2026-08 Security Update (KB5121003) (26200.9168) not installing despite following lots of tips.

Question

2026-08 Security Update (KB5121003) (26200.9168) not installing despite following lots of tips.

Grady 25

I just obtained a brand new HP laptop and am completely unable to install this update

Order of events:

I download the update (no problems here)
it prompts for a reboot
upon reboot it somewhat "gives up" and just loads me into a boot screen where I just end up staring at the HP logo forever
I end up holding down on the power button eventually leading to the system to shut down and start up again
upon start up it begins "diagnosing" then "repairing" and eventually undoing the update bringing me back to square one What I have tried:
1. I have ran all 3 of the dism commands
2. done ,system--recovery and then "fix problems using windows update"
3. manually downloading it. Leads to the same issues listed above. Are there any other possible fixes to avoid what's going on? Is Microsoft aware of this issue and working on a fix? If they are, and there are no other solutions I will most likely pause this update until then. If not, well I really have no clue. This is a brand new laptop and I've already returned the previous one for the EXACT same reason.

Ramesh 180.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-25T10:00:57.59+00:00
Please upload your CBS logs to OneDrive or GoFile.io and post the link here.

The logs are available in the following folder. Copy the following folder to the desktop.

c:\windows\logs\cbs

Zip the folder and share the file on OneDrive or GoFile.io. Post the link here.
Rob 25 Reputation points

2026-08-25T18:23:06.9866667+00:00

I'm having the exact same problem as you. I actually returned my previous laptop and exchanged it for a brand-new replacement because I thought the issue might have been specific to that device, but the replacement is having the exact same problem with KB5121003.

My laptop is also an HP OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 14-inch, model 14-KC0013DX / D31MHUA#ABA, with an AMD Ryzen AI 5 430, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 2K OLED touchscreen, and Windows 11 Home 25H2.

The symptoms are essentially identical to what you described: the update downloads normally, asks for a restart, gets stuck at the HP logo during the reboot, and eventually Windows goes into Automatic Repair and rolls the update back. I also received error 0x800f0845 afterward.

I've already tried DISM, SFC, the Windows Update troubleshooter, and manually downloading/installing the update, but I get the same result.

What's especially concerning is that I had the exact same issue on my previous laptop and now I'm experiencing it again on the replacement. I also went back to the store and noticed that the display model of the same laptop was showing the failed update as well.

At this point, I'm starting to think this may be a compatibility issue between KB5121003 and the HP OmniBook X Flip 14-inch/Ryzen AI 5 430 platform, rather than a problem with an individual defective laptop.

Hopefully Microsoft is aware of this and can identify the cause and release a fix soon. If I find anything that works, I'll update here as well. Highly thinking about just exchanging for a different laptop all together.
Robert R 10 Reputation points

2026-08-26T19:49:32.0733333+00:00

I'm having the same problem. I have an almost brand new HP OmniBook X Flip Laptop AI. I've been advised to pause Windows Update for at least a month until Microsoft resolves this problem, which I'm certain is of its own making. I've read all the potential solutions, and my question is "Why do I have to go to all this trouble, when Microsoft is clearly at fault?" Over the past months I have read all the Rah-rah propaganda from Microsoft about how Windows Update has been radically improved, and now this problem. I wish I had purchased the MacBook I'd been considering rather than the HP I bought.
Mallory Good 5 Reputation points

2026-08-27T23:41:34.4633333+00:00

I just wanted to add that I am having exactly the same issue, and went through almost exactly the same thing as @Rob
My previous laptop (HP Pavillion) died on me after many years. I decided it was about time to get a new laptop anyway. I purchased a brand-new HP Omnibook X Flip Laptop AI 14inch D31MHUA#ABA. It acted a bit weird upon setting it up, but I didn't think much of it, over the next two weeks it would regularly try to update. I would let it update and every time it went to restart or turn back on it would get stuck on the HP screen and then go into automatic repair. The last time it did it, it then actually tried to go into automatic repair and couldn't be repaired. I took it back to the store and luckily, they let me exchange for the same product - we chalked it up to a factory defect.

