Flickering problem and BIOS version question

[FN15]

Good morning:

I have had a "HP Pavilion Power - 15-cb031nl" notebook for 7 years:
I now have the BIOS version: "F.41" from 01/12/2020,
and I have Windows 11 25H2 (I upgraded to Windows 11 only a month ago).

1.

The app: "HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows" (version 2.9.0.0, downloaded a few days ago from the official HP website), tells me that there is a better version of my current BIOS (F41), namely F.16;
furthermore, over the course of 7 years, I must have updated the BIOS (from the official HP website) at least 2 or 3 other times (I don't remember exactly how many times).

2.

I also have a problem with my screen, for many years now (I think at least 2 or 3 years, if not more), and that is that at a certain point in these 7 years, (I don't remember the exact moment) my HP monitor started to flicker: the flickering is also present when I access the BIOS menu (so I believe it is not a Windows problem).

This flickering only happens when I'm in "battery mode": to try to remove it, every time I use the PC I always have to repeatedly press "F2" and "F3" (which are the keys to increase and decrease the brightness from 10% to 100%), and, whenever it (i.e. my PC) wants, without any sense or reason or logic, at a certain brightness percentage (for example, today at 50%, tomorrow at 70%, the day after tomorrow at 90%), the flickering disappears, and I get the precise brightness value I had set (that is, in the previous examples, either 50, or 70, or 90%). Otherwise, if I don't do this operation (at 50, 70, or 90%), the screen always remains at minimum brightness (as if I were at 10%), and with a slight, or strong, flicker.
The moment I plug in the AC power cord, the flickering disappears, and the brightness becomes the same as what I had set with F2-F3 (e.g., 50, or 70, or 90).

Over the years, I have tried every possible option: for example, I looked at all the Windows power saving settings, I updated the drivers for my NVIDIA graphics card [from the official NVIDIA website], etc. etc.

But, recently I began to suspect that perhaps the problem might be the fact that, over the course of these 7 years, I should never have updated my BIOS, not even once, but instead left the BIOS version I had when I initially bought the PC: in fact, in the first few years that I used the PC, I never experienced this flickering or 10% brightness drop.

Furthermore, the "HP PC Hardware Diagnostics Windows" app simply tells me if I want to update from F.41 to F.16, without explaining whether F16 is the best and most updated version of the F.41 BIOS I have now:

and if I go to the official HP website and enter the brand and model of my PC, to find new drivers, I do not find the 25H2 version of Windows 11 (which I have now for a month), and if I try to enter the version: "Windows 24H2", or "Windows 11" without any specifics (e.g., without 23H2, 24H2, etc.), HP simply tells me that I have the most updated drivers, without telling me instead: "there is the F16 version of the BIOS which is better than the F41".

Furthermore, I have not found anything anywhere on the internet that shows me a "ranking" of the most updated BIOSes for my PC model: so I don't know if, by updating to F16, I risk freezing and ruining my PC completely, making it unusable.

Could you help me?
1. Do I need to update to F16?
2. How can I fix the flickering and brightness drop problem?

Thanks for anything you can answer.

[Jerry_57]

Hi @FN15,

Welcome to the HP Support Community.
 

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

It seems you are facing issues with your HP Pavilion Power 15-cb031nl notebook regarding BIOS updates and possibly screen flickering after moving to Windows 11. Let's address each concern step-by-step:
 

1. Screen Flickering:
   
   
   • The flickering problem can be caused by various factors, such as outdated drivers or incompatible software.
      
   • Troubleshooting Steps:
     
     
     • Update Graphics Drivers: Make sure that your graphics drivers are up to date. You can download the latest drivers from the HP Support or directly from the NVIDIA/Intel website if applicable.
        
     • Check Display Settings: Ensure that your display settings are configured correctly, including the refresh rate.
        
     • HP Updates: Use the HP Support Assistant to check for any updates for your device. Sometimes, an overlooked update can resolve the flickering issue.
        
     • Test Hardware: Run the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics to check the display hardware.

1. BIOS Update:
   
   
   • The discrepancy regarding the BIOS versions is unusual since a later version should have a higher number (not less). Therefore, be cautious.
      
   • Steps to Update BIOS:
     
     
     • Verify Compatibility: Confirm that the BIOS version F.16 is indeed an update over F.41 for your specific model. This can sometimes be a typo or miscommunication in version numbers.
        
     • Download and Install:
       
       
       • Visit the HP Customer Support - Software and Driver Downloads and enter your notebook's model number.
       • Look for the "BIOS" section for the latest update.
       • Follow the on-screen instructions to download and install the BIOS update safely.
       • Ensure your notebook is connected to AC power during the update, and do not interrupt the update process.
         
         
         I hope this helps.

Take care and have an amazing day!
 

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Jerry_57

HP Support

[FN15]

I'd already done all these steps, but nothing: the flickering problem isn't solved. I also went to the HP website, but it doesn't tell me anything: I wanted to know from you if the F.16 was better or worse than the F.41. Actually, by chance, I tried to enter my model on the HP website, but instead of Windows 11 (the one I have now), I entered Windows 10 (64-bit) (see link)

https://support.hp.com/it-it/drivers/hp-pavilion-power-15-cb000-laptop-pc/model/20062282?sku=3FZ23EA...

And I noticed that it says F.42 Rev.A, dated September 7, 2021, as the BIOS to update.

Also, if I go to "revision history," there's a whole list of BIOSes, but they're still for Windows 10 (64-bit), not Windows 11.

So, I'm wondering: for my Windows 11 25H2, what's the most up-to-date BIOS version to install?

I also read that version F.16 Rev 1, (sp158970), dated June 16, 2025, is the most up-to-date version (it is 80MB): can I install this version of my BIOS?

[Jerry_57]

Hi @FN15,

Thank you for sharing the details.

I understand the flicker feels unsettling, like a screen that won’t stay still. The most up‑to‑date BIOS for your model is the one listed on HP’s support page (F.42, Sept 2021), even if it shows under Windows 10—it applies to Windows 11 as well.

Regards
Jerry_57
HP Support

[FN15]

Thanks, I updated to F.42 but, as I imagined, the flickering problem remained.

[Jerry_57]

HI @FN15,

Thank you for sharing the details.

May I know if you have updated the graphics drivers and checked?

Regards
Jerry_57
HP Support

[FN15]

Yes, as I said in the first message of this topic, I have tried everything for years, including updating all the graphics drivers (and not only) in every way: but nothing.