black screen claiming to be an update

Question

Black screen on a Win 11 machine. message reads

Working on update. 100% Complete

Don't turn off your PC. This will take a while.

Answer 1

Hi , that sounds like an update screen, but I’d like to check a couple of details before suggesting anything.

How long has it stayed at 100%? Did it appear after restarting the PC, or while you were browsing the internet? Could you share a photo of the screen, with any personal information hidden?

If it appeared during a restart to install updates, please keep the PC connected to power and leave it on for now.

Answer 2

If the screen has been at “Working on update. 100% Complete. Don’t turn off your PC” for an unusually long time, try these steps in order:

1. Wait a bit longer first. Some updates can take a long time to finish.
2. Force a shutdown if it remains stuck: press and hold the power button for 10+ seconds or, on some guidance, 20 seconds until the PC turns off.
3. Turn the PC back on and check whether Windows starts normally.
4. If Windows does not start normally, force entry into Windows Recovery Environment:
   • Start the PC.
   • As Windows begins to load (for example, when spinning dots appear), press and hold the power button for 5–10 seconds to shut it down.
   • Repeat this twice.
   • On the third start, Windows should open Recovery.
5. In Recovery, try Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Repair.
6. If Recovery shows an option to uninstall the update, that can be the next step.
7. After getting back into Windows, run the Windows Update troubleshooter:
   • Start > Settings > System > Troubleshoot > Other troubleshooters
   • Find Windows Update and select Run.
8. Then check for updates again:
   • Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates

If the PC does boot normally after the forced restart, that usually means the update completed and no further action is needed.

---

References:

• Troubleshoot problems updating Windows
• Troubleshooting blank screens in Windows
• My Laptop screen is frozen and says "You're 100% there. Please keep your Computer on" - Microsoft Q&A
• Windows11 Update Stuck - Microsoft Q&A