Flashing screen with Blinking Caps Lock

[9_47]

I’m on a model 14-dq0054dx laptop. I was using it tonight with no problems occurring and then closed it to grab some papers. I came back, opened it, and then all I got was the screen flashing a couple times, and then the caps lock button would start blinking. The computer has also been saying that it has low disk space, but I didn’t pay much attention to it, since I was planning on getting an external hard drive soon. Are these issues connected? How can I fix the laptop to get it working again?

[brandonkeller21 · Accepted solution]

The low disk space and the problem you’re seeing aren’t really connected — running out of storage just slows things down, but it won’t stop the laptop from turning on. The caps lock blinking is actually HP’s way of showing an error code. If you count the number of blinks in the pattern, it points to which part has failed (RAM, CPU, BIOS, etc.).

The first thing I’d try is a hard reset: unplug the charger, hold down the power button for 15–20 seconds, then plug it back in and try again. If that doesn’t work, it’s often the RAM. On your model, you can remove the back cover, take the memory stick out, and reseat it. If there are two sticks, test one at a time. DHC Menu

If it still just blinks, you’ll want to look up HP’s blink code chart and match the number of flashes — that’ll tell you exactly what failed. If it points to the motherboard or CPU, that’s a repair shop job.