I purchased an HP Omen MAX 16-ah0187TX laptop.

[KORMIN]

Hello. I'm Korean.
I'm older and don't speak English well. I'm using Google Translate.
I purchased an HP Omen MAX 16-ah0187TX laptop.
I am using SSD devices by connecting them to all USB ports.
The SSD connected to the Thunderbolt port on the top left sometimes gets recognized after booting, and sometimes it doesn't.
If you unplug the cable and plug it back in, the connection will work without any problems.
I'm guessing it's not receiving a signal during the boot process.
This isn't a problem with the SSD interface. I have the same problem regardless of the manufacturer. The problem doesn't occur with Thunderbolt port 2.
The problem only occurs with Thunderbolt port 1 on the top left.
Has anyone experienced the same problem? Please advise or provide a solution

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @KORMIN 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

I understand how inconvenient it must feel when your SSD isn’t consistently recognized on the Thunderbolt port during startup, especially since you’ve already tested with different SSD brands and confirmed the issue only happens on one port. 

Thank you for carefully observing and sharing those details—it really helps narrow down the possibilities. Let’s go through some structured steps to stabilize the connection:

 

Step 1: Update Drivers and Firmware

1. On your Windows 11 laptop, open the HP App.
2. Select your OMEN MAX 16 device.
3. Go to Settings > Preferences > Diagnose & Fix.
4. Check for updates to the Thunderbolt Controller, Chipset, and BIOS/UEFI firmware.
   • These updates often improve port initialization during boot.

 

Step 2: Adjust Thunderbolt Security Settings

1. Press Windows + I to open Settings.
2. Navigate to System > About > Advanced system settings.
3. In BIOS/UEFI (accessed by pressing F10 at startup), look for Thunderbolt Security or Port Configuration.
4. Set the port to User Authorization: No Security or Always Connect if available.
   • This ensures the SSD is recognized immediately at boot.

 

Step 3: Test Boot Behavior

• Connect the SSD to Thunderbolt port 1.
• Restart the laptop and observe whether the drive is detected.
• If not, unplug and replug once to confirm the port works after initialization.

 

Step 4: Use HP Support Resources

For more details on Thunderbolt and USB troubleshooting, you can refer to HP’s official guide: HP PCs - Troubleshooting USB Connections (Windows 11, 10).

 

Step 5: Practical Workaround

If the SSD is critical for boot‑time recognition, consider using Thunderbolt port 2 or a powered Thunderbolt dock until updates stabilize port 1 behavior.

You’ve already shown great persistence in testing across multiple SSDs, and with these steps—especially updating firmware and adjusting Thunderbolt security—you should see more consistent detection. 

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[KORMIN]

1. In BIOS/UEFI (accessed by pressing F10 at startup), look for Thunderbolt Security or Port Configuration.
2. Set the port to User Authorization: No Security or Always Connect if available.

==============

My laptop model doesn't have such a menu in its BIOS. I even replaced the motherboard, but the problem still persists. I hope the developers address this issue with a BIOS update. Otherwise, I'll never buy another HP laptop again. This is my first purchase, and I'm having a very bad experience.

[Hawks_Eye]

We sincerely thank you for your patience and co-operation during this troubleshooting process.

My sincere apologies for the inconvenience caused to you. We'd hate for you to be stuck in a situation like this. Because you matter to us.

I'm sending you a private message to guide you on the next steps.

To access it, click the private message icon in the upper-right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your name.

If this resolves your issue, kindly mark this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" if it was helpful.

Take care and have a great day!

Regards,

Hawks_Eye