Stopping the Headless Operation Mode Active message appearing during POST

Summary: The following article explains what the Headless Operation Mode Active message during Power On Self-Test (POST) means. It goes through how to stop it from appearing during the computers start up. ...

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Symptoms

Is there an error message as the computer starts up?

 

Is it an error message or is it an information message?

Does it contain the following statement? 

***HEADLESS OPERATION MODE ACTIVE***

This message is not an error and only shows on-screen for two seconds during POST. It is instead an informational message to advise that Warnings and Error messaging during POST have not been configured in your devices BIOS. That they do not appear on your computer.

Cause

Follow the instructions below to configure this setting in order to stop this message appearing. If a different message is seen on boot, then search using the term from the message on-screen for another guide.

Resolution

Steps to stop the message from appearing

 

Stop the message from appearing by configuring your BIOS to provide warnings and errors and stop during POST. The two continue options result in the Headless Operation Mode Active message to be shown. There are three possible options, the steps go through what each option means. This helps to make the best choice for your situation.

Headless Operation Mode Active BIOS

  1. The easiest and quickest way into your BIOS is to rapidly tap the F2 key, when your computer reaches the Dell Splash Screen.

  2. Browse POST Behavior.

  3. Under Warnings and Errors, select one of the three following options:

    • Prompt on Warnings and Errors causes the computer to stop at the warning or error during POST.

    • Continue on Warnings let the computer continue to POST and Boot without addressing the warning.

    • Continue on Warnings and Errors let the computer continue to POST and Boot without addressing the warning or error.

Note: Any errors deemed critical to the operation of the computer hardware continue to cause the computer to stop.


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Affected Products

Dell Laptops, Dell Plus, Dell Pro, Dell Pro Max, Dell Pro Plus, Dell Pro Premium, Latitude, Dell Pro Rugged, XPS, Mobile Workstations, Dell Canvas 27
Article Properties
Article Number: 000139731
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 24 Jul 2025
Version:  13
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