Laptop Locked, Will not Power Up

[3Islander]

Powered on HP Spectre x360 laptop and, for unknown reason it stated it was locking. The laptop then powered down. I can no longer power up. Nothing happens when I push power button. Any solutions to my locked out problem will be greatly appreciated.

[Nal_NR · Accepted solution]

Hi @3Islander,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be glad to help you! 

I understand that you are having issues with your laptop locked up.

It sounds like your HP Spectre x360 - 13-ae020ca is not responding after it powered down and displayed a "locking" message. This could be related to several issues, such as a hardware malfunction, battery, or software glitch. Here are some steps you can try to troubleshoot and resolve the issue:

1. Perform a Hard Reset:

• Disconnect the power adapter and any connected peripherals (e.g., USB devices, external monitors).
• Press and hold the power button for about 15-30 seconds. This should drain any residual power and reset the system.
• Reconnect the power adapter, but do not reconnect any peripherals yet.
• Try turning on the laptop by pressing the power button.

2. Check for Battery or Power Issues:

• Try a different power adapter or outlet if you have access to one, as there could be an issue with the adapter or the outlet not providing power.
• Ensure the charging port is clear of any debris, and the charging cable is securely connected.
• If the charging LED is on (white or amber light near the charging port), the laptop may just need a charge. Leave it connected for 30 minutes and try powering it on again.

3. Check for a Stuck Power Button:

• Sometimes the power button may get stuck or fail. Make sure the button is not jammed or blocked.
• If necessary, gently tap around the power button to release any potential blockage.

4. BIOS Recovery (if applicable):

• If the laptop shows no signs of power, try this recovery method:
  • Press and hold the Windows key + B key, then press the Power button for a few seconds. This triggers a BIOS recovery if the system detects a problem during boot.

5. Perform a Battery Disconnect (if applicable):

• If the steps above don't work, disconnecting the internal battery might help. However, this requires opening the back panel of the laptop. If you're comfortable doing this:
  • Remove the back cover of the laptop (you'll need a small screwdriver).
  • Disconnect the battery from the motherboard.
  • Press and hold the power button for 15-30 seconds to drain any remaining power.
  • Reconnect the battery, reattach the back cover, and try powering it on again.

6. Try an External Display (Optional):

• If you suspect that the laptop is powering on but can't see the display, try connecting it to an external monitor to see if there's an issue with the internal screen.

If none of the above solutions work, it may be a more serious hardware issue (such as a motherboard or power-related failure). In that case, contact HP phone support.

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”.