HP Envy 15 ep0025cl - Windows features have become laggy (volume, app switch, IME)

[bluenaxela]

Hi there!

It seems like, ever since installing the latest Windows Update (October 29, 2020—KB4580364 (OS Builds 19041.610 and 19042.610) Preview) , my computer has become really slow with using certain features. 

I use an IME to type Chinese, but sometimes the little window that shows suggestions doesn't appear, sometimes it does.

I can't use some function of the FN Keys, like fast forwarding or pausing music. When I use those keys to adjust the volume or brightness, it takes like 30 seconds to a 1 minute or 2 to have the little GUI thing pop up, if at all. 

Sometimes I can't alt-tab and switch applications.  It will take like 1 minute, then I can switch normally for like 5 times, and then it'll just go back to being laggy and unresponsive. 

I checked my Task Manager, and nothing is indicating that my CPU or other things are being overloaded or are above normal levels. I did the Performance Check in HP Support Assistant, and everything was normal. 

I do on occasion hear some very very faint beeping noises coming from the right side of my laptop, but I'm not sure if it was there before and I just didn't notice it.

I suspected it was the NVME I installed as a second drive a few months ago maybe going bad, but the diagnostic tool said everything was fine, so it's maybe not that. 

Anyone having similar problems after the new-ish update recently? 

EDIT: Also my fingerprint sensor doesn't work sometimes fro some reason

[WAWood]

@bluenaxela 

Was that Update offered to you through Windows Update?  Or did you download it yourself and force the installation?

Asking because it is a Preview -- and you should NOT be installing those without first making an Image Backup so you have something to restore FROM if you run into issues like this.

About all you can do now, since I presume you did not make any backup, is see if you can go into Windows Update, Installed Updates, and try to back out that update.

[bluenaxela]

Hi there thanks for the reply. I uninstalled it, but it still seems like the issue comes back at around 20-30 minutes or so of rebooting my PC. 

I definitely don't want to go the route of refreshing my PC though. That is a humongous headache in and of itself. 

EDIT: Yeah I'm pretty sure I only installed it because Windows told me to. I could be mistaken but I'm pretty sure that's why.

[bluenaxela]

So it might not be the Windows Update. They released the real update not too long ago, and I'm still having these issues.

What's strange is, I can use the play button hotkey if I'm in Spotify, but if I'm not, SOMETIMES (especially after the alt tab issue starts up), it won't do anything. 

The brightness button will always work, but the little dialog box won't show up until like 30 sec to a min later. This alt tab issue is frustrating the heck out of me. 

[bluenaxela]

Hey everyone, I've been using it for an hour or so, and I think I got it working. Usually the issue would come up around 15 to 20 minutes from restarting, so it seems promising.

What I did was reinstall old drivers for the IMEI and Biometric sensors for good measure.

I also edited the registry to take me back to the old alt tab method.

I was considering uninstalling the keyboard and reinstalling the drivers but it seems like that's not the issue.

I'll reset the regsitry thing later on and let you all know if the issue comes up. 

EDIT: Spoke too soon..... literally not long after I posted this (and connected my bluetooth headphones?), the issue came back. Is there any other troubleshooting I can do?