after at least 12 seconds). The computer powers on and should boot normally. Re-connect the AC power to the computer.
System board	5.3 (blink)	The embedded controller times out waiting for the BIOS.	Remove all accessory devices from the notebook. If the error code persists, contact support for possible repair.
System board	5.4 (blink/beep)	The embedded controller times out waiting for the BIOS to return from system board initialization (end of POST).

Computers released between before 2015

In the following table, the blinks are consistent, with a pause between each sequence.

Component tested	Caps Lock/Num Lock LED	Error condition	Troubleshooting steps
CPU	LEDs blink 1 time	CPU not functional	Contact support for repair.
BIOS	LEDs blink 2 times	BIOS corruption failure	If a BIOS corruption error occurs, you might not even notice the blink codes. You might notice an extra-long startup process as a result. A message indicating that the BIOS has been recovered might display on startup. If this occurs, update the BIOS on the computer. For more information, see Updating the BIOS. If the computer does not automatically recover the BIOS, manually perform a BIOS recovery. For information on restoring the BIOS, see HP Notebook PCs - Recovering the BIOS.
Memory	LEDs blink 3 times	Module error not functional	Reseat the memory. See the section Reseating memory modules in a notebook for more information. If reseating the memory does not resolve the problem, try replacing the memory modules.
Graphics	LEDs blink 4 times	Graphics controller not functional	Contact support for repair.
System board	LEDs blink 5 times	General system board failure	Contact support for repair.
BIOS	LEDs blink 6 times	BIOS authentication failure	If a BIOS authentication failure occurs, the computer performs a BIOS recovery. If the computer does not recover the BIOS, perform a BIOS recovery manually. Press all four arrow keys at the same time. This causes the BIOS to find and recover the current BIOS. If a manual BIOS recovery is not successful, contact HP for assistance. For information on how to restore the BIOS go to HP Notebook PCs - Recovering the BIOS.

What to do when beep codes occur

An LED or beep code usually means a basic function was unable to start. Memory and heat-related failures are the most common problems.

Step 1: Performing a hard reset

A hard or forced reset erases all information in the computer memory. This forces the system to clear and reestablish the software connections between the BIOS and the hardware.

Reset a notebook with a removable battery

Video of performing a hard or forced reset on your HP notebook with removable battery

Perform a hard reset on a computer with a removable battery.

Turn off the computer.
Disconnect the computer from any port replicator or docking station.
Disconnect all external connected peripheral devices.
Unplug the AC adapter from the computer.
Remove the battery from the battery compartment.
Press and hold down the Power button for about 15 seconds to drain any residual electrical charge.
Insert the battery and plug the AC adapter back into the notebook computer.
Press the Power button to turn on the computer.
If a startup menu opens, use the arrow keys to select Start Windows Normally, then press the Enter key.
Reconnect each of the peripheral devices.
Run Windows Update and HP Support Assistant to update all device drivers. See Updating Drivers and Software with Windows Update (Windows 10, 8, 7) and Using HP Support Assistant (Windows) for more information.

Reset a notebook with a sealed or non-removable battery

Video of performing a hard or forced reset on your HP notebook with non-removable battery

Perform a hard reset on a computer with a sealed or non-removable battery.

note:
D not attempt to remove a sealed battery. Doing so can void your warranty.

Turn off the computer.
Remove the computer from any port replicator or docking station.
Disconnect all external connected peripheral devices.
Unplug the AC adapter from the computer.
For most notebook PCs, press and hold the Power button for 15 seconds to reset.

If this method fails, see the User Guide for your specific model for the proper button combination. Go to HP Support, enter your model number in the search bar and click the search icon. On the product support page, click User Guides.
Plug the AC adapter back into the notebook computer.
Press the Power button to turn on the computer.
If a startup menu opens, use the arrow keys to select Start Windows Normally, then press the Enter key.
Reconnect each of the peripheral devices.
Run Windows Update and HP Support Assistant to update all device drivers. See Updating Drivers and Software with Windows Update (Windows 10, 8, 7) and Using HP Support Assistant (Windows) for more information.

Step 2: Removing dust from cooling areas in your notebook

Dust can collect in the cooling vents of your computer, causing sensitive components to overheat and fail.

