My ASUS TUF Gaming F16 (FX608L) running Windows 11 is stuck on the "ASUS — In Search of Incredible" startup screen. It never reaches Windows, and I can't get into the BIOS either. Removing the SSD made no difference, and I also disconnected the battery and tried powering it from the charger alone. The battery indicator flashes roughly twice per second whether the charger is connected or not. What troubleshooting steps should I try next?
3 Answers
Because removing the SSD did not change the behavior and you cannot even reach BIOS, this is probably happening before Windows loads. A failed or corrupted BIOS update is one possibility, and some ASUS models support BIOS recovery from a USB drive using the correct firmware file and recovery procedure. Use the exact FX608L firmware from ASUS, follow the model-specific instructions carefully, and avoid interrupting power during recovery. If recovery is not supported or does not work, the laptop may need board-level service.
Try a complete embedded-controller reset first. Disconnect the charger and every USB or other accessory, then hold the power button down continuously for about 40 seconds. Release it, connect the charger, wait a few seconds, and try starting it again. On some ASUS laptops, a steady orange charging light afterward is a useful sign that the reset completed.
Pay close attention to the blinking indicator and count the pattern accurately. ASUS laptops can use LED blink codes to indicate hardware or firmware problems. If it keeps blinking at about two times per second after the power reset, look up that exact pattern in the FX608L service documentation or contact ASUS support, since it may point to a motherboard, firmware, or power-management fault.
The light continues flashing at roughly two times per second, and the pattern doesn’t change when I switch between battery and charger power.