I can't update the BIOS.

[soneX1]

I'm using an HP Pavilion 15-EC0012NT laptop and my BIOS version is showing as F.20 with Border ID 86D5. I need to update my BIOS. I'm downloading the necessary BIOS update file from the website under "My Computer", but the signature files are listed as 086D4. When I try to update the BIOS using F9, I get an "unable to open signature file" error. Win+B doesn't work either. Please help quickly.

[Jerry_57 · Accepted solution]

Hi @soneX1,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.

Thank you for posting your query. I will be glad to help you.

I hear that your BIOS update is failing because you downloaded the wrong firmware version, which has an incorrect Board ID for your laptop (086D4 instead of 086D5). Forcing an update with mismatched files will cause errors.
 

To fix this, download the correct BIOS file from the HP Software and Driver Downloads page for your exact laptop model.
 

Step 1: Prepare the Correct USB Drive

1. Insert a USB flash drive into your PC. (Note: It will be formatted, so back up any important files.
    
2. Download the correct BIOS executable from https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp150501-151000/sp150941.exe .
    
3. Run the .exe file. In the installation wizard, click Next, accept the terms, and choose Create Recovery USB flash drive.
    
4. Select your USB drive, click Next, and wait for the files to successfully copy over.

Step 2: Install via the HP UEFI Menu

1. Keep the laptop plugged into the power adapter.
    
2. Turn off your HP Pavilion.
    
3. Turn it back on and immediately press the F2 key repeatedly to enter the HP Hardware Diagnostics UEFI menu.
    
4. Go to Firmware Management (or BIOS Management) > BIOS Update.
    
5. Select the BIOS Image to Apply and navigate to your USB drive.
    
6. Select the update file that matches your 86D5 Board ID (the file will usually have a "0" before the ID, like 086D5.bin).
    
7. Click Apply Update Now and let the process complete. Do not turn off the laptop during the update.
    

I hope this will help.

 

Take care and have a good day.

[soneX1]

I think my menu in F2 is a bit old; it only has test tools and I can't update it.

[Jerry_57]

Thank you for your response.

After making the USB bootable and copying the BIOS driver onto it, please follow the steps below:

Turn off your HP laptop completely.
 

• Insert your bootable USB pen drive into an available USB port.
   
• Turn on the laptop and immediately start tapping the F9 key repeatedly (about once a second) before the HP logo appears.
   
• When the Boot Device Options menu appears, use the arrow keys to select your USB drive.
   
• Press Enter to boot from the pen drive
  
   

[soneX1]

The signature files in the folder you sent are also the same, 086D4, and I'm still getting the same error. Could the driver on the site be wrong? The one I downloaded from the site is the same as the one you sent, and that's why I'm getting the same error. Is there a way I can contact you more easily? It takes too long to communicate here.

[Jerry_57]

Thank you for your response.

Could you please share the error message here?

[soneX1]

unable to open bios signature file 

[Jerry_57]

Are you getting any error message while booting the pc?

[soneX1]

I'm getting the same error. What I mean is, the BIOS update files on the site and the ones you sent don't match my BIOS signature version and BIOS version, so I'm getting an error and can't update it.

[Jerry_57]

Kindly share the error message with us.

May I know if you are connecting the power adapter while updating the BIOS driver?