Caps lock light: 5 slow flashes then 4 fast flashes

[Frank-o1]

Black screen. Did get a "Hard disk 3F0 boot device not found error. Tried battery disconnect and restart. Pressed start and F10, after several minutes blue boot up screen appeared, reset BIOS to default settings, still n/g.

[A_Gayathri]

Hi @Frank-o1,

Welcome to The HP Support Community.  

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

I understand you are facing an issue with your HP ENVY 16-inch laptop (caps lock light blinking in a specific pattern and black screen) along with the "Hard Disk 3F0 boot device not found" error indicates a potential issue with the laptop's storage drive or boot configuration.

Here’s how to troubleshoot and potentially resolve the issue:

1. Verify the Meaning of Caps Lock Blinks

The 5 slow blinks followed by 4 fast blinks of the Caps Lock LED on HP laptops generally indicate a hardware issue, often related to the storage drive. 

2. Perform a Hard Reset

Since you've already tried resetting the battery, ensure the hard reset was performed correctly:

1. Disconnect the power adapter.
2. Remove any external devices (USB drives, printers, etc.).
3. Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds to discharge residual power.
4. Reconnect the power adapter and try booting again.

3. Check BIOS Settings

1. Enter BIOS:
   • Power on the laptop and press F10 repeatedly to enter the BIOS setup.
2. Reset BIOS to Defaults:
   • Look for an option to reset to default settings (often called "Restore Defaults" or "Load Setup Defaults").
   • Save and exit.
3. Ensure Boot Order is Correct:
   • Navigate to the Boot Options section.
   • Ensure the primary storage drive (HDD/SSD) is listed first in the boot order.

4. Run Hardware Diagnostics

1. Access Diagnostics:
   • Turn off the laptop.
   • Press the power button, and immediately press F2 repeatedly to enter HP Hardware Diagnostics.
2. Run a Hard Drive Test:
   • Select the option to test the hard drive.
   • If the test fails, note down the failure ID. This indicates a hardware problem with the drive.

5. Attempt Recovery Options

If the diagnostics pass, try the following:

• Recover Boot Configuration:
  • Use a bootable Windows 11 USB to repair the boot sector.
  • Boot from the USB, select Repair your computer, go to Advanced options, and select Startup Repair.
• Check Storage Drive Connectivity:
  • If you're comfortable, open the laptop and reseat the storage drive. Ensure it’s securely connected to the motherboard.

6. Replace the Storage Drive (If Necessary)

If the drive fails diagnostics or remains undetected:

• Replace the storage drive (SSD or HDD).
• Reinstall Windows 11 using a bootable USB.

Refer to this document: HP Notebook PCs - Computer beeps or a light blinks during startup

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day.

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