HP is investigating reports that a recent BIOS update has caused critical boot loop issues in its high-end ZBook Ultra G1a and EliteBook X G1a laptops. Starting in April 2026, users began reporting that after automatic updates via Windows Update, their machines became unbootable, freezing during startup. The problematic BIOS versions include 01.04.03 and 01.04.05 for the ZBook Ultra G1a, and earlier versions for the EliteBook X G1a. HP distributed the updates as emergency patches, but with no clear rollback path for most users.

A limited workaround involves using HP’s network BIOS downgrade tool, which requires an HP USB-C Ethernet dongle—making recovery difficult for many. Some users found official fixes were not yet publicly accessible, adding to frustration. This isn’t the first time HP has faced such an issue; in 2024, a similar BIOS update permanently bricked ProBook devices, leading to costly repairs.

The incident raises concerns about firmware update practices in enterprise hardware, where reliability is paramount. HP has acknowledged the issue and urged affected users to contact support, but a broad fix has not yet been released. Customers are left waiting as the company investigates the root cause and potential recovery paths.