Windows 11 boots but I can't access BIOS or safe mode

[Doop!]

Hi All,

Weird issue here. I've only recently noticed this so I'm not sure how long it's been going on, basically I can no longer access my BIOS but the PC boots into Windows fine.

What happens is from powering on I get a black screen (no POST) until it reaches Windows 11 login, then Windows boots up fine. Hammering the delete key when booting just gives a black screen (and it also does this if I try to boot into safe mode by holding shift when clocking the restart button). I'm guess the PC is in the BIOS screen or safe mode but just not outputting a display. I have tried the display port and HDMI output on my GTX1070 and the HDMI on my motherboard to both my monitor (LG 27GP850) and my TV (a 2020 LG Nanocell something or other) with no luck. I'm using the latest Windows 11 22H2 but as I say I'm not sure when this issue started to know if that caused it.

I don't want to clear my CMOS in case that stops me getting into Windows as it is working now, I just can't change anything in the BIOS.

Any one got any ideas? I've been googling all sorts of combinations of bios, black screen, windows, etc. and I can't find the exact issue.

My PC is:
CPU: Intel i9 9900 (non-k)
Motherboard: ASRock Z370 Extreme 4 Bios 4.25
RAM: 16GB DDR4 3000 Team Group something or other
GPU: EVGA GTX1070
OS: Windows 11 22H2 with all available updates

 

[freddie64]

Have you tried

Settings>System>Recovery>Advanced Startup>restart Now

Once you restart, click Troubleshoot>Advanced options>UEFI Firmware Settings>Restart to reboot into BIOS.

Only other way i can think of, but am sure some more knowledgable people will advise better soon.

 

[Doop!]

Have you tried

Settings>System>Recovery>Advanced Startup>restart Now

Once you restart, click Troubleshoot>Advanced options>UEFI Firmware Settings>Restart to reboot into BIOS.

Only other way i can think of, but am sure some more knowledgable people will advise better soon.

Thanks, tried it and it just gives me a black screen (monitor says no signal before eventually going to sleep). I feel like there is probably something going on though because they keyboard is lit up, just seems to not be sending anything to the display. Stumped.

 

[maj]

Does your monitor support different versions of HDMI and Display Port? With my monitor I sometimes have to change DP from 1.4 to 1.1 for bios to display

 

[Quartz]

Weird issue here. I've only recently noticed this so I'm not sure how long it's been going on, basically I can no longer access my BIOS but the PC boots into Windows fine.

Is your keyboard connected to the PC by a hub?

What happens is from powering on I get a black screen (no POST) until it reaches Windows 11 login, then Windows boots up fine.

Sounds like your PC is displaying the BIOS on a different screen. Try plugging a monitor into the motherboard.

 

[Doop!]

Does your monitor support different versions of HDMI and Display Port? With my monitor I sometimes have to change DP from 1.4 to 1.1 for bios to display

Good suggestion. I've had a look through the menu and can't see anything like that. I seem to remember that being an option on a previous monitor

Is your keyboard connected to the PC by a hub?



Sounds like your PC is displaying the BIOS on a different screen. Try plugging a monitor into the motherboard.

Keyboard directly into motherboard.

I thought that might be the case with the display being output to a different screen and I've tried all the outputs on the GPU and motherboard and nothing. GPU and motherboard together at the same time. It has definitely output on the display port in the past. I just wish I noticed exactly when it started, it would make it easier to troubleshoot.

Earlier I tried rolling back to the previous Windows 11 update with same results.

Honestly it's the weirdest thing.

edit: oh @maj you cracked it! I had to turn off adaptive sync, then turn off my monitor overclock, THEN the option to change DP version appeared. Chose 1.2 and I can now access my BIOS. Thank you! I though I was going insane

 

[hyperseven]

If you still have the ASRock have you tried the 'restart to UEFI' utility?

 

[maj]

No worries @Doop! Glad you got sorted