I'm now on my second, new laptop. It has tried to apply the update 2026-08 Security Update (KB5121003) (26200.9168) and upon restarting it got stuck on the HP logo and then went into the automatic repair cycle. Install error - 0x800f0845.

For now, I guess I'll just pause updates - but I have other updates, including drivers that need to be done, and I cannot do without trying to do this security update. Incredibly frustrating.
Angela R 0 Reputation points

2026-08-28T00:19:59.64+00:00

I had all the same issues. And I wondered if the latest security update was conflicting with something so I removed McAfee trial and made sure Window Defender was on and Defender did an update. I rebooted then tried to reinstall the Windows Security Update and it worked. Seems ok now.
AVINASH GODBOLE 0 Reputation points

2026-08-28T03:57:36.6733333+00:00

I also facing same problem Acer Aspire 7 16 GB RAM amd Ryzen 5. I tried all option not worked restore , reset not working finally clean installed and typing this comment after installation. still while starting showing black screen have to forcefully power off 2-3 time then its starts
Supermalon 0 Reputation points

2026-08-28T18:45:11.3866667+00:00

exact same issue here, also with omnibook x flip
Subramanian, Sri Satya 5 Reputation points

2026-08-31T00:03:08.65+00:00

I would like to report an issue with Windows Security Update KB5121003, build 26200.9168.

The update downloaded and started installing normally. However, after the laptop restarted to complete the installation, it remained stuck on the HP restart screen for more than 30 minutes without completing the reboot.

Because there was no visible progress, I eventually performed a forced shutdown.

When I turned the laptop back on, Windows entered Automatic Repair. It then displayed the message:

“Something didn’t go as planned. No need to worry, undoing changes. Please keep your computer on.”

Windows subsequently rolled back the update. After the system recovered, Windows Update history showed KB5121003 as failed.

This is concerning because KB5121003 is a Windows security update, and the installation process resulted in a prolonged restart, forced shutdown, Automatic Repair, and rollback.

Please investigate the installation failure associated with KB5121003 and provide guidance on whether affected users should retry the update, pause it temporarily, or wait for a corrected release
Robert R 10 Reputation points

2026-08-31T20:02:22.2633333+00:00

@Subramanian, Sri Satya The exact same thing happened to me several times. I've been advised to pause updates until Microsoft resolves the issue, but there's been no word yet. Most of the comments I've seen elsewhere talk about gaming issues, but nothing so far about HP screens going black after restarting.

8 answers

Your answer

Ramesh 180.9K Reputation points Volunteer Moderator

2026-08-25T10:00:57.59+00:00

Please upload your CBS logs to OneDrive or GoFile.io and post the link here.

The logs are available in the following folder. Copy the following folder to the desktop.

c:\windows\logs\cbs

Zip the folder and share the file on OneDrive or GoFile.io. Post the link here.
Rob 25 Reputation points

2026-08-25T18:23:06.9866667+00:00

I'm having the exact same problem as you. I actually returned my previous laptop and exchanged it for a brand-new replacement because I thought the issue might have been specific to that device, but the replacement is having the exact same problem with KB5121003.

My laptop is also an HP OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 14-inch, model 14-KC0013DX / D31MHUA#ABA, with an AMD Ryzen AI 5 430, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 2K OLED touchscreen, and Windows 11 Home 25H2.

The symptoms are essentially identical to what you described: the update downloads normally, asks for a restart, gets stuck at the HP logo during the reboot, and eventually Windows goes into Automatic Repair and rolls the update back. I also received error 0x800f0845 afterward.

I've already tried DISM, SFC, the Windows Update troubleshooter, and manually downloading/installing the update, but I get the same result.

What's especially concerning is that I had the exact same issue on my previous laptop and now I'm experiencing it again on the replacement. I also went back to the store and noticed that the display model of the same laptop was showing the failed update as well.

At this point, I'm starting to think this may be a compatibility issue between KB5121003 and the HP OmniBook X Flip 14-inch/Ryzen AI 5 430 platform, rather than a problem with an individual defective laptop.

