pc

[filippo087]

My laptop won't start unless it's plugged in; the keyboard stays lit and the screen is black but visibly on. I tried updating the drivers, but nothing changed. Also, sometimes when I start it while it's charging and then unplug it, the same thing happens. Can someone help me, please?

[Hawks_Eye · Accepted solution]

Hi @filippo087 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thanks for explaining the issue—I'm really sorry your OMEN by HP 16-xf0000 won’t start properly unless it’s plugged in. The fact that the keyboard lights up and the screen appears faintly lit suggests the system is powering on but failing to initialize the display or complete POST (Power-On Self-Test). Based on your description, this may be linked to a firmware-level fault or a sensor-related issue affecting power state transitions.

Let’s walk through a focused recovery process to help restore normal startup behavior:

 

Step-by-Step Recovery for Power-Dependent Boot Issue

1. Perform a Hard Reset

• Disconnect the charger and all peripherals
• Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds
• Reconnect the charger and try powering on

This clears residual charge and resets the embedded controller.

 

2. Check Battery Health and Power Behavior

• Plug in the charger and observe the charging LED near the port
  • Solid white or amber: Power rail is active
  • No light or blinking: May indicate battery or controller fault
• If the laptop only boots with the charger connected, the battery may be failing to deliver startup voltage

You can confirm battery status using HP Diagnostics (see next step).

 

3. Run HP Hardware Diagnostics

• Press Esc repeatedly at startup, then choose F2
• Run the Battery Test and System Test

This helps detect battery faults, power rail issues, or POST failures.

 

4. Update BIOS and Embedded Controller Firmware

• Visit: OMEN by HP 16-xf0000 Drivers & BIOS
• Download and install:
  • Latest BIOS update
  • HP System Event Utility
  • Chipset drivers

These updates help regulate power transitions and correct firmware-level faults.

 

5. Inspect for Sensor Interference

Some OMEN models include a hall sensor near the hinge that detects lid closure. If damaged or misaligned, it may falsely trigger sleep or hibernation states.

• If the screen stays black but faintly lit, the system may be stuck in a suspended state
• Try gently pressing near the hinge or placing a magnet near the power button to test sensor response

If the behavior changes, the sensor may be interfering with normal boot.

Let me know what the diagnostics report or if the BIOS update changes the startup behavior—I’ll guide you further based on that. 

You’re doing everything right by staying persistent—I’ll stay with you until it’s resolved.

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[TylerEvans]

Thanks for answering, you made my day. If I want to know more, I will ask by starting my own thread.

[Hawks_Eye]

That’s wonderful to hear @filippo087. 

Thank you for the kind words. I’m really glad the response helped lift your day. 

If anything changes or you want to dig deeper into your system’s behavior, I’ll be right here to support you. 

You’re doing everything right by staying curious and proactive.

Thanks again for your confirmation, and we wish you an amazing day ahead! 😊

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye