Can't Find Hard Drive Error

[DaRealBigDaddyG]

Ever since my BIOS upgrade last month (March 2025), my laptop has been shutting down randomly indicating Hard Drive cannot be found, or that there was an unknown error.  I have been able to restart immediately most times with one or two attempts, but today it took several tries and the Boot Up diagnostics showed no hard drive.  I was eventually able to recover and get back up, but this is getting worrisome as I rely on my laptop for all of my work - both personal and for my volunteer work with a veterans organization.

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @DaRealBigDaddyG,

Welcome to the HP Support Community! 

Thanks for reaching out about your query regarding your laptop!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

Try these steps:

1. Check BIOS Settings:

• Restart your laptop and enter the BIOS setup by pressing F10 during startup.
• Verify that the hard drive is properly recognized in the BIOS settings.
• Ensure the BIOS settings are correctly configured to match your hardware setup.

2. Update BIOS:

• Ensure that you have the latest BIOS version installed. Sometimes, issues may arise after a BIOS upgrade due to compatibility problems with the latest version.
• Visit the HP Support website and check for any newer BIOS updates or patches that may address your issue.

3. Perform Hard Drive Diagnostic:

• Use the built-in HP hardware diagnostics tool to perform a thorough hard drive test.
  • Restart your laptop and press Esc during startup, then select F2 for System Diagnostics.
  • Run a comprehensive hard drive test to check for any errors.

4. Check Hard Drive Connections:

• If comfortable, open the laptop and ensure that the hard drive connections are secure.
• Reseat the hard drive cables to make sure they are firmly attached.

5. Update Drivers:

• Ensure all system drivers are updated, especially storage and chipset drivers.
• You can update drivers using the HP Support Assistant or directly from the HP Support website.

6. Reinstall Operating System:

• In some cases, reinstalling the operating system can resolve underlying issues related to hardware recognition.
• Ensure you have a backup of your important data before proceeding with an OS reinstall.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

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Best regards,