3F0 error after Windows 11 installation

[NM107]

 

 

 

Have an M.2 SSD hard drive on my HP laptop. This morning, I did a fresh install of Windows 11 from Microsoft bootable usb. As part of the installation, system restarted, connected to my wi-fi, it performed system updates, performed another restart, installation asked me to give a name to the laptop and when it restarted this time, it gave an error of 3F0 -Boot Device not found. Went into BIOS Options through F9, I can see my hard drive as the first option but still system won’t boot. I even inserted the Windows 11 bootable USB, see it listed in BIOS options and even though I select it, the system doesn’t boot with that bootable USB as well.

Since I was stuck, I had another working HP laptop with M.2 SSD drive and Windows 11 on it which was working perfectly fine, so I swapped the two hard drives to see if it indeed was some hardware issue. But both the laptops gave the same 3F0 error. However, now when I put the 2nd working hard drive back in its original laptop, that laptop also doesn’t boot and gives the same 3F0 - Boot Device not found. 

So now both of my HP laptops don’t boot 🙁

Can someone please help?

[Nal_NR]

Hi @NM107,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be glad to help you! 

I can imagine how frustrating it is to have both laptops suddenly unable to boot after troubleshooting an issue. Let’s work through the problem systematically to try and resolve it.

• During the Windows 11 installation, did you delete all partitions on the SSD before proceeding, or did you leave any partitions intact?
• When you checked the BIOS, is the boot mode set to UEFI, and is Secure Boot enabled or disabled?
• Have you tried running a hardware diagnostic test through the BIOS to ensure the SSDs are functioning correctly?

Let's try these steps. 

Verify Boot Configuration in BIOS:

• Restart your laptop and press F10 to enter BIOS setup.
• Check the following:
  • Boot Mode is set to UEFI (not Legacy).
  • Secure Boot is enabled.
  • Ensure your SSD is listed as the first boot device under Boot Order.
• Save and exit BIOS.

Run Diagnostics to Check the SSDs:

• Boot into the HP Hardware Diagnostics by pressing F2 during startup.
• Select System Tests → Hard Drive Check and run both the Quick and Extensive Tests.
• If errors are detected, your SSD may be corrupted or failing.

Recreate the Boot Configuration Data (BCD):

Reset the BIOS to Factory Defaults:

• Enter the BIOS by pressing F10 at startup.
• Find the option to Restore Defaults or Load Setup Defaults, usually under the Exit tab.
• Save and exit, then try booting again.

Reinstall Windows Cleanly on Both Laptops:

• Use the Windows 11 bootable USB to perform a new installation.
• During the installation process:
  • Select Custom Installation.
  • Delete all partitions on the SSD (ensure no data needs to be recovered first).
  • Create a new partition and proceed with the installation.
• Once Windows is reinstalled, check if the system boots normally.

You may also refer to this document for more information. 

If the Problem Persists, 

• Check the USB Drive: Ensure the Windows 11 USB installer was created properly using Microsoft's Media Creation Tool and is not corrupted.
• Test with a Different SSD: If possible, try a different SSD to rule out hardware failure.

If diagnostics reveal no issues with the hardware but the laptops still won’t boot, it may require service. 

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance

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

[Nal_NR]

Hi @NM107,

Kindly follow all the steps and see how it goes. 

Keep me posted for further assistance

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

[NM107]

Hi Elohi_NR,

Thank you for your response.  Here are the response to your questions.

• During the Windows 11 installation, did you delete all partitions on the SSD before proceeding, or did you leave any partitions intact? All partitions were deleted
• When you checked the BIOS, is the boot mode set to UEFI, and is Secure Boot enabled or disabled? I cant get into the BIOS setup. It was setup years ago and now I don't even remember the BIOS password.
• Have you tried running a hardware diagnostic test through the BIOS to ensure the SSDs are functioning correctly? Yes, both the SSD's are working fine. I did F2 and ran diagnostics and Hard drive test passed. Also when I connect these SSD's through an external USB drive on another working laptop, I can see these SSD's in Windows explorer.

Verify Boot Configuration in BIOS:

• Restart your laptop and press F10 to enter BIOS setup. F10 asks me for BIOS password which I no longer remember as the laptop was setup years ago. But when I do F9, I do see the drive as UEFI. Also after connecting these SSD's through a USB adapter and using Hasleo's WinToUsb, I was able to reinstall Windows 10 and Windows 11 on these SSD's using UEFI settings but when I connect the SSD's back to the laptop, same issue as mentioned in my original post - Boot Device not found.
• Check the following:
  • Boot Mode is set to UEFI (not Legacy).
  • Secure Boot is enabled.
  • Ensure your SSD is listed as the first boot device under Boot Order.
• Save and exit BIOS.

Run Diagnostics to Check the SSDs:

• Boot into the HP Hardware Diagnostics by pressing F2 during startup.
• Select System Tests → Hard Drive Check and run both the Quick and Extensive Tests.
• If errors are detected, your SSD may be corrupted or failing.

I did F2, ran diagnostics and Hard drive test passed.

Recreate the Boot Configuration Data (BCD): 

Upon selecting F9, when I select the Windows 11 bootable USB from the boot sequence, the system once again wont boot and brings me back to the startup menu (see 3rd image in my original post). This will continue in a loop where I again select F9, select the bootable Windows 11, and it brings me back to the startup menu.

Reset the BIOS to Factory Defaults:

• Enter the BIOS by pressing F10 at startup.
• Find the option to Restore Defaults or Load Setup Defaults, usually under the Exit tab.
• Save and exit, then try booting again.

F10 asks me for BIOS password which I no longer remember as the laptop was setup years ago. So unable to complete this step.

Reinstall Windows Cleanly on Both Laptops:

• Use the Windows 11 bootable USB to perform a new installation.
• During the installation process:
  • Select Custom Installation.
  • Delete all partitions on the SSD (ensure no data needs to be recovered first).
  • Create a new partition and proceed with the installation.
• Once Windows is reinstalled, check if the system boots normally.

Also after connecting these SSD's through a USB adapter and using Hasleo's WinToUsb, I was able to reinstall Windows 10 and Windows 11 on these SSD's using UEFI settings. However when I connect the SSD's back to the laptop, same issue as mentioned in my original post - Boot Device not found.

[Sneha_01]

Hi @NM107 

I'm sending out a private message to assist you with the next course of action. In order to access your private messages, click the private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your profile Name.

Hope this helps! Keep me posted for further assistance.

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