What Users Need to Do if HP Computers Freeze at Startup

June 2, 2026, 2:50 pm | Read time: 2 minutes

A faulty BIOS update has been causing startup issues for many HP business devices since early April 2026. According to the manufacturer, notebooks, desktop PCs, and workstations running Windows 11 23H2, 24H2, and 25H2 are affected. After installing the update, the devices may get stuck in a BitLocker recovery loop. HP has since published a support article detailing further information and a possible solution.

Problems with BitLocker after Restart

As reported by the online magazine “WindowsLatest,” affected devices display the BitLocker screen immediately after startup. Even if users enter the correct recovery key and successfully start Windows, the system requests the key again after the next restart. This can cause the recovery loop to repeat indefinitely.

HP explains that Microsoft’s Secure Boot certificates from 2023 do not function correctly in certain cases. The issue is further complicated because the existing Secure Boot keys from 2011 will expire in June 2026. Therefore, new certificates need to be integrated into the firmware.

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Additional Startup Errors

In addition to the BitLocker loop, users report other boot issues according to the report. Some devices freeze at the HP logo and do not proceed further. This is reportedly due to a faulty change in the Secure Boot variables.

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This change reportedly affects the BitLocker measurements in the TPM, blocking the release of the keys–preventing Windows from starting normally. HP has confirmed the issues and released a temporary solution.

Steps Recommended by HP

To resolve the errors, users should first enter the BIOS by pressing the F10 key. There, under the “Security” menu, they need to open the Secure Boot configuration. The following options should then be enabled:

“Microsoft Option ROM UEFI CA 2023”
“Microsoft UEFI CA 2023”
“Enable MS UEFI CA Key”

Afterward, users must save the changes and restart the device. According to HP, the computer can then be shut down and restarted multiple times. After that, the boot issues should be resolved.

The manufacturer has since published the instructions in an official support article. WindowsLatest also reports on the difficulties with the BIOS update and the potential consequences for affected business devices.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.