Laptop sometimes doesn’t detect SSD after shutdown, works again only after a few hours

Troubleshooting Intermittent SSD Detection Issues on Your HP Victus 15 Laptop

Experiencing inconsistent detection of an SSD can be a frustrating problem, especially when it appears unpredictably. In this guide, we’ll explore potential causes and solutions for a scenario where your HP Victus 15 laptop occasionally fails to recognize the SSD after shutdown, but detects it again after a few hours.

Understanding the Issue

In this case, the user reports that their laptop sometimes does not detect the SSD (a SK hynix BC901 HFS512GEJ9X108N) after a shutdown. The problem occurs intermittently and only resolves after leaving the laptop powered off for 1-2 hours. Notably, this issue has not been present previously, indicating a possible recent change or developing hardware/software fault.

Key Specifications:

Laptop Model: HP Victus 15-fa1034nn
Processor: Intel Core i5-12450H
RAM: 16GB
Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 4050 6GB
SSD: SK hynix BC901 HFS512GEJ9X108N

Potential Causes and Diagnostic Steps

Hardware Connection Issues
Loose or faulty SSD connection: Over time, SATA or NVMe connectors can loosen or become faulty, leading to detection problems.
Solution: Power off your device, carefully open the laptop following manufacturer instructions, and check the SSD connection. Ensure it’s seated properly and securely.
Firmware and BIOS Settings
Outdated BIOS: BIOS compatibility issues can cause detection problems.
Solution: Update your BIOS to the latest version available from HP’s official website.
Incorrect BIOS settings: Verify that the storage configuration (e.g., NVMe, AHCI mode) is set correctly in BIOS.
Power Management and Firmware Issues
Power management settings: Certain power modes may interfere with SSD detection.
Solution: Adjust Windows power settings—disabling fast startup and adjusting suspend/hibernate options.
In some cases, disabling “Link Power Management” in the SSD firmware or managing PCIe power settings in BIOS can help.
SSD Firmware Update and Health
Firmware issues: Outdated firmware can cause stability issues.
Solution: Check for firmware updates for your SK hynix SSD from the manufacturer’s website.
Health Check: Use tools like CrystalDiskInfo or