What to check after a laptop BIOS update

A laptop can behave differently after a BIOS update. It may take longer to start, show a recovery prompt, or run with settings you had changed before. Some changes are expected, but you should check that the computer starts reliably and performs normally.

Work through the checks below before changing firmware settings again. The Processor Test can help you compare processor speed, but it cannot diagnose a faulty BIOS or prove that every part of the laptop is healthy.

Check the laptop after the update

1. Start the laptop normally and wait for Windows to finish loading. If the update screen is still active, do not turn off the laptop or disconnect its power. After it reaches the desktop, note any error message or unexpected restart.
2. Check basic functions: restart once, connect to Wi-Fi, play sound, and confirm that the keyboard and touchpad work. If you use an external display or dock, check those after the laptop works by itself.
3. Open the Processor Test and run a single-core and all-core test while the laptop is plugged in. Close heavy apps first, and note both scores. The test reports processor speed with a score out of 100.
4. Compare the result with a score you recorded before the update, if you have one. For a useful comparison, use the same browser, power source, and Windows power mode, and let the laptop cool to a similar starting temperature.
5. Check the firmware settings only if a feature or device is missing. Many updates leave settings alone, but some can restore defaults. Follow the laptop maker's instructions for entering firmware setup and changing a setting.

A Mac does not have a PC-style BIOS update that you install separately. Mac firmware updates are delivered as part of macOS updates. On a Mac, check System Settings › General › Software Update for available updates instead.

What the result means

Windows starts and the laptop works as before

The update has not caused an obvious problem. A longer first startup can happen while the laptop initializes after a firmware change. If later restarts are also unusually slow, or the laptop repeatedly returns to a firmware screen, continue with the fixes below.

The laptop asks for a BitLocker recovery key

This can happen when a firmware change affects the security checks BitLocker uses to protect the Windows drive. It does not by itself mean that your files are damaged. Find the recovery key through the account or organization that manages the laptop. Do not clear the TPM or change Secure Boot settings to get around the prompt, because that can make recovery harder.

A feature or device stopped working

A firmware update may change a setting such as Secure Boot, virtualization, or a device controller option. Check the firmware setup against the laptop maker's instructions, and change only the setting related to the symptom. If the issue is a missing Windows device, also check whether Windows needs a driver update.

The Processor Test score is lower

A small difference between runs is normal. Browser workload, background apps, power mode, heat, and battery power can all affect a score. A large drop that repeats under the same conditions is worth investigating, but a browser benchmark alone cannot show whether the BIOS is defective.

The laptop shuts down, freezes, or repeatedly restarts

These are not ordinary performance variations. Stop running benchmarks, save any available work, and check the laptop maker's update instructions. If it cannot complete startup, contact the manufacturer or a repair professional rather than trying firmware recovery steps at random.

How to fix problems after the update

1. Restart once and wait. If Windows loaded, use the normal restart option and give the first boot a little extra time. Do not interrupt a screen that says firmware is still updating.
2. Connect the original power adapter. Some laptops limit processor speed on battery, and firmware updates may also require stable power. Test again while plugged in, with the battery charging if possible.
3. Check Windows power mode. In Windows 11, open Settings › System › Power & battery and check Power mode. Choose the mode you normally use before comparing processor scores. On a Mac, power settings are under System Settings › Battery, but there is no BIOS setting to restore.
4. Check for a recovery prompt carefully. If BitLocker asks for a key, use the recovery key associated with the laptop or contact its administrator. Do not guess repeatedly or disable security features without guidance from the laptop maker.
5. Review firmware settings with the manufacturer's guide. If a previously used feature is now off, use the maker's instructions to identify the correct setting. Avoid loading defaults unless the support instructions recommend it, since defaults can change boot and security behavior.
6. Contact support if startup remains unreliable. Write down the laptop model, BIOS version, update method, error text, and what happens on each startup. Share those details with the manufacturer or a qualified repair shop before attempting a recovery or downgrade.

When to stop testing

A processor benchmark is a short performance check, not a repair tool. If the laptop becomes unusually hot, freezes, or shuts down during the test, stop it and let the computer cool. Do not run repeated full-load tests to force a problem to appear. A laptop that cannot boot reliably after an update needs manufacturer-specific troubleshooting, not more benchmarking.

Keep a note of the new BIOS version and any firmware settings you change, so you can explain what happened if you need support.