Clearing pending image screen popping up for 2 weeks

[liam_s-2]

Product: HP Model 14-dq0055dx

Screen black for 10 seconds then a screen saying clearing pending image pops up and goes off in 1 second. 

[Kuroi_Kenshi]

Hi @liam_s-2,

Welcome to the HP Support Community!

Thanks for reaching out!

We're thrilled to have the opportunity to assist you and provide a solution.

I understand your HP Laptop Model 14-dq0055dx briefly shows a “Clearing pending image” message with a black screen for about 10 seconds during startup. Let’s go through a few steps to check what could be causing this.

Understand what the message means
“Clearing pending image” usually appears when the system is finishing or rolling back a Windows or BIOS/firmware update.
If the update did not complete cleanly, the message can repeat on every startup.

Allow Windows to fully complete updates
Sign in to Windows and leave the laptop powered on and connected to the internet for at least 30–60 minutes.
This gives Windows time to finish or clean up any pending update processes.

Check Windows Update status
Go to Settings > Windows Update and select Check for updates.
Install all available updates, including optional updates, then restart the computer.

Perform a hard reset
Shut down the laptop and unplug the power adapter.
Press and hold the power button for 15 seconds, then reconnect power and turn the laptop back on.

Run Startup Repair
Restart the laptop and interrupt startup three times to enter recovery mode.
Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair to fix incomplete boot processes.

Check BIOS version and update status
Restart and tap Esc, then F10 to enter BIOS Setup.
Confirm the BIOS version and exit without making changes.
If the system recently updated BIOS, this message may be normal until cleanup finishes.

Disable Fast Startup
In Windows, go to Control Panel > Power Options > Choose what the power buttons do.
Turn off Fast Startup, save changes, and restart.
Fast Startup can repeatedly trigger pending image cleanup messages.

Scan system files
Open Command Prompt as administrator and run system file checks.
Corrupted system files can cause repeated startup cleanup messages.

Monitor for changes
If the message disappears after updates and resets, no further action is needed.
If it continues daily or starts causing longer delays, it may indicate a stuck firmware or Windows update.

I hope this helps.

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Best regards,