HP Support Assistant Check for Updates

[ejnc]

This started about a month ago and I finally tracked it down.

The HP Support Assistant is configured to automatically check for updates on Wednesday between 10 and 11 AM. Not been a problem until about a month ago.

When it checks for updates now, it opens up 15-20 browser tabs. The first 2 go to the support page for my machine, the others never load anything.

If you go into the HP Support Assistant, it opens up 2 browser tabs to the support page for my machine. Every time you switch devices (I have multiple HP devices that are in support assistant), it also opens up 2 browser tabs.

For now, I have disabled the update check, and I'm hoping that will solve the problem.

The bigger issue, which nobody has ever been able to even offer a suggestion on. is that in power settings, I have "Turn my screen off after" set to 5 minutes. If the system in in the state where the screen is off, the CPU fan doesn't run. So, when the screen if off and the support assistant opens 15 browser tabs, the CPU goes crazy and the system gets to the point of almost shutting down because it is overheating. I know that this setting is the issue. If I set the screen to never turn off and just turn off the monitor, the overheating never happens and the fan continues to run.

I know this is really 2 separate problems and the issue I am really trying to solve here is the support assistant issue.

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @ejnc 

Welcome to the HP Support Community! We're here to help you get back up and running.

Thank you for explaining the situation so clearly. It sounds incredibly disruptive, and I can imagine how frustrating it must be to see your system overwhelmed like that—especially when it leads to overheating. 

Let’s go through a few steps that may help resolve this issue and restore smooth performance.

 

Steps to Address the Browser Tab Flooding from HP Support Assistant

This behavior has been observed in similar systems and may be linked to a glitch in how HP Support Assistant interacts with your browser and device profiles.

1. Uninstall and Reinstall HP Support Assistant

Removing and reinstalling the software can often reset its behavior.

• Open Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program
• Select HP Support Assistant and click Uninstall
• Restart your computer
• Reinstall it from the official HP page:
  Download HP Support Assistant
  HP Support Assistant Check for Updates

 

2. Disable Automatic Update Checks

Since disabling the update check helped, you may want to keep it off until a fix is available.

• Open HP Support Assistant
• Go to Settings > Health Analysis
• Turn off Automatic updates and Scheduled health analysis

 

3. Clear Browser Cache and Reset Default Browser

Sometimes cached data or browser extensions can trigger tab openings.

• Clear cache in Microsoft Edge or Chrome
• Reset browser settings to default
• Disable any extensions related to HP or system monitoring

 

Steps to Prevent Overheating During Idle or Screen-Off States

The overheating issue when the screen turns off is especially concerning. It’s good that you’ve identified the link between screen-off behavior and fan inactivity.

1. Adjust Power Settings to Keep Cooling Active

• Go to Control Panel > Power Options
• Select your current plan > Change plan settings
• Set Turn off the display to Never
• Instead, manually turn off the monitor when needed

 

2. Modify Advanced Power Settings

• Click Change advanced power settings
• Expand Processor power management
  • Set Maximum processor state to 80–90%
• Expand System cooling policy
  • Set to Active for both battery and plugged in

 

3. Update BIOS and Chipset Drivers

Outdated firmware can affect thermal management.

• Visit the support page for your desktop:
  HP ENVY Desktop TE01-3000i Drivers
  HP Notebook PCs - Reduce heat inside the laptop to prevent overheating
• Download and install the latest BIOS, Chipset, and System Event Utility

If my response helped, please mark it as an Accepted Solution! ✅ It helps others and spreads support. 💙 Also, tapping "Yes" on "Was this reply helpful?" makes a big difference! Thanks! 😊

Take care, and have an amazing day!

Regards, 

Hawks_Eye

[ejnc]

For now, I'm just going to leave the check for updates off. Given the information you listed, that seems to be the only solution.

Browser cache really can't be the issue, something in browser cache wouldn't magically open 15-20 tabs.

Turning off the screen manually really isn't a fix. That's a band aid at best.

Changing max processor state wouldn't fix anything. The issue is the fan doesn't come on.

There is no section for system cooling policy in Advanced power settings.

BIOS is up to date. You put in a link for how to reduce heat in a laptop right under the spec for the system that says it's a desktop system. I do clean out the dust, but again, the issue is that the CPU fan is turning off when the screen is off. No amount of ventilation will fix that.

[Hawks_Eye · Accepted solution]

Thanks for the clear and thoughtful reply—your observations are spot-on, and you’ve already done a commendable job isolating the real issue. 

You're absolutely right: the browser cache isn’t the root cause, and the fan behavior tied to display state is a firmware-level power management flaw, not something surface-level settings can fix.

We've exhausted our troubleshooting options here.

We recommend taking the conversation to our phone support team. They'll work with you one-on-one to get the issue sorted, possibly with some remote assistance magic. 

I'm sending you a private message to guide you on the next steps.

To access it, click the private message icon in the upper-right corner of your HP Support Community profile, next to your name.

If this resolves your issue, kindly mark this post as "Accepted Solution" and click "Yes" if it was helpful.

Take care and have a great day!

Regards,

Hawks_Eye