boot freeze

[dmmaks]

after downloading and installing bios update via hp support assistant a few days back boot process started freezing. after force shutting down and turning on again it boots up, but when the laptop is turned off for longer periods of time (like an hour or more) the issue appears again. i've found this post which seems to be precisely my case (edited) but I honestly got a bit mentally drained while trying to figure out what to do, and when trying this solution the laptop didn't recognize my usb-a to ethernet dongle while in BIOS, so I decided I can temporarily live with laptop starting only from second attempt every time, however I'm a bit worried, how much time theoretically it can take them to roll out a fix, and how do I know whether they're even working on it?

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @dmmaks 

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

I can understand how draining it feels to deal with a freeze right at startup, especially after you’ve already gone through the effort of updating the BIOS and testing with your USB‑A to Ethernet dongle. You’ve done well to observe the pattern of the issue and to keep the system usable by restarting, even if it takes a second attempt. 

Let’s focus on practical steps that can help stabilize the boot process.

Perform a hard reset

• Shut down the computer completely.
• Disconnect the power adapter and remove any external devices.
• Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds.
• Reconnect only the power adapter and try powering on again.

Check BIOS settings

• Restart the computer and press F10 to enter BIOS Setup.
• Under Boot Options, ensure the correct drive is set as the primary boot device.
• Save changes and exit.

Update BIOS again using HP App

• Open the HP App on your laptop.
• Go to Support > Updates.
• Check if a newer BIOS version or a rollback option is available.
• Install the update and restart the computer.

Run hardware diagnostics

• Restart the computer and press F2 to open HP PC Hardware Diagnostics.
• Run the System Test, including memory and storage checks.
• If any errors are found, follow the on‑screen guidance.

Check Windows Fast Startup

• Go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
• Click Change settings that are currently unavailable.
• Under Shutdown settings, uncheck Turn on fast startup.
• Save changes and restart.

Update chipset and storage drivers

• Visit HP’s driver page: HP Software and Driver Downloads.
• Enter your product name and download the latest chipset and storage drivers.
• Install them and restart the computer.

Keep system firmware aligned

• Ensure Windows Update is fully up to date.
• Go to Settings > Windows Update and install any pending updates.

You’ve already shown patience by living with the second‑attempt boot. With these steps, you should be able to reduce the freeze and make startup feel smoother. The BIOS and driver updates are the most important pieces here, as they directly influence how the system initializes after being powered off for longer periods.

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

[dmmaks]

Ok so I went through each point of yours and unfortunately to no success 😞

- hard reset didn't work before to ultimately solve the issue and didn't work now either

- primary boot device is correct

- hp support assistant app says everything is up to date when i check for updates

- hardware disgnostics gave me a battery warning (I'll attach a photo) and everything else was successful. Also ran symptom test just in case and it says successful 

- turning off fast startup didn't help 

- ran automatic identification and installed all the drivers it suggested (almost every driver listed), interestingly enough at first I thought the issue was solved, cause 40 min later laptop booted normally, however the next day the issue appeared again

- no windows updates pending 

Ultimately none of the suggestions helped

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @dmmaks 

We sincerely thank you for your patience and co-operation during this troubleshooting process.

In this case, we have to reload Windows from scratch.

First, we need to download the Windows image onto a 32GB or 64GB USB flash drive (Flash drive only, memory cards and USB hard drives are not supported; It has to be 32GB or 64B only)

You can download the Windows image through the 'HP Cloud Recovery App', which can be downloaded from the Windows Store.

Refer to Step 2 on the link below:

And follow Step 4 to reload Windows from the newly created USB recovery media.

https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/ish_9223491-9126662-16

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

[dmmaks]

I tried reinstalling windows via operating system recovery in f11 and that didn't help, are you sure this way is gonna be any different? Reinstalling windows is quite time and energy consuming, so having to do it already a second time would be a bit sad

[dmmaks]

Hi again @Hawks_Eye

So I tried your suggestion about reinstalling windows with a usb flash and it didn't help.

I also tried rolling back bios via other methods, but it just wouldn't let me, says it is against system policy, both via usb and via hp's windows utility. Which is weird considering as per hp site you can rollback as low as 1.03.00 and I was trying to install 1.03.02, and also in bios itself rollback is set to allowed

[Hawks_Eye]

Hi @dmmaks 

We sincerely thank you for your patience and co-operation during this troubleshooting process.

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

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