Troubleshooting HP Laptop Boot Issues: Reverting to UEFI Mode

Have you encountered boot issues on your HP laptop? If so, you're not alone! This article provides a comprehensive guide to troubleshoot boot issues by switching your system back to UEFI mode.

Accessing BIOS/UEFI Settings

When your HP laptop boots, it might prompt you to enter the BIOS/UEFI settings. Here's how to access these settings:

Restart your laptop. Repeatedly press the appropriate key to enter the BIOS/UEFI setup (commonly F2, F10, ESC, or DEL). Different laptops may use different keys, and you can check the HP support website or your laptop's manual for the correct key.

Check Boot Mode

In the BIOS/UEFI setup, look for a section related to boot options or boot mode. Ensure that your system is set to UEFI mode.

If you cannot directly change the boot mode, consider the following options:

Change the boot mode to UEFI if possible. Check if there are advanced options to switch between UEFI and Legacy modes.

Restore Default Settings

If switching to UEFI mode doesn't resolve the issue, look for an option to 'Load Default Settings' or 'Load Optimized Defaults' in the BIOS menu. This option often resets the configuration to factory defaults, which may include reverting to UEFI mode.

Check Boot Order

Verify that your primary boot device (usually your hard drive or SSD where Windows is installed) is listed first in the boot order. Ensure that the drive with the Windows installation is recognized.

If you have multiple drives, make sure the correct drive is set as the first boot device.

Disable Legacy Support

If you can access the legacy support option, make sure it is disabled. This is critical for UEFI systems.

Check Secure Boot Settings

If your system supports Secure Boot, you may need to enable it after switching back to UEFI mode.

Save Changes and Exit

After making the necessary changes, save your settings and exit the BIOS/UEFI setup. Your laptop should now attempt to boot in UEFI mode.

Repair Windows Boot

If your laptop still does not boot, you can use a Windows installation media (USB or DVD) to repair the boot configuration:

Boot from the installation media. Select 'Repair your computer'. Choose 'Troubleshoot' 'Advanced options' 'Command Prompt'. In the Command Prompt, run the following commands: bootrec /fixmbr bootrec /fixboot bootrec /scanos bootrec /rebuildbcd

Reinstall Windows if Necessary

If all else fails and you cannot recover your system, you may need to consider reinstalling Windows. Be sure to back up any important data if possible before proceeding.

Additional Considerations

If you continue to have trouble, consult HP's support resources or forums for specific guidance related to your laptop model.

Finally, ensure that your hard drive or SSD is functioning properly, as hardware issues can also lead to boot problems.

By following these steps, you should be able to resolve the boot issue on your HP laptop and return to a fully functional system.