HP BIOS Update Fails with "Not Enough Disk Space" Error Despite Sufficient Free Space

[aditya207]

I am attempting to update the BIOS on my Victus Gaming Laptop 15-fb0147AX (8F503PA) using the HP Support Assistant. The update process consistently fails with the error message "There is not enough free disk space to complete the System BIOS and Device Firmware update operation. Delete some files to free disk space then retry again."

s shown in the attached screenshot of my Disk Management, my C: drive has over 50GB of free space (specifically 52.09 GB), which should be more than enough for a BIOS update. I have tried the following troubleshooting steps without success:

• Restarted the laptop: To ensure no temporary files or processes are interfering.
• Ran Disk Cleanup: To remove unnecessary files and free up additional space.
• Checked for disk errors: Using the built-in Windows disk checking tool.
• Disabled antivirus software: Temporarily, to rule out interference.
• Attempted the update multiple times: The error persists.

I am unsure why the update is failing despite having ample free disk space. I suspect there might be a hidden partition or a specific location where the BIOS update requires free space that I am unaware of.

I would prefer not to use the method of creating a bootable USB drive to update the BIOS. I am looking for solutions that allow me to update the BIOS directly through the HP Support Assistant or other methods within the Windows environment.

However, there's another confusing aspect to this issue: When I run the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics through the HP Support Assistant and check for BIOS updates, it reports that my BIOS is up to date. Yet, my system currently has BIOS version F.21 installed, and I know that versions F.22 or F.23 are available (but I cannot install them). Furthermore, the HP Support Assistant itself still prompts me to update the BIOS, indicating that it recognizes an available update.

Could you please provide guidance on how to resolve this issue and successfully update my BIOS without resorting to a USB drive, and explain the discrepancy in the BIOS update detection on my Victus Gaming Laptop 15-fb0147AX (8F503PA)?

Specifically, I would appreciate answers to the following questions:

1. Are there any specific system folders or partitions that need a certain amount of free space for the BIOS update process (excluding the C: drive)?
2. Is there a known issue with the HP BIOS Update and Recovery utility that could be causing this error despite sufficient free space?
3. Are there alternative methods for updating the BIOS directly within Windows, without using a USB drive?
4. Could a corrupted system file or driver be causing this problem?
5. Are there any specific logs or error messages I should be looking for to help diagnose the issue further?
6. Why does the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics report my BIOS as up-to-date when the HP Support Assistant itself indicates an available update on my Victus Gaming Laptop 15-fb0147AX (8F503PA)?

Thank you for your assistance.

[erico]

Take a look at an older thread that I answered with a member who was having the same problem. YOu are going to have to increase the size of the EFI partition. 

Yours is 100MB it needs to be around 250MB.

Here is the old thread. The method I described is a bit advanced for some members who have no familiarity with the command line and the Windows operating system.

https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Desktop-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/BIOS-Update-Error-Not-Enough-Di...

[NBarisSandikci]

Aditya Did you solve the problem? I have the same problem. I did new EFI partition, there is almost 2gb free space as EFI partition but I can't delete the old one. And Minitool Partition does not work. Still I can't update the BIOS. Can you inform me?

[aditya207]

Nothing has happened. I've tried all the steps, but MiniTool Partition Wizard is not deleting the partition. The previous solution also doesn't explain how to make the new EFI partition the primary boot partition for BIOS. And there's also a high chance of BIOS corruption if we delete the old partition.

[NBarisSandikci]

Sorry to hear this. Yes there is a corruption risk. Ok, we'll try to find a way. I hope you can fix your problem. Thanks for your reply.

[erico]

Just because there is a BIOS update available, does make it a requirement that you update the BIOS.

That is something to consider if your laptop and its operating system are running well.

I believe a bit of reading up on UEFI based PC systems would increase your understanding of how it works.

I did explain in detail the steps required  to increase the size of the EFI partition with its fat32 format.

I also stated that for some people that it would be on the advanced side.

I recommend that you either not update the BIOS or that you take your laptop to a shop and explain the problem to a person who would understand.

[tk_srq]

@aditya207,

@NBarisSandikci,

I created a 500 MB EFI system partition (ESP) on my old notebook years ago thinking of installing a different OS just for fun that stores its bootloader in the same ESP, so I needed a larger partition. But I haven't installed the new OS to this day.😃

Anyway, I created a new 500 MB ESP (see the screenshot below) and deleted the original 100 MB ESP using the diskpart command in the Windows Recovery Environment (Win RE) launched via a bootable Windows installation usb drive. 

Microsoft heavily protects the ESP, and you cannot delete it within the Windows. You have to do it in Win RE.

Personally, I don't think the risk of BIOS corruption with deleting the existing ESP is any higher than the BIOS corruption risk with a BIOS update. Just my opinion. . .

If you ever want to delete the ESP in command prompt, let me know and I'll provide instructions.

There's a safer easier way to update BIOS that works around the 'there is not enough free disk space for BIOS update' error:

You need to create a BIOS recovery usb drive that stores BIOS update utility and update BIOS .bin file and signature file. This usb  drive is not bootable, however so you need to use the key combination method (press Win and B keys) to boot into BIOS recovery mode for the BIOS update. You can refer to these two HP videos: 

Creating a BIOS Recovery Flash Drive for HP Notebooks | HP Notebooks | HP Support

Restore the BIOS with a Recovery Flash Drive on HP Notebooks | HP Notebooks | HP Support

[NBarisSandikci]

Thanks a lot my friend. I am very busy these days if I have to deal with it again I will ask you. Thanks for your advice and feedback. Bios update videos are very old. My PC's Bios menus are not like this. I think the most reliable method would be to install via USB but I am afraid I will make a mistake. But if I need help I will ask you. Thanks again...