HP Pavilion Gaming 15 - Second RAM slot not working, both RAM sticks work in Slot 1

[hamak]

Title: HP Pavilion Gaming 15-ec2000 / Model 15-ec2000 - Second RAM slot not working, both RAM sticks work in Slot 1

Hello HP Community,

I have an HP Pavilion 15.6 inch Gaming Laptop PC 15-ec2000 series.

HP product/model reference:
hp-pavilion-15.6-inch-gaming-laptop-pc-15-ec2000/2100188522/model/2100188532

The laptop is around 4 years old. Recently, I discovered that the laptop only detects 16GB of RAM, even though I have two 16GB DDR4 SODIMM sticks installed.

After careful testing, this is what I found:

• RAM Stick A works correctly when installed alone in Slot 1.

• RAM Stick B also works correctly when installed alone in Slot 1.

• The BIOS detects 16GB when either stick is installed in Slot 1.

• HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Memory Quick Test passes successfully with the detected 16GB.

• However, when I install either RAM stick alone in Slot 2, the laptop does not boot / the screen stays black.

• When I install both RAM sticks together, the BIOS still detects only 16GB.

• I inspected Slot 2 carefully and could not see any obvious broken pin, bent contact, burn mark, or visible physical damage.

• I reseated the RAM several times and gently cleaned the area, but the issue remains.

• I once got a CMOS Reset 502 message after disconnecting/reseating hardware, but the laptop boots normally again when RAM is installed in Slot 1.

From these tests, it seems that both RAM sticks are working correctly, but Slot 2 is not detecting memory or is preventing POST.

My questions:

1. Is this a known issue with the HP Pavilion Gaming 15-ec2000 series?

2. Is there any BIOS setting, BIOS update, CMOS reset, or hardware reset procedure that could fix this?

3. Could this be caused by a loose contact, weak pressure, or cracked solder joint under the RAM slot?

4. Is there a safe repair option for Slot 2 without replacing the entire motherboard?

5. Has anyone successfully fixed this issue by cleaning, reseating, updating BIOS, or repairing the RAM slot?

I also found several similar reports online from HP Pavilion / HP Pavilion Gaming users where both RAM sticks worked in one slot, but the second RAM slot failed to detect memory or prevented the laptop from booting. This makes me wonder if there is a known weakness around the RAM slot contact, soldering, or motherboard design in this series.

I would appreciate any official HP guidance or advice from users who experienced the same problem.

Thank you.