System firmware update warning loop

[ESB_CT]

Every time Windows 11 restarts, a system notification is shown: "A restart is needed to finish configuration for this device: HP W72 System Firmware".

When booting, after the bitlocker password screen, a message is briefly shown "updates are being applied...", then it boots again, goes to the bitlocker screen and then Windows is loaded. This double boot issue repeats every time I restart Windows.

Current BIOS is W72 Ver. 01.05.00 - 01/07/2025

Windows Updates are all applied (up to 13 Aug 2025). Also the HP Support Assistant shows no updates.

I tried downloading and installing the latest BIOS (01.06.01 Rev.A) but the manual install fails with "flash write error".

[TheHelper0007]

Welcome to HP Support Community, @ESB_CT

Thank you for posting your query, I will be glad to help you.

This is a classic case of a stuck firmware update that is being blocked by a security feature. The "flash write error" is the key clue. To fix this, you need to temporarily suspend BitLocker and then use a USB drive to perform the update from outside the Windows environment.

Temporarily Suspend BitLocker.

You must do this before attempting the BIOS update. This does not decrypt your drive, but it allows low-level system changes to be made.

1. Click the Start Menu, type Manage BitLocker, and press Enter.
2. In the BitLocker Drive Encryption window, click on Suspend protection.
3. A warning will appear. Click Yes to confirm.
4. Leave the computer on and proceed to the next step.

Update the BIOS using a USB Flash Drive
Follow these detailed instructions to create a recovery USB drive and apply the update.

Part A: Create the Recovery USB on a Second Computer.

1. You will need a second, working computer and a blank USB flash drive.
2. On the original computer with the issue, press the power button and then immediately press the esc key repeatedly until the Startup Menu opens.
3. Press the f1 key to open System Information.
4. Write down the Product Name, SKU Number (product number), and the System Board ID.
5. Turn off that computer.
6. On the second computer, insert the blank USB flash drive.
7. Go to the HP Software and Driver Downloads page and navigate to the product page for your computer.
8. Select BIOS from the list. Read the "Details" section to confirm the update applies to your computer.
9. Click Download. When prompted, select Download only. Save the file to your computer.
10. Double-click the downloaded file (e.g., sp12345.exe) to start the installation.
11. On the InstallShield Wizard window, click Next.
12. Accept the license agreement and click Next.
13. In the HP BIOS Update and Recovery window, click Next.
14. Select Create Recovery USB flash drive, and then click Next.
15. Select your USB flash drive from the list and click Next.
16. Wait for the files to copy. When the "recovery flash drive was created successfully" message appears, click Finish.
17. Remove the USB flash drive from the second computer.

Part B: Install the BIOS on the Original Computer.

1. Turn on the original computer and immediately press the esc key repeatedly until the Startup Menu opens.
2. Press the f2 key to open the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI menu.
3. Insert the USB flash drive with the BIOS update into the computer.
4. Click Firmware Management (or BIOS Management).
5. Click BIOS Update.
6. Click Select BIOS Image to Apply.
7. Navigate to the file on the USB drive: HP_TOOLS-USB Drive > Hewlett-Packard > BIOS > Current.
8. Select the BIOS update file that matches the System Board ID you wrote down earlier.
9. Click Apply Update Now and type the administrator password if prompted.
10. Wait for the installation to complete. Do not shut down or restart the computer until the process finishes.
11. When prompted, click Restart System, or wait for the computer to restart automatically.

Verify and Resume BitLocker
After the BIOS update is complete, the computer should now boot into Windows normally without the double-boot loop.

1. Once you are in Windows, go back to the Manage BitLocker window.
2. Click on Resume protection.

Check if this fixes the issue.

I hope this helps.

Take care and have a good day.