"Alert! TPM not detected" warning on boot

I have a Dell Optiplex 7050 that I installed Windows 11 on. PC HealthCheck said I wouldn't be able to install it because of my CPU and not having TPM. I installed it anyway with the Rufus workaround where the "Remove requirement for...TPM 2.0" line was checked. It installed and seemed to work fine.

One day, I cleaned the dust out of the case and upon putting the cover back on and restarting, I got the warning/alert, "TPM not detected", and the choice to hit F1, F2, or F5. I get that all the time now. F1 boots it up and everything works properly but on start and restart I always get that black screen first. F2 will get me to BIOS.

I've done lots of reading on this. It would seem that yes, I don't have TPM capability. I don't see it in the BIOS Security or Advanced settings. The BIOS is the latest version (1.27). When I check using "tpm.msc" in the Run dialog it says, "Compatible TPM cannot be found". I've also checked in the Security processor details section of Windows Security in settings. It shows that there is no TPM version.

I have unplugged the machine to do a hard reset, removed and reinstalled the CMOS battery, and reset the jumper. No change. Now, I just want to get rid of the warning message and delayed boot. I reinstalled Windows 11 (clean install) but still get the error. I have the chassis intrusion warning disabled in the BIOS. That was the only thing I could think of that would have caused the warning message in the first place.

Is there a way to fix this?

Thanks!

First, is it possible that you only started getting this error after cleaning out the computer because you do have a TPM but knocked it loose?

Check your system user guide for the location where a TPM module would be plugged in and see if one is present, maybe just partially dislodged.

If you really do not have a TPM module at all, check the BIOS to make sure that it is disabled there.

according to the spec of your PC it has TPM2 and is Windows 11 compliant.

best of luck, Steve ..

Thank you both! I'll open it up first thing tomorrow.

So today I opened up the unit. I removed the fan and the drives to get a better view of things. I didn't see anything labeled TPM or anything that looked like some examples of TPMs and their plug-in housings on the motherboard. Yes, I also saw that the documentation seems to say that TPM is enabled in that model. I've attached the manual's pic of the motherboard. Any idea where I should look? I wonder if this is one of the ones where it's built into the CPU? Also, I see people talk about downgrading the BIOS as a solution?

download the iso for the same build of windows 11 that you have installed.


save this .cmd and run it as admin. once it says installed, run a repair install via the iso you downloaded. it will perform an in-place upgrade and you won't lose anything. that *should* fix the tpm issue as it'll bypass the tpm requirement and 'install' windows again. worth a shot with no downside...

Acccording to spec sheet it can have a TPM 1.2 or TPM 2.0

according to the Dell OptiPlex 7050 manual.

you have TPM it would be worth while checking the BIOS settings to see if TPM is enabled.
best of luck, Steve ..

I doubt this system has a dedicated TPM chip and uses the CPU/motherboard combo for TPM. I suspect it got turned off somehow. You said you looked for the setting in the bios but didn't see it. I fired up the latest Dell system I have to compare. Mine is a AIO with a 9th gen processor. The TPM settings are under -Security | -TPM 20 Security. From there is the option for TPM ON and Enabled(2 separate settings).

Right. That was the first thing I did. Nothing TPM related in the Bios whether under Security or Advanced menus.

Dell Firmware Update to TPM Version 2.0 or Downgrade to TPM Version 1.2 (OptiPlex 7050)​

it is not obvious so

Phil's your man

I checked 2 older identical Opti 3040s I have. Both of them show the same TPM 2.0 Security in the same place as mentioned above. So it's possible you damaged something with your cleaning or you might have a corrupt Bios. You might try reflashing the latest bios. Basically flashing over top of the same one in case something corrupted the current bios.

@SIW2 is correct. The 7050 came with TPM 1.2 and was flashable to 2.0. It’s not part of the BIOS/UEFI update; it’s a separate download.

If the TPM isn’t showing on an OptiPlex, you can usually get it to re-appear by shutting down the device, unplugging the power cord, and holding in the power button for 60 seconds. Plug it back in and fire it up.

I had this issue today an hour ago on my XPS 15 9570 with a new motherboard with the i9-8950HK from early June 2025 when my original i7-8750H motherboard died on May 28, 2025 due to the capacitor burning down and also burn whatever was right under the F5 key.

Before this, I held down power button for 25 seconds to reset the RTC CMOS which did not fix the problem.

The way I fixed it didn't involve opening up the computer.

I saw in the XPS 15 9560 thread here:

Where it says:
1) Unplug AC Adapter cable, wait 1 minute
2) Hold down Ctrl+ESC while plugging the AC Adapter back in and system should turn on itself
3) It will show a BIOS Recovery Menu
4) Select reset bios back to default

In my case, I didn't do step 4 because I tried to memorize the post and instead select Cancel and it fixed it. #4 might be the correct choice.

This brought back the missing TPM setting under Security in the BIOS.