HP confirms problems with ProBooks bios update that bricks laptops

A recent bios update from HP appears to cause problems with ProBooks. HP users report on the manufacturer's forum that their notebooks sometimes refuse to boot after trying to install the update. HP confirms the problems to Tom's Hardware.

This is a bios update released on May 26 for a selection of HP Probook models, report affected users on HP's forum. That update is BIOS version 1.17, which HP has sent to users via Windows Update and HP's Support Assistant software, among other things. The update was marked as required.

Laptops that are at least affected are a number of ProBooks: specifically the x360 435 G7, 445 G7 and 455 G7, and a number of EliteBooks: the 835 G7, 845 G7 and 855 G7. HP has now withdrawn the update and is again offering version 1.16A as the most recent version for those models.

Users who tried to install the update report that their notebook no longer boots up and does not show an image. This makes it impossible to roll back the update and install a different version. The user who first reported the issue has investigated the issue. He indicates on HP's support forum that the file that is written to the biochip during the update is larger than the storage capacity of the chip. It appears that the update is delivering an incorrect or corrupt file.

HP confirms the problem across from Tom's Hardware. The company says it is investigating the issue and advises affected users to contact customer service. It is not known whether the company will also help users whose laptops are outside the warranty period.