Hopefully Microsoft is aware of this and can identify the cause and release a fix soon. If I find anything that works, I'll update here as well. Highly thinking about just exchanging for a different laptop all together.
Robert R 10 Reputation points

2026-08-26T19:49:32.0733333+00:00

I'm having the same problem. I have an almost brand new HP OmniBook X Flip Laptop AI. I've been advised to pause Windows Update for at least a month until Microsoft resolves this problem, which I'm certain is of its own making. I've read all the potential solutions, and my question is "Why do I have to go to all this trouble, when Microsoft is clearly at fault?" Over the past months I have read all the Rah-rah propaganda from Microsoft about how Windows Update has been radically improved, and now this problem. I wish I had purchased the MacBook I'd been considering rather than the HP I bought.
Mallory Good 5 Reputation points

2026-08-27T23:41:34.4633333+00:00

I just wanted to add that I am having exactly the same issue, and went through almost exactly the same thing as @Rob
My previous laptop (HP Pavillion) died on me after many years. I decided it was about time to get a new laptop anyway. I purchased a brand-new HP Omnibook X Flip Laptop AI 14inch D31MHUA#ABA. It acted a bit weird upon setting it up, but I didn't think much of it, over the next two weeks it would regularly try to update. I would let it update and every time it went to restart or turn back on it would get stuck on the HP screen and then go into automatic repair. The last time it did it, it then actually tried to go into automatic repair and couldn't be repaired. I took it back to the store and luckily, they let me exchange for the same product - we chalked it up to a factory defect.

I'm now on my second, new laptop. It has tried to apply the update 2026-08 Security Update (KB5121003) (26200.9168) and upon restarting it got stuck on the HP logo and then went into the automatic repair cycle. Install error - 0x800f0845.

For now, I guess I'll just pause updates - but I have other updates, including drivers that need to be done, and I cannot do without trying to do this security update. Incredibly frustrating.
Angela R 0 Reputation points

2026-08-28T00:19:59.64+00:00

I had all the same issues. And I wondered if the latest security update was conflicting with something so I removed McAfee trial and made sure Window Defender was on and Defender did an update. I rebooted then tried to reinstall the Windows Security Update and it worked. Seems ok now.
AVINASH GODBOLE 0 Reputation points

2026-08-28T03:57:36.6733333+00:00

I also facing same problem Acer Aspire 7 16 GB RAM amd Ryzen 5. I tried all option not worked restore , reset not working finally clean installed and typing this comment after installation. still while starting showing black screen have to forcefully power off 2-3 time then its starts
Supermalon 0 Reputation points

2026-08-28T18:45:11.3866667+00:00

exact same issue here, also with omnibook x flip
Subramanian, Sri Satya 5 Reputation points

2026-08-31T00:03:08.65+00:00

I would like to report an issue with Windows Security Update KB5121003, build 26200.9168.

The update downloaded and started installing normally. However, after the laptop restarted to complete the installation, it remained stuck on the HP restart screen for more than 30 minutes without completing the reboot.

Because there was no visible progress, I eventually performed a forced shutdown.

When I turned the laptop back on, Windows entered Automatic Repair. It then displayed the message:

“Something didn’t go as planned. No need to worry, undoing changes. Please keep your computer on.”

Windows subsequently rolled back the update. After the system recovered, Windows Update history showed KB5121003 as failed.

This is concerning because KB5121003 is a Windows security update, and the installation process resulted in a prolonged restart, forced shutdown, Automatic Repair, and rollback.

Please investigate the installation failure associated with KB5121003 and provide guidance on whether affected users should retry the update, pause it temporarily, or wait for a corrected release
Robert R 10 Reputation points

2026-08-31T20:02:22.2633333+00:00

@Subramanian, Sri Satya The exact same thing happened to me several times. I've been advised to pause updates until Microsoft resolves the issue, but there's been no word yet. Most of the comments I've seen elsewhere talk about gaming issues, but nothing so far about HP screens going black after restarting.

