You may have been told to load BIOS defaults to fix a boot problem, a failed Windows update or a setting you changed by mistake. The BIOS (the small program that starts the laptop before Windows loads) is easy to open and easy to reset, but a few precautions decide whether the reset is routine or stressful. This guide is for owners of HP Pavilion, Victus, ProBook, EliteBook and similar laptops, and shows the steps in order.
How do you reset an HP laptop BIOS to default settings?
Short answer: save your files and find your BitLocker recovery key, then restart the laptop and tap Esc repeatedly until the Startup Menu appears (on many HP models). Press F10 to open BIOS Setup, choose the option to restore or apply defaults, confirm, and select Save Changes and Exit. The laptop restarts. The exact menu wording can differ between HP models and BIOS versions.
Before you start
- Plug in the charger. Never reset on a nearly empty battery.
- Find your BitLocker recovery key. Sign in to your Microsoft account on a phone or another computer and look for recovery keys. Our guide to finding a BitLocker recovery key explains this, and a real example is in our HP BIOS update and BitLocker case.
- Write down current settings. If you changed the boot order, virtualisation or another option on purpose, photograph those screens. Defaults will undo them.
- Save your work and close all programs. See our backup checklist.
The steps
1. Open the Startup Menu
Switch the laptop off completely. Press the power button and immediately start tapping Esc once a second. The HP Startup Menu appears with a list of options.
2. Enter BIOS Setup
Press F10 to open BIOS Setup. Use the arrow keys, or the touchpad if your version supports it.
3. Load the defaults
Look on the Main or Exit tab for an item such as Restore Defaults, Apply Factory Defaults and Exit, or Load Setup Defaults. Some HP models show F9 as a shortcut. Choose it and confirm.
4. Save and exit
Select Save Changes and Exit (often F10) and confirm. Do not switch off while the laptop restarts. The first start may take longer than usual, and that is normal.
If the reset menu offers more than one choice, pick the one that restores defaults only. Do not choose anything that clears or changes passwords or security keys unless a technician has told you to.
What to check afterwards
- Windows starts normally. If it asks for the BitLocker key, enter it.
- The date and time are correct. They sometimes reset.
- Any setting you changed on purpose, such as boot order, is set again.
The KB5121003 reports: what is known
Microsoft released update KB5121003 on 11 August 2026. PCWorld reported on 14 September 2026, and Windows Report also covered it, that the update failed to install on some HP PCs: the laptop restarted, stayed at the HP logo, ran Automatic Repair or rolled the update back, and some people saw error 0x800f0845. According to those reports, some users said an HP support representative advised them to load BIOS defaults, after which the update installed. Microsoft's own page for this update does not mention HP or BIOS, and neither Microsoft nor HP has been reported to say the update damages the BIOS. Treat the defaults reset as one reported fix, not a proven one.
The reports are in PCWorld and Windows Report. Whether the problem is still present can change, so check Windows Update history and Microsoft's Windows release health page for the current status.
Power cuts and BIOS changes
Power cuts and voltage dips are common in many parts of India. Saving BIOS settings is quick, but a cut at the wrong moment can interrupt it. Reset only with the charger connected and, if your supply is unsteady, use a small UPS for the charger.
When to get help
- You cannot find your BitLocker recovery key. Stop and do not reset until you have it.
- The Esc or F10 screen never appears, or the laptop shows a black screen after saving.
- Windows still will not start or update after loading defaults.
- The laptop restarts again and again, or shows a BIOS error message.
Our HP BIOS service page covers BIOS recovery and updates, and Hyderabad owners can use our HP service page for Secunderabad. Laptops from other cities can be sent by courier. See our HP laptop repair hub too. ₹149 doorstep visit fee, waived when you approve laptop repair with us. A laptop still under HP's warranty should go to HP's authorised service first.
A note from the LRW Engineer Team
Treat a BIOS reset as a small, planned task rather than a quick try. Ten minutes of preparation, with the recovery key and a charger, reduces the worry. If anything on screen looks unfamiliar, stop and message us a photo.