Wear eye protection and remove dust from vents with canned air or a vacuum cleaner. After cleaning the air vents, restart the computer.

If the computer starts normally, you are done. Otherwise, continue to the next step.

Step 3: Writing down the LED or beep code

Write down the error conditions onto a piece of paper.

Press the Power button to turn on the computer.
Your computer's power socket has an LED. Look at the light next to the power socket and note its condition: off, blinking, or constantly on.
Look at the indicator lights near the Caps Lock and Num Lock keys and note their condition. If the lights blink, count the number of times they blink between pauses.
On a piece of paper, write down the LED blinking or beep sequence.

Notebook battery power LED blinks

The battery power LED indicates the condition of the power supply. With the computer on, use the chart to identify the power condition.

The battery power LED is generally a lightning bolt

icon. (If the notebook does not have the lightning bolt battery power LED, consult the product manual.)

Battery Power LED	Component Tested	Error Condition
Battery power LED off, and Caps Lock/Num Lock off	Battery or AC adapter	AC adapter not connected or failure Battery low charge or failure
Battery power LED blinking	Battery	Insufficient charge on the battery

Refer to one of the following sections for more information about the battery power status:

AC adapter not functioning or battery low charge

If the LEDs do not glow with the computer disconnected from power, then the battery is very low or not charged. Diagnose the power issue by charging the battery and checking the AC adapter.

Charge the battery:

Use the following steps to charge the battery.

Connect the AC power adapter, and verify that the battery power LED glows.
Allow the battery to charge for 15 - 30 minutes.
Attempt to start the computer.
- If your computer starts: Run the battery test and calibrate the battery. For information on calibrating the battery, go to Testing and Calibrating the Battery (Windows).
- If your computer does not start: If possible, connect a replacement battery to verify that the battery is the problem.

Check the AC adapter:

Use the following steps if the computer does not start after charging the battery.

Remove the battery if you can access it.
Connect the AC power supply to the notebook.
Verify that the battery power LED glows, then attempt to start the computer.

If the LED still does not glow, it is either a failed AC adapter or a bad connection between the adapter and the system board.

If possible, connect a different AC power adapter to verify that the adapter is the problem, or contact HP for support.

Notebook battery light LED flashes

If the battery light LED

flashes, the battery has insufficient charge to start the computer. (If the notebook does not have the lightning bolt battery power LED, consult the product manual.)

Make sure all plug connections on the AC adapter are secure.
Connect the notebook to AC power and attempt to start the computer again.
If the AC adapter features an LED power indicator, check to see if the AC adapter LED illuminates. This verifies that the computer is receiving power from the wall outlet.
Charge the battery for thirty minutes to one hour, and then restart the computer.

New computer in "shipping mode"

When using a notebook for the first time, the white LED light for the AC power blinks. The blinking indicates the battery is still in shipping mode, even with the notebook connected to AC power.

To resolve this issue, turn off the notebook and connect the AC power. Allow the battery to charge for at least 30 minutes, and then restart the computer.

"Shipping mode" blinking power LED light

Reseating memory modules in a notebook

A loose memory module might cause your notebook to fail to start. To fix this, take the memory module out of the memory slot and then reseat it.

See your User Guide or Service and Maintenance Guide for the exact location of memory modules on your notebook.

note:
Removing and reseating memory modules requires the use of tools to partially disassemble the computer. If necessary, take the computer to an HP authorized service provider for technical service.

Use the following steps to remove and reseat the memory modules:

Turn off the computer, and then disconnect the power cord.

caution:
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage electronic components. Before beginning any procedure, touch a grounded metal object to discharge static electricity.
Remove the cover to access the memory.

Your computer might look different than the computer in the graphic.

note:
Some computers might not have a cover that provides access to the memory. Have the computer serviced if you cannot access the memory.
Retention screws (2)

Direction to remove compartment cover
Remove memory modules in the computer.
Reinsert all memory modules.
Notch alignment

Direction to insert the module

Direction to seat module
Replace the cover, battery, and power cord.
Turn on the computer.
Perform any tests to verify that the computer can start up and run in the Windows operating system.

If the computer fails to boot to the Windows desktop, contact HP for support.