Laptop shutting off after a few seconds

[please-help-135]

I have this laptop that was powered off during a Windows update because "the update took too long".

On pressing the power button, the power light turns on and the fan starts spinning. Then, after a few (1-3) seconds, the computer powers off again.

This also occurs when there is no RAM, SSD and battery (powered through AC).

I have tried:

• Getting into bios recovery with `Win+B` (not enough time)
• Hard resetting the laptop by holding down the power button with no power for 30 seconds
• Trying to include different combinations of RAM, SSD and battery

What could I do to fix the power on issue? I think it's got something to do with BOIS corruption, but I'm not sure.

[Max3Aj]

@please-help-135, Welcome to HP Support Community. 

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you. 
It sounds like you're dealing with a challenging situation with your HP 15s-fq2733TU laptop. Given the symptoms you've described, it's clear we're looking at a potential BIOS issue or motherboard failure. Let's go through the recommended steps to troubleshoot further.

Likely Root Causes:

1. Corrupted Embedded Controller (EC) / BIOS due to an interrupted update.
2. Motherboard-level failure — issues with power circuitry, BIOS chip, or CPU initialization.
3. Short-circuit or grounding issue — although unlikely, it’s still a possibility.
4. EC watchdog timer triggers a shutdown when the system fails to POST in time (common in BIOS failures).

Recommended Steps:

✅ 1. Try Crisis BIOS Recovery via USB (Blind Flash)

If the BIOS is corrupted due to a bad update, this method may help restore it.Steps:

1. Download the latest BIOS for your HP 15s-fq2733TU from the HP Support site.
2. Use a working PC to run the BIOS installer — this will extract files to C:\SWSetup\SPxxxxx.
3. Locate the BIOS file (look for *.bin or *.fd) and copy it to a FAT32-formatted USB drive. Rename it as needed:
   • Try renaming it to HPBIOS.bin, BIOS.fd, or NEWBIOS.bin.
4. Insert the USB into your laptop.
5. Hold Win + B (or Win + V if B doesn’t work) and then press and hold the power button for 2–3 seconds. Release only the power button while continuing to hold Win+B until you see a light blink, hear beeps, or observe any screen activity.

✅ 2. Check Power Delivery / CMOS Battery

Even though the laptop powers on briefly:

• Try a different AC adapter if available.
• If you can access the motherboard, check the CMOS battery. A dead CMOS battery can cause boot issues in some cases.
• If the motherboard has a resettable RTC (Real-Time Clock) circuit, look for a pad labeled “RTC RESET” or “CMOS CLEAR” and short it gently for a few seconds.

✅ 3. Inspect the Motherboard (Visual Check)

If you're comfortable with hardware:

• Open the laptop and inspect for burn marks, corrosion, or broken components.
• Check the DC jack area for any loose or broken solder joints.
• If the CPU is not soldered, consider re-seating it carefully.
• Test the RAM slots individually, although you’ve already tried this.

✅ 4. External Monitor Check

While unlikely given your symptoms, you can try connecting an external monitor via HDMI to see if the laptop is powering on but not displaying anything.
 

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