Serial number not recognised for my laptop and BIOS update blocked

[nyeeeeer]

Hi there,

I have an old HP Pavilion notebook that I want to update the BIOS for, but the BIOS update is blocked after finding the correct model (HP Pavilion - 15-au124na). 

Not only that, but the serial number for the device keeps coming up as invalid despite verifying it multiple times. I can't get to any customer service contacts as a result (not email, not phone, not lie chat etc).

Grateful for any assistance

[Nal_NR]

Hi @nyeeeeer,

Welcome to the HP Support Community. 

I'd be happy to help you! 

It sounds like you're facing issues with updating the BIOS on your HP Pavilion 15-au124na notebook, where the update is blocked, and the serial number is being flagged as invalid. Here are some steps you can take to resolve these issues:

1. Verify Serial Number and Product Information

• Double-Check the Serial Number:
  • Ensure that you're entering the serial number exactly as it appears, including any uppercase/lowercase letters. You can find the serial number on the bottom of your laptop, in the battery compartment (if accessible), or on the original packaging.
• Check the Product Number:
  • Make sure you are using the correct product number (e.g., 15-au124na) and that it matches the model you are selecting on the HP website.
• Use HP Support Assistant:
  • You can also use the HP Support Assistant to automatically detect and verify your serial number and product information. This tool may also help in finding the correct BIOS update.

2. Clear NVRAM/Reset BIOS

• Clear the NVRAM:
  • Sometimes, clearing the Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) can help reset certain hardware settings, including issues with BIOS updates.
  • To clear the NVRAM, follow these steps:
    1. Power off your laptop.
    2. Press and hold the Power button for about 15 seconds to drain residual power.
    3. Reconnect the power and turn on the laptop. This may help resolve issues with the serial number and BIOS.

3. Update BIOS Using a USB Flash Drive (Recovery Method)

• Download the BIOS Update Manually:
  1. Go to the HP Drivers & Software page.
  2. Enter your model number (HP Pavilion 15-au124na) and locate the latest BIOS update for your device.
  3. Download the BIOS update file to another working computer.
• Create a BIOS Recovery USB Drive:
  1. Use the HP BIOS Update and Recovery tool to create a USB recovery drive. This tool can help bypass issues where the BIOS update is blocked in the normal environment.
  2. Insert a USB flash drive into the working computer and run the BIOS Update tool.
  3. Follow the instructions to create the USB recovery drive.
• Perform the BIOS Update:
  1. Insert the USB drive into your HP Pavilion 15-au124na.
  2. Turn on the laptop and immediately press the Esc key repeatedly, then press F2 to enter the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI.
  3. Select "Firmware Management" and choose the option to update the BIOS from the USB drive.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update.

4. Check for Hardware Issues

• Battery and Power Supply:
  • Ensure your laptop is connected to a reliable power source during the BIOS update process. A weak battery or power connection can sometimes cause issues with BIOS updates.
• Corrupt Serial Number in BIOS:
  • In rare cases, the serial number stored in the BIOS might be corrupted. If this is the case, you may need to contact HP support to have the serial number reprogrammed by a technician.

These steps should help you update the BIOS on your HP Pavilion 15-au124na and resolve the issues with the serial number being flagged as invalid. 

If the problems persist, reaching out to HP Phone Support for further assistance is recommended, especially if there's a potential hardware issue with the BIOS or serial number.