Rotation Lock Greyed Out and Incorrect Tablet Mode Behavior on HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 (14-ef2xxx)

[osamamansoor]

Product Information:

Model: HP Spectre x360 2-in-1 Laptop 14-ef2013 (14-ef2xxx Series)

Operating System: Windows 11 Pro, Version 10.0.26100 Build 26100

System Type: x64-based PC

Processor: Intel Core (12th Gen)

BIOS: Latest version (verified)

Configuration: Domain-joined workstation, all Windows updates and drivers applied

Issue Summary:
The device’s tablet mode and lid behavior are working in reverse.

When the user closes the lid, the system switches to tablet mode instead of going to sleep.

When the user rotates the display 360°, the laptop goes to sleep instead of entering tablet mode.

Additionally, the “Rotation Lock” option under:
Settings > System > Display > Scale & Layout > Rotation Lock
is permanently ON and greyed out — it cannot be turned off from any interface.

Expected Behavior:

Lid closed → Sleep

360° rotation → Tablet mode (auto-rotation enabled)

Current Behavior (Observed):

Lid closed → Tablet mode (auto-rotation ON)

360° rotation → Sleep

Rotation Lock → ON and greyed out (cannot be disabled)

Troubleshooting Steps Already Performed:

Verified all Windows updates and HP drivers are up to date (including BIOS).

Confirmed no GPO or domain policy affecting tablet or rotation behavior.

Checked Display Settings and Display Orientation — Rotation Lock remains greyed out.

Verified BIOS settings — no rotation or lid control options available.

Inspected Device Manager — all sensors appear normal (no yellow marks).

Attempted registry and group policy review — nothing restrictive found.

Despite all the above, the Rotation Lock remains greyed out and the behavior remains inverted.

Request for Assistance:

What could cause Rotation Lock to be greyed out on this model?

Is there a known issue or firmware update for lid-angle sensor or accelerometer misreporting?

Can HP provide a recommended sequence of driver or BIOS reinstallation (e.g., Intel Sensor Solution / Serial IO) to restore normal convertible behavior?

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @osamamansoor,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP Spectre x360 14-ef2xxx is showing greyed-out Rotation Lock and reversed tablet/lid behavior even after all updates. Let’s go through a few steps to check what could be causing this and how to restore proper 2-in-1 functionality.

Check Sensor Services
Open Services (Win + R → services.msc).
Locate Sensor Service and Sensor Monitoring Service.
Ensure both are set to Automatic and their Status is “Running.”
If stopped, right-click → Start.
Restart the laptop afterward.

Verify Sensor Drivers
Open Device Manager → Sensors.
You should see entries such as:

Intel Sensor Solution

Kionix or STMicroelectronics Accelerometer

HID Sensor Collection V2
Right-click each → Uninstall device, but keep the checkbox “Delete the driver software for this device” unchecked.
Then click Action → Scan for hardware changes to reload them.

Re-install Intel Serial IO and Sensor Solution Drivers
Download the latest versions for your 14-ef2xxx from HP’s support page.
Install Intel Serial IO Driver first, reboot, then install Intel Sensor Solution Driver, reboot again.
This refreshes the communication layer that controls lid-angle and accelerometer input.

Check Windows Mobility Sensor Settings
Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Location & Sensors → Sensor Permissions.
Confirm sensors are enabled system-wide and for all users.
If disabled by policy, toggle it ON or remove the restriction.

Confirm Display Auto-Rotation Setting
Go to Settings → System → Display → Scale & Layout.
If Rotation Lock is still greyed out, open Registry Editor (Win + R → regedit):

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AutoRotation

Ensure Enable = 1 and SensorPresent = 1.
Reboot the system after verifying.

Run HP Hardware Diagnostics (UWP App)
Open the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics for Windows app.
Run a test for Sensors and System Board.
If the lid switch or accelerometer test fails, that indicates a misreporting sensor.

Reset Power and Sensor Calibration
Shut down the laptop completely.
Unplug AC, then hold Power button for 15 seconds.
Reconnect power and boot into BIOS → Exit → Load Setup Defaults → Save and Exit.
This resets embedded controller parameters for the lid-angle sensor.

I hope this helps.

I'm glad I could help! 😊 If this resolved your issue, please mark it as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" Your feedback not only keeps us going but also helps others find the solution faster! 👍✨

Take care and have an amazing day ahead! 🚀

Best regards,

[osamamansoor]

Hi,

Thank you so much for your reply.

Issue still not resolved by below mentioned steps

Check Sensor Services
Open Services (Win + R → services.msc).
Locate Sensor Service and Sensor Monitoring Service.
Ensure both are set to Automatic and their Status is “Running.”
If stopped, right-click → Start.
Restart the laptop afterward.

***Sensor Service is running but Sensor Data Service was stopped when i try to run it automatically stopped after 5 seconds

Verify Sensor Drivers
Open Device Manager → Sensors.
You should see entries such as:

Intel Sensor Solution

Kionix or STMicroelectronics Accelerometer

HID Sensor Collection V2
Right-click each → Uninstall device, but keep the checkbox “Delete the driver software for this device” unchecked.
Then click Action → Scan for hardware changes to reload them.

Re-install Intel Serial IO and Sensor Solution Drivers
Download the latest versions for your 14-ef2xxx from HP’s support page.
Install Intel Serial IO Driver first, reboot, then install Intel Sensor Solution Driver, reboot again.
This refreshes the communication layer that controls lid-angle and accelerometer input.

*** Update all drivers from (https://support.hp.com/us-en/drivers/hp-spectre-x360-13.5-inch-2-in-1-laptop-pc-14-ef2000/model/2101...), also Installed Intel Sensor Driver (https://ftp.hp.com/pub/softpaq/sp99001-99500/sp99465.exe) 

Check Windows Mobility Sensor Settings
Open Settings → Privacy & Security → Location & Sensors → Sensor Permissions.
Confirm sensors are enabled system-wide and for all users.
If disabled by policy, toggle it ON or remove the restriction.

*** No Location and Settings found

Confirm Display Auto-Rotation Setting
Go to Settings → System → Display → Scale & Layout.
If Rotation Lock is still greyed out, open Registry Editor (Win + R → regedit):

Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\AutoRotation

Ensure Enable = 1 and SensorPresent = 1.
Reboot the system after verifying.

**** No Registry Found

Run HP Hardware Diagnostics (UWP App)
Open the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics for Windows app.
Run a test for Sensors and System Board.
If the lid switch or accelerometer test fails, that indicates a misreporting sensor.

***Passed all tests, no specific "Sensor" test there

Reset Power and Sensor Calibration
Shut down the laptop completely.
Unplug AC, then hold Power button for 15 seconds.
Reconnect power and boot into BIOS → Exit → Load Setup Defaults → Save and Exit.
This resets embedded controller parameters for the lid-angle sensor

***Performed but no change after performing this

[Garp_senchau]

Hey @osamamansoor, 

Thanks for reaching out! Since the issue remains unresolved, I suggest contacting our phone/chat support team for personalized assistance. They can provide one-on-one help and may even be able to work their remote assistance magic to fix the problem.

Note: There might be a nominal charge for the service they provide.

Regards,