BIOS is a common and mandatory thing found in every computer (Basic Input/Output System). It is a program that the computer’s CPU uses (on boot) to start the entire computer system. Without BIOS, a computer can’t access its operating system and can’t work correctly.
However, when the computer boots up, the BIOS runs a POST (Power On Self-Test) diagnostics to determine if all parts of the computer are working properly, if the internal hardware of the computer is compatible, and if the connections are correct.
When you start up your laptop, if everything is fine in POST (testing), the computer may give a single beep (maybe beep twice, depending on the computer’s model) and continue the boot process. However, if something gets wrong and the computer fails the POST (testing), the computer will start generating a beep code telling the user the source of the problem. The beep code can be different in every manufacturer’s computer.
In this tutorial, we will explain to you the different types of beep codes (or Irregular POST) with respect to the manufacturer of that BIOS. Before starting, it is worth mentioning that except for the Dell and Mac, your computer’s (or motherboard) manufacturer and BIOS manufacturer aren’t the same. To check the correct BIOS beep code, you must know who manufactured the computer’s BIOS.
Common Computer Beep Codes and Solutions
Following are the BIOS Beep Codes of some manufacturers.
AMI BIOS Beep Codes
| Beep Code | Description | Solution |
| 1 Short Beep | DRAM Refresh Failure | RAM is most probably damaged and Needs Replacement |
| 2 Short Beeps | Parity Error | Disable the Memory ECC in CMOS Setting. Also, It is not recommended as the ECC Check ensures the stability of the computer |
| 3 Short Beeps | Base 64K (First Bank) Memory Failure | RAM Module needs Replacement |
| 4 Short Beeps | System Timer Failure | Repair or replace the motherboard |
| 5 Short Beeps | Processor Error | CPU Needs Replacement, but there is also a possibility of CPU Socket Problem. Further, the motherboard can also be faulty. |
| 6 Short Beeps | Keyboard Controller Gate A20 Failure | Plug the Keyboard. If an error still occurs, then try a good keyboard; otherwise, there is a problem with the Keyboard Control Chip or related parts. |
| 7 Short Beeps | Virtual Mode Processor Exception Interrupt Error | Most probably, it is the motherboard’s fault so go for its repair or replacement. |
| 8 Short Beeps | Display Memory Read/Write Error | GPU’s Memory Chip is damaged. If it is pluggable, then finding and replacing the bad chip will remove the problem. Otherwise, the GPU needs to be repaired or replaced. |
| 9 Short Beeps | ROM Checksum Error | Try to change to a good BIOS of the same type. If the problem is with BIOS, then recovering it by rewriting or even hot swapping will also work. |
| 10 Short Beeps | CMOS Shutdown Register Read/Write Error | Replace CMOS battery, or repair motherboard |
| 11 Short Beeps | Cache Error/L2 Cache Bad | Go to repair shop Users can temporarily disable the cache for emergency use of the laptop. The method is to enter the BIOS settings, disable the Cache Memory option, and finally save and restart the computer |
| 1 Long and 3 Short Beeps | Conventional/Extended Memory Failure | The motherboard memory is faulty and needs to be repaired. |
| 1 Long and 8 Short Beeps | Display/Retrace Test Failed | Video Card is faulty. Reseating or Moving it to another slot can help. |
Award BIOS Beep Codes
| Beep Code | Description | Solution |
| 1 Short Beep | Normal System Boot | Doesn’t require any solution as everything is fine. |
| 2 Short Beeps | General Error | Enter CMOS Setup and reset all the incorrect options. |
| 1 Long and 1 Short Beep | RAM or Motherboard Error | Try another RAM module. Still not working? Then replace or repair the motherboard. |
| 1 Long and 2 Short Beeps | Wrong Display or Video Card | Try plugging the compatible Display or Video Card |
