Your HP computer says “No hard drive installed,” and Windows won't start. The next move depends on where storage disappears: HP diagnostics, the startup process, or Windows Setup. Start with a power reset, then use the checks below to find the right repair.
Start with a power reset
A power reset clears temporary startup state without deleting your personal files.
Turn off your HP computer.
Unplug AC power.
Remove discs and memory cards.
Disconnect nonessential peripherals, including external drives and USB sticks.
Hold the power button for approximately 15 seconds.
Reconnect AC power.
Turn on the computer.
Check whether it starts normally. This reset applies to HP notebooks and desktops, regardless of the Windows version.
Find out whether HP diagnostics detects the drive
Start the computer while repeatedly pressing Esc, then press F2 to open HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI. It runs before Windows starts; available tests depend on your hardware and diagnostics version.
In the graphical interface, select Symptom Tests > Hard disk/SSD drive issue and choose the affected drive. Run Quick Test. If it passes but the problem persists, run Extensive Test.
For versions with component menus, select Component Tests > Storage > Quick Test > Run once, then choose the drive. Follow with Extensive Test if the problem persists after a pass. Read the results in Test Logs.
If internal diagnostics are unavailable or outdated, download HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI on a working Windows PC from HP's diagnostic download page. Run the installer, accept the license, and choose USB Flash Drive to finish installation. Connect that USB to the affected PC and enter diagnostics with Esc, then F2; if access requires disabling Secure Boot, follow your model's firmware instructions.
Restore the BIOS defaults
This resets firmware settings that affect startup.
Turn off the computer.
Wait five seconds.
Turn it on while repeatedly pressing F10 to open the BIOS.
Press F9 to load the defaults.
Press F10 for Save and Exit.
Select Yes at Exit Saving Changes?.
Press Enter.
Check whether startup succeeds. HP includes this reset in its 3F0 troubleshooting procedure; firmware menus vary by model.
Check the boot order when the drive is detected
Selecting the wrong startup device prevents Windows from loading even when the internal drive is detected.
Restart the computer while pressing F10 during the blank screen.
Open Storage > Boot Options on notebooks or System Configuration > Boot Options on desktops covered by HP's documented paths. Other firmware uses Advanced; follow your exact model's guide when the menus differ.
Use the displayed controls to prioritize OS Boot Manager or the drive containing Windows.
Save the change using the displayed controls.
Try starting the computer again. Boot order changes require a detected drive. They cannot restore a disconnected or failed drive.
Arrange hardware checks for a missing or failed drive
If diagnostics still reports no drive after the power and BIOS resets, have the drive and its connections checked. Tests identify faults; they do not repair failed hardware. For a failed test, record the 24-digit failure ID and product ID before arranging service.
Reseat the drive with power disconnected, following your exact model's service instructions. HP's ZBook Power G10 procedure includes disconnecting the battery cable before removing its M.2 SSD and restoring the thermal pads during reassembly. Mounting arrangements differ by model; do not assume an M.2 system has a separate storage cable.
On a computer with multiple internal drives, follow its service guide to disconnect secondary storage temporarily while retaining the operating-system drive. Retest detection and startup afterward. Have a technician handle the work if you are not comfortable opening the computer.
A technician can test the suspect drive in a working computer and a known-good drive in your HP; failure to detect the known-good drive points toward the system board in HP's service procedure. Use the diagnostic result's support option or scan its QR code with your phone to contact HP. A failed drive needs a compatible replacement, followed by an operating-system restoration or installation.
Repair Windows once storage is accessible
Damaged boot files or boot configuration prevent Windows from starting even when the drive is accessible and passes its storage tests.
On Windows 11, enter recovery with HP's F11 startup shortcut on models that support it.
If that shortcut is unavailable, boot from Windows installation media.
Select Repair my PC on the installation screen.
In recovery, select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair > Restart.
Enter your BitLocker recovery key if requested.
Let the repair finish.
If startup stopped after a software change and you have a usable restore point, select Troubleshoot > Advanced Options > System Restore.
Choose an applicable restore point.
Complete the restore wizard.
If those repairs fail and storage remains accessible, review the consequences of a Windows reset. Keep my files still removes apps and settings; Remove everything also removes your personal files.
On a PC with HP Sure Recover enabled, first follow HP's prerequisite for Windows Reset: enter the BIOS with F10 during startup.
Open Advanced > Sure Recover.
Clear HP Sure Recover. Involve IT if these settings are managed.
Select Main > Save Changes and Exit.
Return to recovery with F11 where available, or through installation media and Repair my PC.
Select Troubleshoot > Reset this PC.
Choose Keep my files or Remove everything.
Select Cloud download or Local reinstall. Cloud download helps when local installation files are damaged. Neither option repairs disconnected or failed storage.
Load the storage driver when Windows Setup shows no drives
Use this method when Windows Setup lacks the driver needed to see the internal drive. HP documents it for Intel 11th-generation Tiger Lake configurations installing Windows 11; other generations require their model-specific package and instructions.
On a working computer, open HP Software and Driver Downloads.
Identify the affected HP by its serial number, product number, or product name.
Select the matching operating system.
Open Driver-Storage on the model's driver page.
Download Intel RST driver (RAID).
Extract its files to the Windows installation USB.
At the drive-selection stage in Windows Setup, select Load driver > Browse.
Locate the extracted F6 folder.
Select the compatible driver.
Continue installation once the internal drive appears. If the SSD remains undetected in HP's preboot diagnostics, return to the hardware checks above. An installer driver cannot repair a physically absent or failed SSD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I enable Legacy Support to fix this error?
No. HP states that models released after 2020 no longer support Legacy mode, even with Secure Boot disabled. On older models, boot-mode changes require the exact model's BIOS guide and the original operating-system boot mode.
How do I test storage if Windows still starts sometimes?
Search Windows for HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows. Right-click it and select Run as administrator. Select the available storage test and follow its prompts. Available tests differ from the UEFI edition.
Does HP Cloud Recovery work on every HP computer?
No. The consumer HP Cloud Recovery Tool supports eligible models and requires a working 64-bit Windows preparation PC plus a blank USB drive of at least 64 GB. Recovery erases data and requires functional target storage. Supported business PCs use the separate HP Cloud Recovery Client.