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- HP Community
- Notebooks
- Notebook Operating System and Recovery
- Failed factory reset

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05-17-2025 01:55 PM
Hello there, I have a problem with my laptop, it's a 2009 model running Windows 10. Today I tried to factory reset it(and remove everything), however, after reaching 100% on the factory reset, it claimed that an error occurred and so the factory reset wasn't done. Then I tried to fix it and was given a few options. I chose USB, but realised I couldn't do anything so I left it. The screen went back to the logo, then the logo disappeared and after some time completely black. Then the screen went back to the logo again, then the logo disappeared, and after some time, it went completely black, This continued for over 15 minutes. Then I switched it of and turned my laptop back on again, same thing. I eventually decided to just leave it, but the battery ran out and it died, and even after powering it on again it's still doing the same thing.
N.B: I had also tried to follow a tip I saw and pressed esc many times until it took me to that black screen with a few options selected by different keys, but I couldn't complete it as the up, down and sideways arrows on my laptop don't work(neither does "backspace" work), and just had to switch it off, then power it on again to leave that page(I tried to follow the tip about 3-4 times before eventually giving up altogether).
05-19-2025 04:05 PM
@S_K45, Welcome to HP Support Community,
Thank you for posting your query; I’m here to help by guiding you through steps to resolve this issue
Use a USB Keyboard
Since your built-in keyboard is partly non-functional:
Plug in a USB keyboard and restart the laptop.
Tap Esc repeatedly as it boots to access the Boot Menu or System Recovery options.
Navigate using the USB keyboard to choose:
System Recovery
Or Boot from USB if you’ve created a Windows installation USB (see below).
Create a Windows 10 USB Installer
If recovery options don't work, the best fix is a clean install:
What You Need:
A working PC
An empty USB flash drive (at least 8GB)
On another computer, go to the Microsoft Media Creation Tool.
Download the tool and create a bootable USB with Windows 10.
Plug the USB into your broken laptop.
Turn it on and press F9 or Esc repeatedly to open the Boot Menu.
Choose the USB drive and begin the installation.
⚠️ This will erase everything.
I hope this helps.
Please feel free to reply here if you have any questions or if you need further clarification on any of the steps.
Take care and have a good day.
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Regards,
Garp_Senchau
I am an HP Employee