restarting for BIOS update

Question

I cannot get my computer to restart to finish installing the update for the BIOS update. I also cannot use my computer to do certain tasks or play games until this update is finished

Answer 1

Hi Emma Perry,
Welcome to Microsoft Q&A forum. I'm happy to help.

The update may fail to finalize its progress. If it has been a long time, please force shutdown your computer and run Windows update again.

For further information, you may follow this article to troubleshoot the Windows update: Windows Update Troubleshooter - Microsoft Support.

Alternatively, you may manually download the update package to install through Microsoft Update Catalog. Just enter the KB you need to Search form then choose the package right for your system.

I hope that above information is helpful to you.

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Answer 2

Hi,

If it's a laptop or desktop, if possible, could you provide the laptop model or your desktop configuration?

We can see if it's possible to update the BIOS directly using a USB flash drive.

Thanks

Answer 3

A BIOS or firmware update generally must complete before normal use, and it almost always requires at least one restart. If the system will not restart or the update will not finish, use recovery or offline methods instead of trying to force it from within Windows.

Use these approaches:

1. Try normal restart to apply pending updates

• Save work and close apps.
• Select Start > Power > Update and restart (or Update and shut down) if available.
• Many updates, including firmware-related ones, require this type of restart to complete.

2. If Windows Update is failing repeatedly

• Run a system file and image repair to ensure Windows components used by the update are healthy:
  1. Open Command Prompt as administrator.
  2. Run:

          DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth
          sfc /scannow
     

  3. After both complete successfully, try the restart/update again.

3. If the device is stuck in a restart/update loop or will not boot normally

• Boot into Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) and repair the system so it can complete updates:
  1. Power on the PC and as soon as the Windows or OEM logo appears, hold the power button to force it off.
  2. Repeat this power‑on / forced‑off cycle 2–3 times until Automatic Repair or Recovery appears.
  3. Choose Advanced options.
  4. Try, in order:
     • Startup Repair (to fix boot/update issues).
     • System Restore (roll back to a restore point from before the failed update).
     • If those fail and the system is new or you can afford a reinstall, Reset this PC > Keep my files to reinstall Windows while preserving personal data.

4. If the BIOS update tool itself is frozen or will not run in Windows

• Use the vendor’s bootable/ISO method instead of running the update from within Windows:
  1. From another working PC, download the vendor’s bootable BIOS update ISO or image.
  2. Burn it to CD/DVD or create a bootable USB as instructed by the vendor.
  3. Insert the media into the affected PC and restart.
  4. Use the firmware’s Boot Menu (often F12, F11, Esc, etc.) to boot from the CD/DVD/USB.
  5. Follow the on‑screen instructions to complete the BIOS update outside of Windows.

5. If the system cannot restart at all or the update repeatedly fails even after repairs

• For a brand‑new or OEM system that will not complete first‑boot updates, use WinRE to run System Restore or Reset this PC as above.
• If the BIOS update is vendor‑supplied and still will not complete, contact the device manufacturer’s support, as a failed or blocked BIOS update can be specific to that hardware.

Avoid manually editing the registry or forcing power‑offs during an active BIOS flash, as that can render the system unbootable.

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References:

• ThinkPad BIOS update utility stops responding when you try to update the BIOS on a Windows Vista-based Lenovo Thinkpad T60 portable computer or on a Windows Vista-based Lenovo Thinkpad T60p portable computer
• Troubleshoot problems updating Windows
• New laptop MSI won't go past update installation at first boot - Microsoft Q&A