| 1 Long and 3 Short Beeps | Keyboard Controller Error | Check the Keyboard Control Chip on the motherboard |
| 1 Long and 9 Short Beeps | Motherboard’s Flash RAM or EPROM is Wrong and the BIOS is damaged. | Changing the RAM can help with this problem. |
| Continuous Beep (Long Beep) | RAM Module isn’t detected as it is not inserted tightly or is damaged. | Re-inserting the RAM can help, but if this trick doesn’t work, then replace the RAM module. |
| Constantly Beep | Power Supply, Monitor, or GPU isn’t properly connected. | Replug all of them properly. If still facing the same problem, then check all the plugs are functioning. |
| Repeated Short Beep | Power Supply Problem | Replace the Power Supply |
| No Sound and Display | Power Supply Problem | Replace the Power Supply |
IBM Beep Codes
| Beep Code | Description | Solution |
| 1 Short Beep | Normal Boot | During the Self-Test, Everything was fine |
| 2 Short Beeps | Error Detected During POST | Details would be displayed on the Screen, follow the error, and find its solution. |
| No Beep | Power Supply, System Board, or Processor’s Error | Most probably, it would be a power supply error, so try a new power supply. If the problem still persists, then try replacing the motherboard and processor. |
| Continuous Beep | Power Supply, System Board, or Keyboard Problem | Try changing these components will solve the problem. |
| Repeated Short Beeps | Power Supply or System Board Problem | Again, try replacing these components can help in solving the problem. |
| 1 Long and 1 Short Beep | System Board Problem | Motherboard has a problem; repairing it or replacing is the solution. |
| 1 Long and 2 Short Beeps | GPU Problem (Mono/CGA Video Error) | Replacing or Repairing the GPU. |
| 1 Long and 3 Short Beeps | GPU Problem (EGA Video Error) | Again, replacing or repairing the GPU. |
| 3 Long Beeps | Keyboard Problem | Try changing the Keyboard device, if still facing the same problem, then check the Keyboard Control Chip on Motherboard. |
HP Beep Codes
| Beep Codes | Description | Solution |
| 1 Short Beep | Legacy Floppy Drive or CD/DVD ROM Not Detected | Try resetting the BIOS. If it does not work, then reconnect or replace these components. |
| 2 Short Beeps | Floppy Diskette or CD not detected | Try resetting the BIOS. If not work, then it is possible that the problem is with the component or CD/Floppy Disk you trying to insert. |
| 3 Short Beeps | Unable to Start Flashing (usually when a utility or BIOS Image is missing) | Disconnect input devices (like mouse and keyboard) and then reboot the computer. If still facing the same issue, then repair or replace those input devices. |
| 4 Short Beeps | Flashing Failed (checksum error, corrupted image, etc.) | Clean the RAM and its slots. If the problem still resists then reseat the memory. |
| 5 Short Beeps | BIOS Recovery Successful | Reboot the System |
| 1 Short and 1 Long Beep | Memory Problem | Reseat the RAM modules on slots. If the problem isn’t solved, then go for a RAM replacement. |
| 2 Short and 1 Long Beep | Video Card Required (not installed) or Unable to Initialize Video | Try reconnecting the GPU if installed. Otherwise, the fault is in the motherboard so go for its repair or replacement. |
| 3 Short and 1 Long Beep | Incompatible CPU type or CPU configuration error | Make sure that the RAM capacity installed is compatible with the CPU. Replace or Repair the CPU (Processor) if the problem doesn’t solve. |
| 2 Short and 2 Long Beeps | BIOS Recovery Successful | Reboot the System |
Lenovo ThinkCentre Beep Codes
| Beep Code | Description | Solution |
| 3 Short and 1 Long Beep | RAM not detected | Check out the memory subsystem, and ensure the RAM is accurately seated in the slots. |
| 2 Long and 3 Short Beeps | Video Card or On-Board Video not detected | Make sure that all the external connected GPU are compatible or working properly. |
