BIOS & startup errors
19 errors. Choose the message that matches your computer.
POST-FAILURE
Power-On Self Test failed. The PC will not pass the check and will not boot.
BIOS & startupCMOS-CHECKSUM-ERROR
BIOS detected invalid data in CMOS. Settings have been lost.
BIOS & startupSECURE-BOOT-VIOLATION
Secure Boot blocked unsigned boot code from running. This usually traces back to old bootloader and corrupted EFI.
BIOS & startupBIOS-UPDATE-FAIL
Firmware update failed. The board does not need to boot.
BIOS & startupTPM-NOT-FOUND
Windows 11 or BitLocker does not find the TPM 2.0 module. The usual suspects are TPM disabled in BIOS, missing physical TPM and old firmware.
BIOS & startupBIOS-UEFI-BOOT-ORDER
The computer is booting from the wrong device (USB instead of SSD or vice versa) due to the wrong sequence in the BIOS. It's most often caused by attached USB with bootable media and more OS installations.
BIOS & startupME-FIRMWARE-CORRUPTION
The Intel ME firmware is corrupted, which leads to strange problems (PC won't turn off by itself, fans running at full speed, lack of sensors). Common triggers are aborted BIOS or ME fw update, incompatible BIOS…
BIOS & startupROM-SPACE-EXHAUSTED
The board has too many associated devices with custom ROMs (eg RAID controllers, multiple GPUs) and has run out of space to initialize them (POST). Another common trigger is active Legacy and CSM boot modes.
BIOS & startupBIOS-ROM-ERR
The BIOS ROM memory is corrupted or unreadable. It sometimes comes down to defective EEPROM chip.
BIOS & startupBIOS_ROM_CORRUPTED
The motherboard BIOS firmware ROM checksum verification failed. The system cannot POST and cycles with fans at maximum speed or reports error beeps.
BIOS & startupSECURE_BOOT_RED_SCREEN
The motherboard BIOS displays a red warning screen stating 'Secure Boot Violation: Invalid signature detected' on boot, blocking startup. It sometimes comes down to unsigned operating system bootloader.
BIOS & startupUEFI-SECURE-BOOT-DB-EXPIRED
A Secure Boot signature in the UEFI signature database (db) has expired. Microsoft has been revoking old Secure Boot certificates as part of CVE mitigations (e.g., Black Lotus bootkit fix).
BIOS & startupAGESA-BOOT-FAILURE
AMD Generic Encapsulated Software Architecture (AGESA) is the foundational firmware layer that initializes AMD processor platforms. An AGESA initialization failure means the CPU, memory controller, or PCIe fabric…
BIOS & startupBoot Device Not Found
The BIOS/UEFI firmware cannot locate a bootable operating system partition or storage drive. Reports of Boot Device Not Found usually describe a sudden crash, brief unresponsiveness, or a stop-code screen appearing…
BIOS & startupOverclocking Failed
System settings or voltages configured in the BIOS/UEFI for overclocking are unstable, causing a POST failure and automatic reset to baseline. Reports of Overclocking Failed usually describe a sudden crash, brief…
BIOS & startupDRAM Light (Q-LED)
The motherboard POST diagnostic LED indicates a memory initialization error, preventing the system from booting. See the troubleshooting steps below for the fix.
BIOS & startupCPU Vcore Out of Range
The processor voltage is detected by the motherboard sensors as being outside of stable operating bounds. It's also often linked to failing power supply unit (PSU).
BIOS & startupPOST-CODE-15
Motherboard POST code 15 indicates a failure during early North-Bridge memory initialization. Commonly caused by memory compatibility issues, training timeouts on high-frequency DDR4/DDR5 sticks, or bent CPU socket pins.
BIOS & startupPOST-CODE-5D
Motherboard POST code 5d indicates that the installed CPU processor is either unrecognized or unsupported by the current motherboard BIOS firmware version. Commonly occurs after upgrading the CPU without updating the…