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HP Laptop Not Turning On After Update/Shutdown/Reset/Etc

It’s easy to freak out and panic when you experience your HP laptop not turning on after update/shutdown/reset/etc. An unresponsive power button is never fun. However, the problem could be fixable with a little TLC and a few tips and tricks. 

You might notice your HP laptop not turning on after update/shutdown/reset/etc. Most problems like that are caused by power supply issues, software discrepancies, and configuration problems. 

Confused man while looking at his laptop

In rare cases, the hardware is the problem. We’ll take you through some scenarios to help you figure out what your HP laptop’s ailment might be. 

HP Laptop Not Turning On After Windows Update

Pressing the power button of aptop

Many people have issues with an HP device not starting up after a Windows update. The solution could be as simple as a hard reset or as complex as a hardware issue that requires a fix. 

An HP laptop not turning on after a Windows update may need a reset. To reset it, you should first remove anything attached to it. Take all USB hubs and accessories out of the ports, and remove the AC adaptor. Find the battery compartment and remove your battery as well.

Next, you’ll need to press and hold your power button for a minimum of 15 seconds to drain all electrical residue from it. Wait a few seconds, re-install the battery, and re-attach the power cord. See if your computer powers up and runs effectively. 

Removing the BIOS Battery

If the hard reset doesn’t work, you may have to try something a little more complex and remove the BIOS battery. The BIOS battery is attached to the motherboard, so you’ll have to remove part of your laptop’s case to get to it.

You’ll likely need a T5 Torx screwdriver or something similar to remove the BIOS battery. In most cases, you can get to it by flipping your laptop to its backside to access all the screws and remove the case. The BIOS battery will likely be sitting on the left side of the motherboard.

You can replace the battery or remove it for a few minutes and put it back there. This process has helped many people to get their laptops running again.  

HP Laptop Not Turning On After Bios Update

Using laptop in the desk

Having your laptop fail to work after a BIOS update can be concerning as well. Fortunately, resets work in these situations, too. Here’s what you can do.

If your HP laptop is not turning on after a BIOS update, you’ll need to disconnect your battery and AC adaptor. Remove the BIOS battery as mentioned above. Hold the power button down for  10-15 seconds to drain all the power. Next, put the BIOS battery back in and set your case together. 

Hold Windows, V, and power button at the same time for about five seconds and release only the power button when the five seconds conclude. Your laptop should respond by taking you to the usual login screen.  

HP Laptop Not Turning On After Shutdown

frustrated woman looking at her laptop

The issue of a laptop turning off and not turning back on could have many causes. Overheating from malware or a virus is common. Insufficient power issues are another. You’ll have to try a few things to discover the cause. 

If your HP laptop is not turning on after a shutdown, you can remove the batteries and accessories and try the previously mentioned methods. However, you should wait for a significant amount of time before turning the laptop back on. That way, it can cool off if it is overheating. 

If your laptop turns back on, you can run an antivirus to check for malware. You might discover that you picked up a virus along the way and need to have your unit delete the files associated with the virus. If it doesn’t turn on, you may need to take it to an HP technician or contact support at the very least. Your unit may still be under warranty, and you can have someone fix it for you if that’s the case. 

HP Laptop Not Turning On After Sleep/Hibernate

frustrated woman looking at her laptop

You may put your laptop in sleep mode to avoid having to restart it when you come back to it. Laptops can also go into sleep mode if you don’t do anything on them for a while. You may encounter an unresponsive laptop after your laptop has gone to sleep. 

To fix a HP laptop not turning on after sleep/hibernate, you’ll need to ensure that you have it connected to a viable power source. It’s possible that its power drained while it was sleeping. Remove the battery as mentioned above and do a hard reset if that doesn’t work. 

You can also try setting your power plan to its default settings by pressing the Windows key and R simultaneously. That will activate the control box. You’ll need to hit “Enter” and click on “View By.” Change that to larger icons and then navigate to “Power Options” and “Change Plan Settings.” You can click “Restore Default Settings For This Plan” to activate the default settings. Alternatively, you can select “High Performance.”   

HP Laptop Not Turning On After Reset

Using laptop in the desk

A hard reset gets a laptop up and running in most situations. A failed hard reset indicates a severe internal issue. 

For an HP Laptop not turning on after a reset, you may have to contact HP support or take your device to a repair person. A hardware problem requires a technician to replace vital components when all other methods of troubleshooting and repair don’t work.

Fortunately,  your laptop might still be under warranty, which means you can get it fixed without having to pay. 

HP Laptop Not Turning on After Running Out of Battery

Laptop on the desk while charging

You might need to allow your laptop to have significant recharging time if it does not turn on after running out of battery life. Thus, you should try letting it charge for a half-hour before you try anything else. Also check to ensure that your power charger is working correctly. 

If your HP laptop is not turning on after running out of battery, unplug the power cord and remove the battery. See if your unit will restart normally after that. In the worst case, you could have a problem with the charging circuit or slot, and you’ll need a technician to help you with it.

HP Laptop not Turning on After Water Spill

Using laptop in the desk

Spilling liquid on your computer is scary because it can cause your device not to turn back on. Try not to be too alarmed if you’re having this issue. You may have gotten some of the liquid on the motherboard, but there’s still hope for your device’s recovery. 

If your HP laptop is not turning on after a water spill, unplug it from any electrical components and remove the battery immediately. Remove any accessories that might be attached to it so that it’s virtually bare. Grab a dry towel and dry off the outside of the unit.

After that, unscrew the case and remove the cover so that you can access the areas where the liquid may have penetrated the case. Dry any wet spots you see and sit the laptop in an area where it can have a significant amount of time to dry. You may be able to save it if you get to it soon enough. 

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on April 29, 2022.

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