This post is for owners of an HP Pavilion, Victus, ProBook, EliteBook or other HP PC whose screen stops at the HP logo after a Windows update, or which keeps going into Automatic Repair. Students, accountants and shop owners in this position often need the PC the next morning. Here are the safe steps to try, in order, what has and has not been confirmed, and when to stop and ask for help.
My HP PC is stuck at the HP logo after a Windows update. What should I try?
Short answer: First wait, because an update can take a long time to finish. Then do a hard reset, remove everything plugged into the USB ports, and try again. If the PC still stops, reset the BIOS (the small program that starts the PC before Windows loads) to its default settings and retry the update. Do not format the drive. If none of this works, a technician can check the drive and the boot files without losing your data.
What has been reported, and what is confirmed?
Microsoft released the Windows update KB5121003 on 11 August 2026. PCWorld (14 September 2026) and Windows Report reported that on some HP PCs the update installed, the PC restarted, stuck at the HP logo, went into Automatic Repair (Windows' built-in start-up fixer) and then rolled the update back. Some people saw error 0x800f0845. The same reports said Dell and Lenovo PCs were also affected.
Some users said an HP support representative advised loading BIOS defaults, after which the update installed. That is what people reported, not an HP announcement.
What is not established: Microsoft's page for KB5121003 lists only unrelated known issues and no HP problem. Neither Microsoft nor HP has said the update damages the BIOS, so please treat "BIOS corruption" as an unproven claim. Whether your exact model is in the affected group is not something Microsoft's page states. To see the current status, open Microsoft's page for KB5121003 and the Windows release health page, and check HP's support site for your model.
What are the safe steps, in order?
Step 1: Wait
Leave the PC on the charger for a good while. Updates can sit on a screen with little activity. If the drive light or the fan shows activity, keep waiting. Do not hold the power button during an active update unless you have waited a long time with no activity at all.
Step 2: Hard reset
- Switch off the PC. Unplug the charger.
- If the battery is removable, take it out. Otherwise skip this.
- Hold the power button for about 15 seconds, then release (the time can differ by model).
- Plug the charger back in and start the PC.
Step 3: Remove USB devices
Unplug pen drives, external drives, printers, dongles and docks. Start with only the charger connected. A device left plugged in can sometimes change the start-up order.
Step 4: Reset the BIOS to defaults
- Start the PC and tap F10 repeatedly to enter the BIOS setup on many HP models. The key can differ by model.
- Find the option to load default settings, often under Main or Exit. The wording can differ.
- Save and exit, then try the update again.
If your drive is protected by BitLocker (Windows' built-in drive lock), keep your recovery key ready, because a BIOS change can trigger a request for it. Our post on BitLocker asking for a recovery key after a Windows update explains what to do.
Step 5: Try the repair options
If the PC reaches the blue Windows recovery screen, choose Troubleshoot, then Advanced options, then Uninstall Updates. This removes the update and is not meant to touch your files; the wording can differ slightly between versions.
Power cuts and failed updates
In India a power cut or voltage dip during an update is one possible cause of a PC that will not finish starting. Keep the charger connected, and avoid starting a large update when the power supply in your area is unsteady. Slow broadband can also stretch a download, so let it finish rather than interrupting it.
When to get help
- The PC stays stuck after the steps above.
- It loops through Automatic Repair on every start.
- It does not reach the recovery screen at all.
- You have files you cannot lose, such as accounts or study work.
Our page on HP boot loop repair covers this problem, and the HP repair page lists our other HP services. We offer HP doorstep service in Hyderabad, and laptops can reach us by courier from anywhere in India. ₹149 doorstep visit fee, waived when you approve laptop repair with us. An HP still under warranty should go to HP's authorised service first. We repair HP PCs out of warranty or when the owner chooses independent repair.
Before any BIOS or Windows update, our checklist for before every BIOS update is a useful habit.
A note from the LRW Engineer Team
When a PC will not start after an update, stay calm and change one thing at a time. Repeated forced shutdowns can add new problems, so stop after the steps above and call us. Files are often recoverable when the drive itself is healthy. Message us on WhatsApp at 7702503336.