| 4 Long Beeps and Error 8998/8999 on Screen | Not enough shadow RAM resources or PCIe/PCI MMIO resources available | Remove the external (add-in) PCIe Cards to free up necessary resources or change the BIOS to UEFI mode to support these external resources. |
| 2 Short Beeps | POST Error | Check out the displayed POST error on the screen and take correct according to that specific POST |
Dell Beep Codes
| Beep Code | Description | Solution |
| 1 Beep | Motherboard: BIOS ROM Failure | Execute the Dell Diagnostics Program to find the solution. |
| 2 Beeps | No Memory (RAM) Detected | Try reseating the RAM sticks otherwise replace them. Still facing the issue, then check the RAM slots. |
| 3 Beeps | Chipset Error (North and South bridge error), Time-Of-Day Clock test failure, Gate A20 failure, Super I/O chip failure, Keyboard controller failure | Run the Dell Diagnostics Application to solve the issue. |
| 4 Beeps | Memory (RAM) Failure | Same solution as mentioned in 2 Beeps section. |
| 5 Beeps | CMOS Battery Failure | Try reseating the CMOS battery. If the issue is not gone, then run the Dell Diagnostics. |
| 6 Beeps | Video Card/Chip Failure | Run the Dell Diagnostics to find the solution of this problem. |
| 7 Beeps | Central Processing Unit (CPU) Failure | Same solution as in 6 Beeps Section |
| 8 Beeps | LCD Failure | Same solution as in 6 Beeps Section |
ThinkPad Beep Codes
| Beep Codes | Description | Solution |
| 1 Beep with Blank Display | LCD Issue (LCD Connector, LCD Backlight Inverter, Video Adapter, or LCD Assembly Failure) | Replace the whole display assembly or repair it (requires professional repairing experience) |
| Continuous Beeping | Motherboard Failure | Repair or Replacing it will solve the problem. |
| 1 Beep with Display Message (Unable to access boot source) | Boot Device Failure or Bad Motherboard | Try to repair or replace the motherboard. |
| 1 Long and 2 Short Beeps | System Board, Video Adapter, or LCD Assembly Failure | Try replacing or repairing these components will solve the problem |
| 1 Long and 4 Short Beeps | Low Battery Voltage | Reinsert or replace the CMOS battery otherwise, reset the BIOS settings |
| 1 Beep Continuously | Low Battery Voltage | Same solution as mentioned above. |
| 2 Short Beeps with Display Message | Follow the Display Message | Take an appropriate action according to the display message. |
| 2 Short Beeps with Blank Display | System Board Failure | Replace or Repair the Motherboard |
ASUS Beep Codes
| Beep Codes | Description | Solution |
| 1 Short Beep | VGA Detected, Quick Boot is Disabled or No Keyboard Detected | The computer will boot normally. However, must check for the components working (mentioned in the description) |
| 2 Short Beep | When using Crashfree to recover BIOS, the new BIOS is successfully recognized. | Reboot the CPU and everything will be normal. |
| 1 Long and 2 Short Beeps | No Memory Detected | Try reseating the RAM. If not work, then replace the RAM sticks. If still not working, then the slots have a problem. |
| 1 Long and 3 Short Beeps | No VGA Detected | Make sure that enough (required) power is being supplied to the GPU. If the problem resists, then reseat the GPU, CPU, and RAM, and also check out the GPU’s cables. |
| 1 Long and 4 Short Beeps | Hardware Component Failure | Possibly, the problem is with the CPU Fan, the Temperature gets high, or the CPU has Over Voltage Error. Make sure that both the CPU and its Fan are properly installed. Otherwise, try to reset the BIOS setting and clear CMOS settings. |
| No Beeps | Blank Display | Please check for the CPU and RAM and ensure that they are properly connected or not. Also, check for Oxidation on the connection parts. If it is there, then try to wipe it with an eraser. If the problem still resists, then take it to the technician for proper cleaning. |
If you are having trouble repairing your computer, please leave a message in the comments, and we will try our best to help you solve the problem.
Also Read: How To Fix A Laptop Won’t Turn On
Also Read: How to Replace a CMOS Battery on Desktop and Laptop