Press esc key for startup menu

[MrFizzy_]

Hey,

About a week ago I started having problem with my PC randomly restarting but after turning on a black screen pops up (attached image) I've tried everything I could find on the internet and nothing seems to be working and I don't get any error codes either to look up.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Hope to solve this issue

[Sneha_01]

Hi @MrFizzy_,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

It sounds like you’re encountering a startup issue with your PC, where a black screen appears and you’re prompted to press the Esc key for the startup menu. If you’re not seeing any error codes and have tried general troubleshooting without success, here are some steps to help you resolve the problem:

1. Check for Basic Hardware Issues

Ensure All Connections Are Secure:

• Check that all cables (power, monitor, etc.) are securely connected.
• Ensure that your monitor is properly connected to the computer and turned on.

Inspect Internal Components:

• Open your computer case (if you’re comfortable doing so) and check that all internal components (RAM, GPU, hard drive, etc.) are properly seated.

2. Perform a Hard Reboot

• Power Cycle:
  • Turn off your computer and unplug it from the power source.
  • Wait about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
  • Plug it back in and turn it on.

3. Try Accessing BIOS/UEFI

• Enter BIOS/UEFI Settings:
  • Restart your computer and press the Esc key or the designated key for entering BIOS/UEFI (often F2, F10, Delete, or F12) repeatedly during startup.
  • If you can access BIOS/UEFI, check the settings to ensure everything is configured correctly.

4. Check for Boot Device Issues

Boot Order:

• In BIOS/UEFI, ensure that your hard drive or SSD is set as the primary boot device.
• If the boot order is incorrect, adjust it so that your system boots from the correct drive.

Check Boot Drive:

• Ensure that your boot drive (where Windows is installed) is properly connected and recognized in BIOS/UEFI.

5. Use Safe Mode

• Boot into Safe Mode:
  • If you can get past the initial black screen, try booting into Safe Mode. To do this, restart your computer and repeatedly press the F8 key (or Shift + F8 on some systems) during startup.
  • If you manage to enter Safe Mode, you can perform diagnostics, check for driver issues, or uninstall recent updates that might be causing the problem.

6. Run System Diagnostics

Built-In Diagnostics:

• Many PCs come with built-in diagnostics tools. Check your computer’s manual or manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to run these diagnostics.

Run System Repair:

• If you have a Windows installation or recovery media, boot from it and select Repair your computer. From there, you can try options like Startup Repair or System Restore.

7. Check for External Peripherals

• Disconnect External Devices:
  • Disconnect all external devices (USB drives, printers, external hard drives, etc.) and restart your computer to see if the issue persists.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please mark this post as “Accepted Solution” if the issue is resolved and if you feel this reply was helpful click “Yes”.

Rachel571

HP Support