Answer 1

John DeV 169.7K Independent Advisor

Based on the reports in this thread, it appears that other users are experiencing similar installation issues with KB5121003, particularly on some HP systems. Since you have already tried the recommended troubleshooting steps, I recommend reporting the issue through the Feedback Hub app so Microsoft can investigate and collect additional diagnostic data.

For now, you can also pause Windows Updates for up to one week and check again later for a newer update or a Microsoft-provided fix.

0 comments

Answer 2

KP 0

I had the same issue with my Omnibook X 14 inch model 14-KC0013DX . HP support had me boot to bios screen (from power off, touch power button once then hit function 10 until the bios screen comes up), then hit function 9 to load default bios settings, click yes, function 10 and yes to save and exit. Was able to install the 2026 08 preview update (KB5120998) (26200.9278) which cleared out all pending updates. KB5121003 now no longer appears in my queue. HP said KB5121003 corrupted the bios settings which was causing the problem.

0 comments

Answer 3

Sean 5

I am with an MSP and I have users from different companies reporting the same issue. Whatever steps you may think will fix it, do not. Everything has been tried except a wipe/reinstall. These computers are not HP either, but Lenovo and Dell. August Windows Updates seem to be broken and hopefully it will get fixed by Microsoft.

0 comments

Answer 4

Igor 10

I’m having the same issue on a brand-new HP OmniBook X Flip 16 (16-cc0013dx) with:

AMD Ryzen AI 5 430
16 GB RAM
512 GB SSD
Windows 11 25H2

The problem happens specifically when installing 2026-08 Security Update KB5121003 (26200.9168).

Igor 10 Reputation points

2026-08-28T23:43:19.85+00:00

Hi everyone. Just wanted to share an update in case it helps anyone experiencing the same issue.

I returned the affected laptop and exchanged it for another identical HP OmniBook X Flip 16 (16-cc0013dx).

During the initial Windows setup on the replacement unit, Windows started downloading updates automatically right after I selected the language. This time, I cancelled the automatic update process.

After Windows setup was complete, I went to Settings → Windows Update, downloaded the available updates manually, and installed them one at a time.

I also installed KB5121003 (26200.9168) separately, and this time it installed successfully without getting stuck or causing the black-screen/boot issue I experienced on the previous laptop.

I can't say for sure whether installing the updates individually made the difference or whether the first laptop simply had some other issue, but so far the replacement laptop is working normally with KB5121003 (26200.9168) installed.

Hopefully this helps anyone running into the same problem.

Answer 5

Since DISM, the Windows Update repair option, and manual installation were already tried, the remaining supported steps are:

Check free space on the system drive.
- Windows needs at least 16 GB free for a 32-bit OS or 20 GB for a 64-bit OS to upgrade.
Temporarily remove any third-party antivirus or security software.
- This can block updates.
- Make sure reinstall information and any product keys are available before uninstalling.
Update third-party drivers from the laptop manufacturer.
- Since the system hangs during reboot at the HP logo, an incompatible driver is a known cause of update failures.
- Check HP’s support site for updated drivers and installation instructions, then try Windows Update again.
Run Windows Update again after those checks.
- Go to Start > Settings > Windows Update > Check for updates.
If the update still fails, reset the Windows Update components.
- Warning: these are advanced command-line steps and require administrator permissions.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator and run these commands one at a time:

net stop bits
net stop wuauserv
ren %systemroot%\softwaredistribution softwaredistribution.bak
ren %systemroot%\system32\catroot2 catroot2.bak
net start bits
net start wuauserv

Then restart the PC.

Check the drive for file-system errors.
- Open Command Prompt as administrator and run:

chkdsk /f C:

Restart when prompted.

Perform a clean restart of Windows.
- A clean restart starts Windows with minimal drivers and startup programs and can help identify software conflicts that block updates.
If the device keeps entering repair/rollback after every attempt, use Windows Recovery Environment options.
- Boot into Automatic Repair.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Try System Restore first if available.
- If that is unavailable, try Startup Repair.
- If recovery options do not resolve it, Reset this PC with Keep my files is the next supported path.

The provided material does not confirm that Microsoft has acknowledged a specific issue with KB5121003 or that a fix is in progress.

References: