BIOS Error 3F0 - SSD Not Detected, Important Data Inside

[Ömer902]

Hello,

My HP Victus laptop suddenly showed a “Boot Device Not Found (3F0)” error when I turned it on. I entered the BIOS, but the SSD does not appear there. When I try the “Storage Test” in diagnostics, it says “Hard Drive not installed.”

I have very important data (around 800 GB of family photos and documents) on this SSD, so I need to recover it if possible.

In my last attempt, the laptop asked for the BitLocker recovery key. If I enter the password, will my data be lost? What should I do next?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

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[Hawks_Eye · Accepted solution]

Hi @Ömer902 

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

If your HP Victus laptop shows a “Boot Device Not Found (3F0)” error and the SSD is missing from BIOS and diagnostics, it likely indicates a hardware-level detection failure. 

However, your data may still be recoverable—especially if BitLocker is prompting for a recovery key. Entering the correct key will not erase your data.

I’m truly sorry this has happened—especially with such precious files at stake. You’ve done the right thing by checking BIOS and diagnostics early. Let’s walk through the next steps to protect and recover your data.

Step-by-step actions to recover data from an undetected SSD

Confirm physical SSD detection

• Power off the laptop and disconnect all peripherals.
• If you're comfortable opening the system, carefully remove and reseat the SSD.
• If it’s an M.2 NVMe SSD, ensure it’s fully inserted and the screw is secure.
• Power on and check BIOS again for detection.

Use an external enclosure or adapter

• Remove the SSD and place it in a compatible M.2 NVMe USB enclosure.
• Connect it to another PC to check if it’s recognized.
• If detected, you’ll be prompted for the BitLocker recovery key.

Enter BitLocker recovery key

• Entering the correct key will unlock the drive—your data will not be lost.
• You can then copy your files to another system or external drive.

Run HP diagnostics externally

• If the SSD is detected externally, run HP’s storage tests from another PC:
  HP PC Hardware Diagnostics – Guide

If SSD is not detected externally

• The drive may have suffered a controller failure or physical damage.
• In this case, data recovery may require professional tools or services.

This guide includes BIOS reset steps and physical checks for storage devices.

• HP Notebook PCs – Boot Device Not Found (3F0) Error

Let me know if the SSD is recognized externally or if you’d like help identifying a compatible enclosure. You’re doing everything right to protect your data, and I’ll guide you through each step with care.

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

[Ömer902]

Hi @Hawks_Eye,

Thank you very much for your detailed response and kind words.

I entered the BitLocker recovery key as suggested, and surprisingly the system booted up normally afterward. I was able to back up all my important data successfully. Everything seems to be working fine now, and the SSD is detected properly in both BIOS and Windows.

However, this situation really worried me — especially because earlier the BIOS and diagnostics showed “No hard drive installed”. Could this have been caused by a loose SSD connection or temporary contact issue? I’m concerned it might happen again.

[Hawks_Eye]

@Ömer902 

You're absolutely right to be cautious—seeing a “No hard drive installed” message in BIOS followed by a BitLocker recovery prompt is unsettling, especially with important data at stake. The fact that your system booted normally after entering the recovery key and the SSD is now detected suggests the issue was likely transient, and yes, it could have been caused by:

1. Loose or Inconsistent SSD Connection

• Over time, thermal expansion, vibration, or minor physical shifts can cause the SSD to lose firm contact with the motherboard.
• If your laptop was moved, bumped, or opened recently, this could explain the temporary disconnect.

2. Power or Firmware Glitch

• A sudden power loss or BIOS hiccup can cause the system to misread the SSD’s presence.
• This might trigger BitLocker recovery if the boot sequence or disk signature changes unexpectedly.

3. VMD or Storage Controller Delay

• On systems with Intel VMD or NVMe SSDs, the storage controller may take longer to initialize, especially after firmware updates or cold boots.
• If the SSD isn’t detected quickly enough, BIOS may report it as missing—even if it’s fine.

What You Can Do to Prevent Recurrence

A. Reseat the SSD (If Comfortable)

• Power off the laptop and remove the bottom panel.
• Carefully disconnect and reconnect the SSD.
• Ensure it’s seated firmly and the contacts are clean.

 

B. Update BIOS and Storage Drivers

• Visit your HP model’s support page and install:
  • Latest BIOS
  • Intel Rapid Storage Technology (RST) or NVMe Controller Driver

 

C. Disable Fast Boot in BIOS

• Fast Boot can skip certain hardware checks.
• Enter BIOS > Advanced > Boot Options > Disable Fast Boot.

 

D. Monitor with HP Hardware Diagnostics

• Run a full system test using HP PC Hardware Diagnostics: HP Diagnostics Tool

You did the right thing by backing up your data immediately. If the issue returns, we can explore deeper logs or consider SSD health checks. For now, it sounds like your system is stable again—and that’s a huge relief.

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