BIOS Beep Codes for Troubleshooting

In this article, we collected the most widespread BIOS signals (beepcodes) used for troubleshooting in case of any PC issues. Yet if your computer gives a sound signal which is not listed below, consult the motherboard / PC user manual to identify what kind of hardware error it is.

The POST (power-on self-test) feature checks the computer’s internal hardware to ensure compatibility and connection before the actual boot occurs. If the computer boots properly, it may give one sound signal (some computers are supposed to give it twice) as it starts and continues to boot. However, if the computer breaks down, it will either give no signal at all or give a special signal indicating a certain problem.

AMI BIOS signals

AMI BIOS signals (or beep codes) are given below. However, beep codes may differ due to a big variety of manufacturers who produce computers with this type of BIOS.

Sound signal (beep code) — Description

1 Beep – Refresh Failure

Reseat/replace memory, troubleshoot motherboard.

2 Beeps – Parity Error

Reseat/replace memory, troubleshoot motherboard.

3 Beeps – Memory Error (first 64KB)

Reseat/replace memory.

4 Beeps – Timer Failure

Troubleshoot motherboard.

5 Beeps – Processor Failure

Troubleshoot CPU, motherboard.

6 Beeps – Keyboard Controller Failure

Troubleshoot keyboard, motherboard.

7 Beeps – Virtual Mode Exception Error

Troubleshoot CPU, motherboard.

8 Beeps – Display Memory Failure

Trouleshoot graphics card, motherboard.

9 Beeps – ROM BIOS Checksum Failure

Replace ROM BIOS, troubleshoot motherboard.

10 Beeps – CMOS Shutdown Register Failure

Troubleshoot motherboard.

11 Beeps – L2 Cache Failure

Troubleshoot L2 cache, motherboard.

Continuous Beeps – Memory or Video Failure

Troubleshoot memory, graphics card, motherboard.

AWARD BIOS signals

Below, we listed AWARD BIOS signals (beep codes). As well as in the previous case, beep codes may differ due to a big variety of manufacturers who produce computers with this type of BIOS.

Sound signal (beep code) Description

1 long beep, 2 short beeps — Indicates a video error has occurred and the BIOS cannot initialize the video screen to display any additional information. (Graphics card not found, or VRAM error)
1 long beep, 3 short beeps — Video card not detected (reseat video card) or bad video card (Depending on the BIOS version, this beep code may indicate either a graphics card error or a keyboard error)
Endlessly repeated signal — RAM problem.
Repeated frequent beeps while the computer is working — Overheating processor (CPU)
Repeated beeps, frequent and seldom — Issue with the processor (CPU), possibly damaged

If there are any other hardware problems, BIOS will show you a corresponding message.

Dell signals

Sound signal (beep code) — Description

1 beep — BIOS ROM corruption or failure
2 beep — Memory (RAM) not detected
3 beep — Motherboard failure
4 beep — Memory (RAM) failure
5 beep — CMOS Battery failure
6 beep — Video card failure
7 beep — Bad processor (CPU)

IBM BIOS signals

Now, here are some IBM BIOS signals.

Sound signal (beep code) — Description

None — No Power, Loose Card, or Short (Power supply unit, motherboard or internal speaker is out of order)
1 short beep — Normal POST, computer is ok. (No errors detected)
2 short beeps — POST error, review screen for error code.
Continuous beeps — No Power, Loose Card, or Short. (No power supply)
Repeated short beep — No Power, Loose Card, or Short. (No power supply)
1 long beep, 1 short beep — Motherboard issue.
1 long beep, 2 short beeps — Video (Mono/CGA Display Circuitry) issue.
1 long beep, 3 short beeps — Video (EGA) Display Circuitry.
3 long beeps — Keyboard or Keyboard card error.
1 beep and black screen — Video Display Circuitry. (The monitor doesn’t work)

Phoenix BIOS signals

Below, we listed Phoenix BIOS Q3.07 OR 4.X signals (beep codes).

