After firmware update, USB-C ports not recognizing external displays, HP EliteBook 845 G7 Notebook

[nwman97]

Yesterday my system received a BIOS update to version 1.11.  Included in the update was USB-C firmware update from 1.5 to 1.6.

Prior to the update, I had 2 external monitors connected via USB-C ports.  One monitor was connected directly via USB-C to HDMI port.  The other display was connected via USB-C Hub which includes RJ-45 Ethernet, HDMI, and USB-A peripheral devices.  Interestingly, the USB-C hub does recognize the RJ-45 Ethernet and USB-A connected devices.  But, the HDMI port to the display is not recognized.

I've tried unplugging\re-plugging, restarting the system, and swapping cables.  Nothing thus far has allowed me to utilize the USB-C ports for external displays.

If I directly connect to the HDMI port on the laptop, I get one external display.

It's strange that the USB-C port connected to the USB-C Hub partially works, namely the RJ-45 Ethernet and USB-A ports in the hub. But still, no USB-C from laptop to monitor, whether directly or via hub, is working after the BIOS\firmware update

Suggestions?

[nwman97]

I found the following solution in a related post.  This worked for me

Shut down, unplug all the inserted devices, press and hold the power button for 30 seconds and then turn on the laptop to solve the problem I described.

Prior to trying that solution, I uninstalled\reinstalled drivers via Device Manager.  Perform HP and Windows updates.  There was a suggestion to perform an EUFI hardware diagnostics test in preboot - but I couldn't the menu options to do that.  My IT support team tried various items like "gpupdate /force" and checking Device Manager.

in the end - the obscure solution I'd never heard before, having troubleshoot PCs most of my career, was to press and hold the power button with no USB devices attached for 30 seconds.  Strange.