How to Fix an HP Laptop Failing to Boot Up Properly?

An HP laptop failing to boot up properly can be a frustrating experience. Fortunately, there are several solutions to resolve the issue, helping you get your device back on track.

Gia

By Gia / Updated on May 7, 2025

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My HP laptop won’t start properly; the screen stays black, and nothing shows up. Has anyone faced this issue before? Any suggestions on how to fix it?

- Question from User

An HP laptop not starting can be caused by various factors, including hardware issues, software corruption, or file system errors. In this post, we will guide you through the most common methods to fix an HP laptop that's not booting up. If you're facing this issue, keep reading to find the solution that works best for you.

How to Fix an HP Laptop Failing to Boot Up?

This section outlines four practical methods to fix an HP laptop not booting up. Select the one that best suits your needs.

Fix 1: Check for Display Issues

If you turn on your HP laptop and the screen stays dark while the power light is on, the issue might be related to the screen itself. Here’s how to check it:

Step 1: Unplug all external devices to make sure they don’t cause any problems with the startup.

Step 2: Try turning up the screen brightness to see if that helps. If not, the issue might be with the screen’s inverter.

Step 3: To check if the screen is broken, connect your laptop to an external monitor using a VGA, HDMI, or DisplayPort cable.

Step 4: Then, press the Fn + F4 key to switch between the laptop screen and the external monitor. If the laptop works properly with the external monitor, the screen likely needs to be fixed.

If the issue is not related to the screen, move on to the next solution to repair your HP laptop.

Fix 2: Repair an Unbootable HP Laptop Using Software

In the worst-case scenario, your HP laptop may fail to boot, and Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) could be inaccessible due to system errors. In such cases, creating a bootable disk becomes essential. By inserting the bootable disk into your laptop, you can successfully start it up and perform a boot repair. We highly recommend using AOMEI Partition Assistant, which not only supports creating a bootable disk but also offers professional repair tools to restore your PC. With this easy-to-use software, you can resolve a variety of issues on Windows 11, 10, 8/8.1, and 7 with just a few clicks. Feel free to download it below to start fixing your laptop now!

A Step-by-Step Guide on fixing an HP laptop not booting up:

Step 1: Install AOMEI Partition Assistant on a working PC and connect a USB drive with sufficient storage space. Skip this step if your PC is already booting properly.

Step 2: Open the software and select the Boot Repair tool under the Recover section.

Boot Repair

Step 3: Click on the Create a Bootable Disk option to create a WinPE Boot Repair USB drive.

Create Bootable Disk

Step 4: Insert the USB drive into the non-booting HP laptop, then enter the BIOS settings to change the boot order, ensuring that the system boots from the USB. The Boot Repair tool will load automatically and scan the boot entries.

Boot Entries in WinPE

Step 5: Once the scan completes, you will see detailed results, including system paths, versions, and boot status. Select the boot entries that need repair and click the Repair button.

Repair in WinPE

Step 6: Wait for the repair process to complete. Afterward, remove the bootable USB drive and reboot the PC from the original system drive.

Repair Successfully in WinPE

Fix 3: Boot Into Safe Mode

If your HP laptop fails to boot but WinRE is still accessible, you can try entering Safe Mode. This mode starts Windows with a minimal set of drivers, which supports resolving software-related issues, such as recently installed programs or updates that may have caused the boot failure.

Step 1: Turn off your computer, then turn it back on and repeatedly press the Esc key until the Startup Menu opens, and press F11 to begin a system recovery.

Step 2: Once in WinRE, click Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart.

Step 3: After your PC restarts, you’ll see several options. Press F4 to F6 to enter Safe Mode based on your needs.

Enable Safe Mode Types

Step 4: Once in Safe Mode, check if the issue persists. If you can access the desktop, you can try uninstalling recently installed programs or drivers that might be causing the issue.

Tips: This method is also effective for resolving driver conflicts, persistent blue screen errors, disk issues or corruption, and other common system problems.

Fix 4: Access WinRE for Repair

If none of the previous fixes worked, consider accessing the WinRE for repair. WinRE provides several advanced options that can help resolve various boot issues. Follow these steps to access it:

Step 1: Restart your PC multiple times to trigger WinRE as mentioned above. 

Step 2: Once in WinRE, navigate to Troubleshoot > Advanced options. Here are several effective repair options available:

Advanced Option

Startup Repair: Automatically fixes issues preventing Windows from booting properly.
✦ System Restore: Restores your computer to an earlier working state using restore points.
✦ Uninstall Updates: Removes problematic updates that might have caused boot issues.
✦ Command Prompt: Allows you to run command-line tools (e.g., bootrec, chkdsk, sfc) to troubleshoot and fix boot problems.

Step 3: Choose the option that best suits your needs and follow the on-screen prompts to repair your HP laptop that fails to boot up.

Conclusion

HP laptop failing to boot up can be a stressful experience, but as we've discussed, there are several methods available to help resolve the issue. If you're looking for an effective and straightforward solution, consider using AOMEI Partition Assistant. This tool helps address various boot problems, whether your device is working or not. We hope these steps help you restore your HP laptop to normal functionality!

FAQs

Q1: What should I do if my HP laptop is stuck on the HP logo and not booting up?

You can create a bootable USB drive and insert it into your laptop. This should help your device start up properly.

Q2: What should I do if my HP laptop is showing a black screen but the power light is on?

If the screen remains black but the power light is on, try adjusting the screen brightness or connecting your laptop to an external monitor. If the laptop works fine on the external monitor but not on its screen, the issue may be with the display or the graphics card.

Q3: How can I prevent this issue from happening again with my HP laptop?

  • Always use a compatible charger and avoid overcharging.
  • Keep the laptop's vents clean to prevent overheating.
  • Regularly update your BIOS and drivers through the HP website.
  • Handle the laptop carefully to protect internal components from damage.
Gia
Gia · Staff Editor
Gia is an editor of AOMEI Technology. She possesses comprehensive expertise in resolving common computer challenges. Her methodical training equips her to craft articles that have provided indispensable guidance to countless users grappling with technical issues.