bios issue after gpu driver update

[Omenhai]

A few days ago I updated the driver for the nvidia 4070 on my Omen-16 wf0774ng to the April version. The notebook was connected to my HP Thunderbolt docking station at the time.

Since then I can only start it via the docking station. The power switch, keyboard and touchpad on the laptop are dead. I can access Windows normally via the dock with an external keyboard and mouse. The fan is fine and the battery lamp lights up normally. When I try to restart the notebook with F10, I hear a beep every time I press a key and only see a black screen. If I connect the notebook to a monitor via HDMI only, after I have started it via the dock, I get a black screen with mouse.

I have installed all drivers with the HP Support Assistant and looked for deactivated monitor in the Windows settings. The internal monitor is not recognized there. I can only find it in the device manager. I can deactivate and reactivate it there. I have also tried to revert to old graphics drivers. None of this has worked.

I then tried a BIOS update for the HX processor series. I got the message that the cmos esp was full. I tried to perform a hard reset with Win + B. This did not work.

What else can I do?

[Max3Aj]

@Omenhai, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
It seems you're facing a complex situation with your laptop after updating the NVIDIA driver while docked. Here’s a breakdown of the symptoms:

• Internal input/output devices (keyboard, touchpad, display) are non-functional.
• The laptop only boots through the docking station, and the internal display is not detected in Windows settings.
• When booting with HDMI only, the internal display shows a black screen with a mouse cursor.
• Accessing the BIOS fails (black screen with beeps), and the Win + B recovery method does not trigger BIOS recovery.
• A BIOS update attempt failed due to a “CMOS ESP full” error.

What’s Working

• The laptop powers on (power LED and fans are responsive).
• External keyboard, mouse, and display via the docking station function correctly.
• Windows loads normally when docked.
• The internal monitor is visible in Device Manager but remains unusable.

Likely Causes

• A corrupted or incomplete BIOS or Embedded Controller (EC) state due to the update while docked.
• A driver conflict or VBIOS issue preventing the internal display and input hardware from initializing.
• The internal display path may be disabled in BIOS, or output could be redirected due to GPU mode or docking station settings.

Suggested Fixes

Clear CMOS and EC

Since Win + B didn’t work, try a full EC reset:

1. Disconnect the dock and all peripherals.
2. Power off the laptop completely.
3. Unplug the charger and remove the battery (if removable).
4. Press and hold the power button for 60 seconds.
5. Reconnect the charger only and attempt to power on.

Some models may have a hidden pinhole for EC reset—check your model’s manual or the underside of the laptop.

Blind BIOS Recovery with USB

If Win + B fails, create a BIOS recovery USB:

1. Visit HP’s BIOS update page for your model: HP Support.
2. Download the latest BIOS and use the HP BIOS Update Utility to create a USB recovery key.
3. Insert the USB into the left USB-A port (usually preferred for recovery).
4. Hold Win + B, then press Power for 2 seconds, and release all keys.
5. Wait up to 5 minutes—listen for fan sounds and beeps. If successful, the BIOS will flash.

Check NVIDIA Optimus / MUX Settings

If the BIOS is semi-functional but the internal GPU (iGPU) or MUX switch is disabled:

• Use NVIDIA Control Panel > Manage Display Mode or OMEN Gaming Hub (if accessible) to switch between hybrid and discrete GPU modes.
• Try forcing it to iGPU mode to re-enable the internal display path.

Safe Mode Boot & Display Reset

Boot into Safe Mode to reset display outputs:

1. While docked, use Shift + Restart from the Start menu.
2. Choose: Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart > Press 4 (Safe Mode).
3. Open Device Manager > Display adapters.
4. Temporarily uninstall the NVIDIA GPU.
5. Restart normally and check if the internal screen responds.

Reset Display Output Preferences

Use keyboard shortcuts blindly after booting:

• Press Win + P once, then arrow down → Enter.
• Repeat this sequence to cycle through “PC screen only,” “Duplicate,” “Extend,” “Second screen only.” This may reset the display configuration and enable the internal display.

Optional: Use bcdedit to Force Internal GPU

You can attempt to force the internal GPU on boot with the following commands:

bcdedit /set {current} bootmenupolicy legacy
bcdedit /set {current} novesa on
 

Run this in Command Prompt as an administrator and restart. This may force the BIOS to use basic video output paths.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Select "Yes" on the bottom left to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[Omenhai]

Thanks for your Support in this case.

I already tried this steps a view days ago. But I retry and follow your instructions again.

I think I did something wrong the first time I did the cmos reset, then I did it right with win + B. I currently have the problem that the power button sometimes starts the laptop. However, I have to press it several times beforehand and the laptop finally starts after the 30th time. I can no longer turn on the keyboard lighting.
But I can access the BIOS. I have loaded the default settings there. The error with the power button remains.

[Max3Aj]

@Omenhai, Thank you for your response. 

It sounds like you're making progress, which is great news. The fact that you can now access the BIOS and that the Win + B recovery eventually worked is a strong sign that the firmware and embedded controller (EC) are at least partially responsive again.
 

However, the power button behavior, keyboard backlight failure, and inconsistent startup still point to a firmware/EC corruption or hardware control logic issue, most likely caused by the combination of:

• Updating GPU drivers while docked (possibly altering Optimus or mux settings),
• Dock firmware interactions,
• A potentially interrupted BIOS or EC write cycle

Suggested Next Steps (Based on Current State)

Force Reflash EC Firmware via BIOS Update Tool

Even though the BIOS recovery helped, the EC firmware portion may still be in an inconsistent state. Here's how to force it:

• Download the latest BIOS update (ensure it's for HX series, e.g., F.15 or newer).
• Run the installer within Windows, and when prompted, select “Update BIOS and EC” (make sure EC update checkbox is selected, if visible).
• Important: Do not run this via the dock — run directly on the laptop, with charger connected and battery charged.

This can restore the EC controller routines, including proper power button and keyboard lighting behavior.

Reinstall the NVIDIA Driver in Safe Mode

Since the original issue stemmed from a GPU driver update, there may still be leftover corruption or registry conflict.
Steps:

1. Boot into Safe Mode (Shift + Restart > Troubleshoot > Startup Settings > Press 4).
2. Use Display Driver Uninstaller (DDU) [from Safe Mode] to completely remove NVIDIA drivers.
3. Reboot and reinstall the latest stable NVIDIA driver from HP site (not GeForce Experience or NVIDIA.com yet).
4. Reboot and check if internal display, lighting, and inputs stabilize.

Use HP UEFI Hardware Diagnostics

Let’s rule out hardware damage:

1. Shut down your laptop.
2. Tap F2 immediately and repeatedly when powering on to enter HP Hardware Diagnostics.
3. Run:

• Keyboard Test
• Battery and Power Test
• System Board Test

This can confirm if the power button/keyboard is malfunctioning due to hardware failure or firmware issues.

I hope this helps!

If my response resolves your issue, please click “Accepted Solution” to help others find the answer. Also, don’t forget to click the “Yes” button to say thanks!

Take care and have a great day.

Max3Aj

HP Support