If the HP Spectre x360 14 will not turn on, charge it first with the HP adapter for at least half an hour, then try the power button. If there is no response, do a hard reset: disconnect the charger and any accessories, hold the power button for about fifteen seconds, reconnect the charger and press the button once. If the Spectre shows lights but no picture, connect a monitor to check whether the screen is the fault. Press Esc and F10 at startup to enter the BIOS and F2 for HP's hardware diagnostics. If Windows will not start but the HP logo appears, use the recovery menu to run Startup Repair.
Differential
Likely causes of “HP laptops will not turn on or start”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A drained battery or a faulty adapter
What separates it No lights and no response
How to confirm Charge with the HP adapter for half an hour
- 2
A stuck power state
What separates it Lights flicker or nothing happens after sleep or a dock
How to confirm Do a hard reset
- 3
A display fault
What separates it Fans spin but the screen stays black
How to confirm Connect an external monitor
- 4
A failed update or Windows problem
What separates it The HP logo shows then a recovery screen
How to confirm Use Startup Repair or System Restore
- 5
A hardware fault or damage
What separates it The hard reset and the hardware test fail
How to confirm Contact HP service
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- What lights and sounds appear
- Whether an external monitor shows a picture
- What happened before: an update, a spill or a drop
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedCharge with the HP adapter
ReversibleLeave it for half an hour.
Do a hard reset
ReversibleHold the power button for fifteen seconds with everything unplugged, then reconnect the charger.
Check for a picture
ReversibleConnect a monitor and try again.
Run HP diagnostics
ReversiblePress F2 at startup and run the tests.
Use recovery
ReversibleChoose Startup Repair or System Restore if Windows fails to load.
Try a different port and cable
ReversibleBecause the Spectre charges over USB-C, test another port and cable and look for a charging light before you decide the laptop is dead.
Remove accessories and dongles
ReversibleUnplug docks, drives and dongles that can interfere with startup, then try again with only the charger.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Keys
- Esc opens the startup menu, F10 the BIOS and F2 HP's diagnostics on most current HP laptops.
- Recovery
- HP's recovery tools can reinstall Windows if startup repair fails, so back up important files as soon as the laptop works again.
- Warranty
- If the Spectre is within its HP warranty, HP service can diagnose a no-power fault without charge.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit the Envy x360 14-fa, OMEN Transcend 14.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a hard reset and a known-good adapter do nothing, contact HP
- !If it was wet or dropped, contact HP service
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
HP's device-agnostic no-power and no-boot article, cited by title.
Power, charge and accessories for a blank screen.
Startup problems.
The HP Spectre premium line.
The HP Envy line.
The HP Pavilion line.
The HP EliteBook business line.
The HP OMEN gaming line.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I hard reset an HP Spectre?+
Unplug the charger and accessories, hold the power button for about fifteen seconds, reconnect the charger and press the button once.
What does F2 do on an HP laptop?+
It opens HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI, which tests components without Windows.
Why does my Spectre show the HP logo and restart?+
A Windows update or startup problem may be the cause. Use the recovery environment to run Startup Repair.
Can the screen be at fault if the fans run?+
Yes. If an external monitor shows a picture, the built-in display or its cable is the problem.
What should I do if my Spectre stays on the HP logo?+
Let it sit for several minutes in case a BIOS or Windows update is finishing. If it does not progress, hold the power button to turn it off, then boot to the recovery menu with F11 or by interrupting startup three times.
Does a dead CMOS battery stop a Spectre starting?+
Rarely. A dead CMOS battery usually resets the clock and BIOS settings; the Spectre's main battery and the charger matter more for starting.
How long should I charge a flat Spectre before trying again?+
About thirty minutes on the original adapter, since a deeply discharged battery can show no sign of life at first.
Why does my Spectre show a black screen with the keyboard backlight on?+
The laptop may be running while the display or Windows is not. Press Windows plus Ctrl plus Shift plus B to reset the graphics driver, connect an external monitor and try a hard reset.
What do the HP BIOS beeps or flashing lights mean?+
Patterns of beeps or caps-lock flashes can mean memory or BIOS problems. Count them and look them up in HP's support pages for your model, or run HP PC Hardware Diagnostics.
Will a hard reset delete my files?+
No. It drains stored power and restarts the hardware without touching your data.
How do I enter the BIOS on a Spectre x360?+
Turn it on and press F10 repeatedly, or press Esc to open the startup menu and choose BIOS Setup.
What if the Spectre will not charge and will not start?+
Try the original adapter and another outlet, check the USB-C port for damage, wait half an hour and then hard reset. If nothing works, contact HP.