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July 12th, 2025 09:22
Unable to Access BIOS on Dell G15 5520
Hello,
I’m currently experiencing a serious issue with my Dell G15 5520 laptop. I’m unable to access the BIOS setup or the one-time boot menu. Furthermore when I try to update the bios it also freezes on the dell logo. I can access the F2 BIOS settings but when I attempt to enter the BIOS (by pressing F12 during boot), the system shows “opening one time boot/f12 menu”, then that disappears and it hangs on the Dell logo and never proceeds. I’ve tried the following troubleshooting steps without success:
- Pressed F12 repeatedly at boot (and also tried UEFI firmware setting in advanced options)
- Performed a CMOS reset (battery removed and power drained)
- Updated BIOS to the latest version (1.32), but the issue persists
- Attempted BIOS recovery via USB key, but system still freezes on the Dell logo, along with a factory reset.
The system boots into Windows normally, but I need BIOS access to troubleshoot GPU issues (Code 43 on the NVIDIA 3070 Ti) and to check settings related to Secure Boot, PEG, and VBIOS.
Please advise how I can regain access to the BIOS setup.
Thank you for your help.
ejn63
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July 12th, 2025 10:48
Is there an administrator password set on the system?
Jrodrigues1
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July 12th, 2025 16:21
@ejn63
No, but I have tried typing one in anyway before, although there was no input to do so.
Unless the password might be different than the one I use to access windows, or is set by bit locker or default or something?
Jrodrigues1
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July 12th, 2025 17:21
@ejn63
I think I figured out the problem.
My bios is trying to use my dGPU to display the bios menu…but my dGPU is broken. As such it keeps freezing and not being able to launch it.
how can I fix that?
ejn63
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July 12th, 2025 17:41
Reset the system by disconnecting the adapter, removing the base cover and disconnecting the battery from the mainboard. Hold the power button for 30 sec.
Reassemble and the system should be reset to default (hybrid operation).
Jrodrigues1
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July 12th, 2025 18:38
@ejn63
just tried this, it didn’t change anything. Is there another way to check if the reset worked?
ejn63
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July 12th, 2025 18:42
If you have an external monitor, see if you can get an image on that. Also see if a screen diagnostic (hold the D key through powerup) works.
Jrodrigues1
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July 13th, 2025 18:36
@ejn63
Unfortunately no external monitor.
as for the screen diagnostic the following happened:
it would Show the dell logo, a blur loading bar that gets stuck at about 90%, and flash f12boot options in the top right corner for a second. Then a white loading circle would appear under the dell logo but above the blue loading bar, and after a time it would go black and then boot into windows.
how long it takes to move on from the loading screen and then boot into windows, I’ve discovered, is exactly what I said the post time to in the bios settings (0,5,10 seconds).
ejn63
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July 13th, 2025 18:46
What happens if you remove the boot drive -- will the system then POST to a setup screen?
Jrodrigues1
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July 13th, 2025 20:45
@ejn63
I am not sure how to do that, do you mean like in boot order, if I delete the one connected to my SSD so that it doesn’t start?
ejn63
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July 13th, 2025 21:16
Physically remove the drive from the system.
Service manual is here
https://www.dell.com/support/product-details/en-us/product/g-series-15-5520-laptop/resources/manuals