Windows 11 does not boot after BIOS update

[Ralf42]

Hello,
I upgraded the device to Windows 11 succesfully. Than I foolishly decided to run a BIOS update to version F.42. Now the notebook does not boot anymoe (shows a black screen with a blinking cursor). Guess this BIOS does not support Windows 11 (it was missing from the list of supported OS versions).

While updating the BIOS with the HP update tool it created backup files (several bin and sig files). How can I use those files to recover the previous BIOS version?

I put the backup files in the folder "Hewlett-Packard\BIOS\Previous" of the USB drive used for the update, and startet the recoervy with the Windows+B key preocedure, but it always shows a "Recovery files not found" error.

Thanks for any advice.

[Elohi_NR]

Hi @Ralf42,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be happy to help you! 

I'm sorry to hear about the trouble you're experiencing with your HP Notebook. Here's a detailed guide to help you recover the previous BIOS version using the backup files:

Steps to Recover BIOS:

1. Prepare the USB Drive:
   • Ensure the USB drive is formatted to FAT32.
   • Place the backup BIOS files (the .bin and .sig files) in the "Hewlett-Packard\BIOS\Previous" folder on the USB drive.
2. Initiate BIOS Recovery:
   • Ensure the laptop is powered off.
   • Connect the USB drive to the laptop.
   • Press and hold the Windows key and the B key, then press the Power button for 2-3 seconds and release all three keys.
3. Wait for Recovery:
   • The laptop should start BIOS recovery from the USB drive. It may take a few minutes, and the screen might stay blank or show a blinking cursor for a while.

Troubleshooting Tips:

1. Check USB Drive:
   • Ensure the USB drive is correctly formatted and the files are in the exact directory structure specified.
2. Verify File Placement:
   • Double-check that the backup files (.bin and .sig) are in the "Hewlett-Packard\BIOS\Previous" folder and not just the root directory of the USB drive.
3. Try Different USB Ports:
   • If the recovery process doesn't start, try using different USB ports on the laptop.
4. Create a BIOS Recovery USB Drive:
   • If the above steps don't work, create a BIOS recovery USB drive using another computer:
     • Download the latest BIOS update from the HP support website for your specific model.
     • Run the downloaded file on another computer and choose the option to create a BIOS recovery USB drive.
     • Copy your backup .bin and .sig files to the "Hewlett-Packard\BIOS\Previous" folder on this new recovery USB drive.
     • Follow the same steps to initiate BIOS recovery.

Alternative Method:

If the built-in recovery method is not working, you can also try the HP BIOS Update and Recovery utility from the HP website. Here's how:

1. Create a BIOS Recovery USB Drive using HP Utility:
   • On another working computer, go to the HP Software and Driver Downloads page.
   • Enter your laptop's model number and find the BIOS update file.
   • Download and run the BIOS update file, selecting the option to create a BIOS recovery USB drive.
2. Copy Backup Files:
   • Copy your backup BIOS files (.bin and .sig) into the appropriate folder on the recovery USB drive created.
3. Attempt Recovery:
   • Follow the steps to initiate BIOS recovery using this newly created USB drive.

By following these steps, you should be able to recover the previous BIOS version and get your HP Notebook back to working condition. If you encounter any issues, I recommend you contact 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”.

[Ralf42]

Hello,

thanks for your reply. Unfortunately, that's what I already attempted w/o success. The system always responds: recovery  files not found. Interestingly, when I place the backup files at the root of an USB drive and start the recovery process, the system indicates with a splash screen that the pre execution evironment is updated, but at the end version still is F.42.

Tried a dozend methods to recover the system, but all failed. The partition layout of the SSD does not match anything I could find in the net: Apparently it's a legacy boot device, but there is no NTFS partition with a BCD file; found the BCD file at a FAT32 partition; no partitions of a size typical for boot partitions; what looks like the boot partition doesn not hold system data. Windows RE tools for recovery fail utterly. 

Thanks HP for that mess! I wiped out the disk and installed Win11 from scratch.

Regards,

Ralf

[Elohi_NR]

Hi @Ralf42 ,

We apologize for the inconvenience, but it seems that the issue persists even after attempting the troubleshooting steps mentioned above.

If you need further assistance, I recommend you contact phone support.

I've sent you a private message with further instructions. 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 or simply click on this link.