Still unable to upgrade to F.73 BIOS

[kjoe666]

As per previous thread (https://h30434.www3.hp.com/t5/Notebook-Hardware-and-Upgrade-Questions/Unable-to-upgrade-to-F-73-BIOS...), I am still unable to install this latest BIOS.

I recently charged storage drive so took the opportunity to test the theory from another user about installing on Windows 10 - this had exactly the same result. I suspect the BIOS installer is faulty in some way, unless anyone with the same laptop model can confirm a successful install?

[Raj_05]

Hi @kjoe666,

Welcome to HP Support Community.

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

If you're still unable to upgrade the BIOS on your HP Notebook 17 to version F.73, here are some troubleshooting steps you can try.

Confirm Compatibility

• Double-check that the F.73 BIOS update is specifically designed for your exact laptop model. Verify the model number against the download page on the HP support website.

Use the HP Support Assistant

• If you're not already using it, download and install the HP Support Assistant. It can detect and install the correct BIOS update for your system.

Update Using a USB Drive (BIOS Recovery Method)

• If the BIOS installer isn't working on Windows, you can use the HP BIOS Recovery USB tool:
  1. Download the BIOS update file from the HP website.
  2. Use the HP BIOS Update Utility to create a bootable USB drive with the BIOS update.
  3. Restart your laptop, enter the BIOS (usually by pressing Esc or F10 during boot), and select the USB drive to initiate the update.

Reset BIOS Settings

• Access your current BIOS settings by restarting your laptop and pressing Esc or F10 during boot.
• Restore default settings, save, and exit. Then, try installing the update again.

Temporarily Disable Antivirus Software

• Sometimes, antivirus software can interfere with BIOS updates. Disable your antivirus temporarily and retry the installation.

Check for Battery or AC Power Issues

• Ensure your battery is charged to at least 70% and the laptop is plugged into a reliable power source. The update will fail if power conditions are unstable.

Run the Update in Safe Mode

• Boot into Safe Mode in Windows and attempt the BIOS update there. This prevents third-party software from interfering with the process.

Inspect the BIOS Installer Logs

• Check for logs or error messages generated by the BIOS installer. These may provide insight into the failure.

Try an Older BIOS Version

• If F.73 won't install, try installing the previous BIOS version. Once installed, retry upgrading to F.73.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping!

Alden4

HP Support 

[kjoe666]

Hello,

I have tried this:

"Update Using a USB Drive (BIOS Recovery Method)
If the BIOS installer isn't working on Windows, you can use the HP BIOS Recovery USB tool:
Download the BIOS update file from the HP website.
Use the HP BIOS Update Utility to create a bootable USB drive with the BIOS update.
Restart your laptop, enter the BIOS (usually by pressing Esc or F10 during boot), and select the USB drive to initiate the update."

Is this created with the same BIOS installer as downloaded from the HP website, or is it a seperately available utility? I tried to create a bootable USB stick from the BIOS installer and it does not appear to be bootable (even when selecting the USB drive as the boot device). 

[Max3Aj]

Hi @kjoe666, 

Thank you for your response. 

The HP BIOS Recovery USB tool is not a separate utility that you download independently—it is typically included in the BIOS update package downloaded from the HP website. However, if the BIOS installer you downloaded is not creating a bootable USB, try the following advanced troubleshooting steps:

Manually Create a Bootable USB for BIOS Recovery

If the standard BIOS update method isn’t working, manually create a bootable USB:

• Format a USB drive as FAT32 (not NTFS).
• Download the correct BIOS update file (.exe) from the HP support page for your exact model.
• Extract the .exe using a tool like 7-Zip (right-click → Extract Here).
• Look for a .bin or .fd file (this is the BIOS firmware).
• Copy the BIOS firmware file to the root of the USB drive.

Force BIOS Recovery Mode

If your laptop isn’t recognizing the bootable USB, try these steps:

• Turn off your laptop.
• Press and hold the "Win + B" keys, then power on the laptop.
• Continue holding Win + B for about 10-15 seconds until you hear a few beeps.
• If successful, the BIOS recovery tool should detect the USB and attempt to update the BIOS.

Use HP UEFI Diagnostics to Reinstall BIOS

• If your laptop has the HP UEFI Diagnostics partition, you may be able to use it to reinstall the BIOS.
• Restart the laptop and press F2 repeatedly until the UEFI Diagnostics menu appears.
• Look for a BIOS Management or BIOS Update option and follow the instructions.

Try a DOS-Based BIOS Flash

Some HP BIOS updates allow flashing using a DOS environment:

• Use Rufus to create a FreeDOS bootable USB.
• Copy the extracted BIOS files onto the USB.
• Boot into DOS mode from the USB (press Esc → Select Boot Device).
• Run the BIOS update command (usually something like flash.bat or BIOSUPDATE.EXE).

[Max3Aj]

Reset EC (Embedded Controller) Before Trying Again

The Embedded Controller can sometimes interfere with BIOS updates:

• Disconnect the charger and remove the laptop battery (if possible).
• Hold the power button for 30-60 seconds.
• Reconnect power and attempt the BIOS update again.

Check TPM and Secure Boot Settings

• Enter BIOS (Esc or F10 at boot).
• Disable Secure Boot (if enabled).
• Disable TPM (Trusted Platform Module) if it's causing compatibility issues.
• Save changes and exit, then retry the BIOS update.

I hope this helps. 

Take care and have a good day. 

Please click “Accepted Solution” if you feel my post solved your issue, it will help others find the solution. Click the “Kudos/Thumbs Up" on the bottom right to say “Thanks” for helping! 

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[kjoe666]

Hi, update on the suggestions given:

Manually Create a Bootable USB for BIOS Recovery - if I extract the BIOS update EXE file all I get is another EXE file - this in turn cannot be extracted any further with 7-Zip

Force BIOS Recovery Mode - I can access this mode but simply get the message "BIOS Recovery files not found / Please plug BIOS Recovery USB flash drive'". I have tried two different USB ports on the laptop, same result.

Use HP UEFI Diagnostics to Reinstall BIOS - no option for BIOS update here

Try a DOS-Based BIOS Flash - can't do this because I can't extract the BIOS files (see above)

[kjoe666]

Update on suggestions

Reset EC (Embedded Controller) Before Trying Again - battery is not removable without taking the laptop apart.

Check TPM and Secure Boot Settings - tried disabling both of these and no effect on ability to recognise bootable BIOS update flash drive

[kjoe666]

Thanks for the suggestions, but given that various previous iterations of BIOS for this laptop installed via Windows without any issues, it seems highly likely the fault is with the installer for this particular BIOS version.

[Max3Aj]

Hi @kjoe666, Welcome to the HP Support Community 

  

I understand you are facing an issue with the BIOS update. Not to worry I will help you to get a resolution to resolve the issue. 

  

This needs one-on-one interaction hence  

Thank you for your response,  

I'm sending a private message to assist you with the next action. 

  

Please check your Private message icon on the upper right corner of your HP Community profile Next, to your profile Name, you should see a little blue envelope, please click on it or simply click on this link. 

  

I hope this helps! Keep me posted. 

  

Max3Aj

HP Support 

[Rocco75]

@Max3Aj did you manage to find a way to get the BIOS reinstalled for Kjoe666?  I have a different model laptop, but a similar issue. When I created the BIOS Recovery USB drive, it keeps telling me “BIOS Recovery Files Not Found. Please plug BIOS Recovery USB flash drive.“ I have tried the Windows + B and Windows + V method and same thing happens. Any help would be greatly appreciated.