Sound signal (beep code) Description

1-1-1-1 Unconfirmed beep code. Reseat RAM chips or replace RAM chips as possible solution
1-1-1-3 Verify Real Mode.
1-1-2-1 Get CPU Type.
1-1-2-3 Initialize system hardware.
1-1-3-1 Initialize chipset registers with initial POST values.
1-1-3-2 Set in POST flag.
1-1-3-3 Initialize CPU registers.
1-1-4-1 Initialize cache to initial POST values.
1-1-4-3 Initialize I/O.
1-2-1-1 Initialize Power Management.
1-2-1-2 Load alternate registers with initial POST values.
1-2-1-3 Jump to UserPatch0.
1-2-2-1 Initialize keyboard controller.
1-2-2-3 BIOS ROM checksum.
1-2-3-1 8254 timer initialization.
1-2-3-3 8237 DMA controller initialization.
1-2-4-1 Reset Programmable Interrupt Controller.
1-3-1-1 Test DRAM refresh.
1-3-1-3 Test 8742 Keyboard Controller.
1-3-2-1 Set ES segment to register to 4 GB.
1-3-3-1 28 Autosize DRAM.
1-3-3-3 Clear 512 K base RAM.
1-3-4-1 Test 512 base address lines.
1-3-4-3 Test 512 K base memory
1-4-1-3 Test CPU bus-clock frequency.
1-4-2-4 Reinitialize the chipset.
1-4-3-1 Shadow system BIOS ROM.
1-4-3-2 Reinitialize the cache.
1-4-3-3 Autosize cache.
1-4-4-1 Configure advanced chipset registers.
1-4-4-2 Load alternate registers with CMOS values.
2-1-1-1 Set Initial CPU speed.
2-1-1-3 Initialize interrupt vectors.
2-1-2-1 Initialize BIOS interrupts.
2-1-2-3 Check ROM Copyright notice.
2-1-2-4 Initialize manager for PCI Options ROMs.
2-1-3-1 Check video configuration against CMOS.
2-1-3-2 Initialize PCI bus and devices.
2-1-3-3 Initialize all video adapters in system.
2-1-4-1 Shadow video BIOS ROM.
2-1-4-3 Display Copyright notice.
2-2-1-1 Display CPU Type and speed.
2-2-1-3 Test keyboard.
2-2-2-1 Set key click if enabled.
2-2-2-3 56 Enable keyboard.
2-2-3-1 Test for unexpected interrupts.
2-2-3-3 Display prompt Press F2 to enter SETUP.
2-2-4-1 Test RAM between 512 and 640 k.
2-3-1-1 Test expanded memory.
2-3-1-3 Test extended memory address lines. (Test extended memory address lines).
2-3-2-1 Jump to UserPatch1. (Jump to UserPatch1).
2-3-2-3 Configure advanced cache registers.
2-3-3-1 Enable external and CPU caches.
2-3-3-3 Display external cache size
2-3-4-1 Display shadow message.
2-3-4-3 Display non-disposable segments.
2-4-1-1 Display error messages.
2-4-1-3 Check for configuration errors.
2-4-2-1 Test real-time clock.
2-4-2-3 Check for keyboard errors
2-4-4-1 Set up hardware interrupts vectors.
2-4-4-3 Test coprocessor if present.
3-1-1-1 Disable onboard I/O ports.
3-1-1-3 Detect and install external RS232 ports.
3-1-2-1 Detect and install external parallel ports.
3-1-2-3 Re-initialize onboard I/O ports.
3-1-3-1 Initialize BIOS Data Area.
3-1-3-3 Initialize Extended BIOS Data Area.
3-1-4-1 Initialize floppy controller.
3-2-1-1 Initialize hard disk controller.
3-2-1-2 Initialize local bus hard disk controller.
3-2-1-3 Jump to UserPatch2
3-2-2-1 Disable A20 address line.
3-2-2-3 Clear huge ES segment register.
3-2-3-1 Search for option ROMs.
3-2-3-3 Shadow option ROMs.
3-2-4-1 Set up Power Management.
3-2-4-3 Enable hardware interrupts.
3-3-1-1 Set time of day.
3-3-1-3 Check key lock.
3-3-3-1 Erase F2 prompt.
3-3-3-3 Scan for F2 key stroke.
3-3-4-1 Enter SETUP.
3-3-4-3 Clear in POST flag.
3-4-1-1 Erase F2 prompt.
3-4-1-3 POST done, prepare to boot operating system.
3-4-2-3 Check password (optional).
3-4-3-1 Clear global descriptor table.
3-4-4-1 Clear parity checkers.
3-4-4-3 Clear screen (optional).
3-4-4-4 Check virus and backup reminders.
4-1-1-1 Try to boot with INT 19.
4-2-1-1 Interrupt handler error.
4-2-1-3 Unknown interrupt error.
4-2-2-1 Pending interrupt error.
4-2-2-3 Initialize option ROM error.
4-2-3-1 Shutdown error.
4-2-3-3 Extended Block Move.
4-2-4-1 Shutdown 10 error.
4-3-1-3 Initialize the chipset.
4-3-1-4 Initialize refresh counter.
4-3-2-1 Check for Forced Flash.
4-3-2-2 Check HW status of ROM.
4-3-2-3 BIOS ROM is OK.
4-3-2-4 Do a complete RAM test.
4-3-3-1 Do OEM initialization.
4-3-3-2 Initialize interrupt controller.
4-3-3-3 Read in bootstrap code.
4-3-3-4 Initialize all vectors.
4-3-4-1 Boot the Flash program.
4-3-4-2 Initialize the boot device.
4-3-4-3 Boot code was read OK.

Resetting BIOS to default settings

The easiest way to reset BIOS is from its menu. To access this menu, restart the computer and press the dedicated key that appears on the screen when the computer is booting; in most cases, it’s either Delete or F2.

When in BIOS, look for a setting with the name like Reset to default, Load factory defaults, Clear BIOS settings, Load setup defaults. Use arrow keys to select it, and press the Enter key to confirm this action. Now BIOS will use default settings.

One more way to reset BIOs is to take out the battery located on the computer’s motherboard.

First of all, make sure the computer is powered off. Find a round flat battery on the motherboard and remove it carefully. Place it back after five minutes. This simple action will reset BIOS settings to default.

Installing new hardware

Sometimes, BIOS has to be updated so that it can support a piece of new hardware, for example, a more powerful CPU.

BIOS Beep Codes for Troubleshooting