The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) hardware failed to execute a TPM command

Question

After I use the Powershell command clear-TPM and Initialize-TMP trying to fix a problem, I started seeing the above mentioned message appears in the event viewer. Those messages appear at random with varying interval in between ie group of 3 or 4 messages appear with an interval of a few minutes or 2 to 3 hours. In total it could be 70 to 120 a day !! Anyone knows what trigger the problem and how to fix it ? how to check if the TPM firmware is ok ?

Answer 1

Hi Joyce Ng,

Welcome to Microsoft Q&A!

I understand how concerning it is to suddenly see dozens of TPM errors per day after trying to fix an issue. Seeing Event Viewer flooded like that makes it feel like something is seriously broken.

After running Clear-TPM / Initialize-TPM, Windows often continuously sends background security commands to the TPM. If the firmware or BIOS communication is unstable, Windows logs Events repeatedly.

This does not automatically mean the TPM is dead, but it does point to some problems. Here’s what to check and make sure everything is ok:

1 - Basic TPM health

• Do NOT clear the TPM again
• Press Win + R > type tpm.msc > press Enter
• Look at the status at the top
  • TPM is ready for use > firmware responds
  • Console fails to load or errors > firmware/BIOS issue

2 - Update BIOS / TPM firmware

• Open Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates
• Also open Advanced options > Optional updates (if any)
• Or / and manually download the official package:
  • Identify your PC or motherboard model > Visit its support site.
  • Install the latest BIOS/UEFI update > Reboot your PC.

3 - Reset BIOS to defaults

• Enter BIOS/UEFI > Load Optimized Defaults
• Ensure TPM / PTT / fTPM is enabled
• If needed, look for a specific reset option.

If errors continue after BIOS update or reset, the issue might be at hardware / firmware-level. In that case, you’ll need to contact the device or motherboard manufacturer for confirmation or replacement.

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Answer 2

The error message you are seeing, "The Trusted Platform Module (TPM) hardware failed to execute a TPM command," typically indicates that there is an issue with the TPM device itself. This can prevent Windows from properly communicating with the TPM, affecting functionalities that rely on it, such as BitLocker and Modern Authentication.

To troubleshoot this issue, consider the following steps:

1. Check for Updates: Ensure that you have the latest Servicing Stack Update (SSU) and the monthly Cumulative Update (CU) for Windows installed. Additionally, check for any available updates for your BIOS Firmware or TPM Device Firmware from your manufacturer's support website.
2. Event Log Review: Review the Event Viewer logs for specific Event IDs (like 14 and 17) related to TPM errors. These logs can provide more context about the failures and help in diagnosing the issue.
3. TPM Firmware Check: To check if the TPM firmware is functioning correctly, you can look for any firmware updates from your device manufacturer. If the TPM is not functioning as expected, it might require a reset or clearing, but be aware that this can lead to data loss.
4. Contact Manufacturer: If the issue persists after following the above steps, it may be necessary to contact your hardware vendor or device manufacturer for further diagnosis of the TPM device.
5. Clear and Reinitialize TPM: If you haven't done so already, you might need to clear and reinitialize the TPM. This can be done through the TPM management console or using PowerShell commands, but ensure you back up any important data first as this process can lead to data loss.

By following these steps, you should be able to identify the cause of the TPM command failures and take appropriate action to resolve them.

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References:

• Event ID 14, 17 log for TPM command failure or non-recoverable error
• BitLocker cannot encrypt a drive: known TPM issues