BIOS Update F.35Ap1 kills HDMI port on ENVY laptop

[BugFinder]

After installing the firmware updated marked Softpaq number: SP75152, Version F.35Ap1 now four of our laptops (13" ENVY and 14" ENVY) have a non-functioning HDMI port. External screens report 'no signal'.

We've spent a lot of time with HP support (via Hong Kong we ended up in India). Remote Control sessions. All a waste of time. The BIOS update is faulty, no system restore can fix this.

Even still today (13 JUN 2016) one of our laptops automatically installed this BIOS update with the HP Support Assistant, and killed the HDMI port.

A. Is there a way to acquire and install the previous BIOS?

B. When can we expect a new BIOS update?

C. How the hell did this BIOS update get past testing??? --> 4 out of 4 updated laptops have a broken HDMI port. We have 7 other laptops left that are fortunately not updated.

[DebVancouver]

I too did the BIOS upgrade to my ENVY 12t-d0000 which caused my HDMI to stop working.  After several hours with HP chat support and some sort of bios update, I'm still w/out a working HDMI.  I have been expecting an ecalation case manager to contact me, but it's been 40 hours so far (was promised to be contacted w/in 48 hours).  At this point, even though I've been a loyal HP customer for years, I'm VERY FRUSTRATED.

Any suggestions on what I can try next?

[BugFinder]

No suggestions, we've been waiting since Thursday (in China). We're well past 100 hours now.

So I REALLY hope someone from HP notices this, and/or all the calls and chats we have had about BIOS update.

[Malygris1 · Accepted solution]

Hi there @BugFinder, and @DebVancouver,

Welcome to the HP Support Forums!  It is a great place to find the help you need, from other users, HP experts, and other support personnel. From what I gather bothl of you are having the same issue with HDMI after a BIOS update.  I am happy to help with this.

I would suggest, if possible, that each of you try HP Notebook PCs - Restoring the BIOS to rollback to the previously working BIOS.  The main intent is to get you back to a working state. If that method does work for you, obviously do not install that BIOS update again.

Edit: Bugfinder reported that the Restoring the BIOS method did work for him, but he had to do it multiple times (4 times in at least one case). I guess you could say he is living up to his name, and thank you very much for the feedback.

Please let me know whether that works for any of you, and if not let me know if there is an error message of any kind. If this does resolve your immediate issue, please mark this post as a solution. Kudos would also be appreciated.

[DebVancouver]

I believe the online chat agent I worked with 2 days ago tried that, with no change to the HDMI.  Now, when I try to run the HP HW Diagnostic found on the HP Support site, I get an error saying that I have a newer version already.

[DebVancouver]

I just notice the option to try to install a previous version.  I'm trying that now.  Wish me luck.

[DebVancouver]

Drat, didn't work.  BIOS update didn't allow me to install a previous version (F.25 Rev A)

[DebVancouver]

I have not idea why, but 'just for grins' I restarted everything, re-seated the HDMI cable and now it's working.  Do I trust it to continue working?

[Malygris1]

@DebVancouver,

By any chance have you tried to reinstall the graphics driver for your notebook?  It may help.

Let me know the result either way.

[DebVancouver]

I tried to run an HP HW diagnostic, but got an error that I had a new version (probably something the chat agent put on my system somewhere, not sure where).  I then tried to re-install an older version of the BIOS (f.25) but only had the option to create a USB drive BIOS recovery file so I closed that option.  I then, just for grins, restarted both my monitor and laptop and re-connected both ends of my HDMI cable.  It now works.

according to System Info I have BIOS veriosn Insyde f.35, 3/4/2016, SMBIOS 2.8