When booting the computer, I receive several beeps

Updated: 06/30/2020 by Computer Hope
Computer keyboard

If your computer beeps several times when you boot the computer, the following tips and information may help you fix the problem.

Keyboard has a stuck key

A stuck key or a keyboard that failed can cause the computer to beep abnormally.

Turn off the computer and temporarily disconnect the computer keyboard and turn on the computer. If there's no beeping with the keyboard disconnected, a key is stuck or the keyboard is bad. Slapping the back of a keyboard to dislodge any dust, dirt, or hair may help ensure there are no stuck keys on the keyboard.

Computer has a password

Some computers have the capability of having a BIOS (basic input/output system) keyboard password. This password sometimes causes the computer to beep and the keyboard not to work. To determine if this is the case, look at the keyboard LEDs (Num Lock, Caps Lock, or Scroll Lock). If these are flashing continuously, the computer has a password.

System chassis alarm

A beeping or buzzing tone can also be caused by the system chassis alarm also known as the intruder alarm when the system case is removed. Verify that the beeping or buzzing noise does not also occur when the computer is off. If this is the case, remove and cover of the case and then put the case back on.

Computer does not pass POST

The more likely possibility of abnormal beeping is when the computer does not pass the POST (power-on self-test). When the computer fails this test, it sounds a beep code indicating what caused it to not pass the POST.