A firmware update shouldn't take more then 5-10 minutes at the most, and in a lot of cases won't even take that long. If you are still stuck at this screen then you may have no choice but to power cycle it and cross your fingers that it still starts up. Interrupting a BIOS flash is a very dangerous procedure and should never be done if you can prevent it by any other means, but if your stuck indefinitely at this screen then you won't have much choice. Answer from MogRules on reddit.com
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Asktech
asktech.support › laptop › r2v5d-alienware-laptop-stuck-working-update-0-complete.html
Alienware laptop is stuck on "working on update 0% complete don't turn off your computer" screen, it has made absolutely
January 20, 2025 - We're an independent professional services platform that connects users with verified professionals for expert guidance, advice, and solutions. It seems your Alienware 17 R3 laptop is stuck on the "working on update 0% complete" screen for approximately 2 hours without any progress.
Discussions

m17 R3, BIOS update taking forever
I just received my new Alienware m17 R3 laptop and started the process of downloading/installing all the updates. The Windows updates seem to have installed properly, but when I go to the Alienware... More on dell.com
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July 24, 2022
Alienware laptop stuck atfirmware update
Laptop has been stuck in "update oem ec block"with 100 percent progress bar for an hour, doesn't really know what to do. Please help. More on learn.microsoft.com
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m17 R3, system update stuck
Help, it has been stuck on here like this for 3 hours and 20 minutes! More on dell.com
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8
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July 24, 2022
Is the bios update supposed to take a long time?
Your not supposed to restart the pc during bios update. You may have bricked it. Can you get into bios after restarting? More on reddit.com
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November 18, 2020
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Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › alienware
x15 R2, System Update taking too long - Alienware
September 24, 2022 - I searched for online solutions, they said to remove the charger until the battery is drained and the system shuts down then turn it on again, it will work fine then go to support assist and update it from there.
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Dell
dell.com › support › kbdoc › en-us › 000275742 › bios-update-error-or-update-gets-stuck-on-windows-24h2
BIOS Update Error or Update Gets Stuck After Windows January 2025 Update | Dell US
This article provides information about a BIOS update error or gets stuck on computers running Windows January 2025 updates or later.
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Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › alienware
m17 R3, BIOS update taking forever | DELL Technologies
July 24, 2022 - UPDATE: With great trepidation, I went ahead and shut down/restarted my computer, even though the Alienware Update application was indicating that it was still running the update process. I'm happy to report that my computer did come back up without any sort of error - no BSOD, no "your computer was shut down improperly", etc. Everything appears to be working normally.
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Microsoft Learn
learn.microsoft.com › en-us › answers › questions › 3946263 › alienware-laptop-stuck-atfirmware-update
Alienware laptop stuck atfirmware update - Microsoft Q&A
Laptop has been stuck in "update oem ec block"with 100 percent progress bar for an hour, doesn't really know what to do. Please help.
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Dell
dell.com › support › kbdoc › en-us › 000225126 › alienware-command-center-version-6-2-7-error-update-button-fails-to-start-upgrade-process
Alienware Command Center Version 6.2.7 Error - Update Button Fails to Start Upgrade Process | Dell US
Ensure that Alienware Command Center is selected in the list of programs to install. Click Install. It may take at least 10 to 17 minutes to complete the download and install the new application.
Find elsewhere
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Alienware Arena
alienwarearena.com › ucf › show › 245025 › boards › technical-support-1 › ForumPost › at-boot-updating-your-system-stuck-please-help
Alienwarearena
Join and gain access to exclusive in-game items, game keys, and some of the most sought after closed betas. Join a friendly and knowledgeable forum community for all PC gamers.
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Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › alienware
m15 R1, Alienware Update stuck in an operation | DELL Technologies
August 28, 2020 - If Alienware Update continues to be stuck in an operation, your OS C: disk may have errors or corrupted files. Open a command prompt and run a "chkdsk /f /r /x" (that's /f for "fix", /r for "relocate" data from bad sectors, /x for "eXit windows".
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Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › alienware
X15 R2, AWCC update stuck at 70% then fails | DELL Technologies
September 9, 2023 - After a reboot, i installed the latest version of AWCC using "Alienware-Command-Center-Application_69JY1_WIN_5.5.51.0_A00" and it ran flawlessly! Non I have my thermal, FX and OC controls back. AWCC now works!
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Thanks for your reply! Last night I decided to unplug the ac adapters (Area 51 has two of them) and let the battery die. I can’t say for sure what exactly happened but an hour or two later in desperation I tried holding the power button down for two minutes straight… I had done this before several times… still no effect… but then about one minute after I had stopped holding the power button down it shut down on its own. Not sure what did it… maybe finally ran out of battery? I plugged it back in and booted again and it took me to a screen with the Alienware logo at the top saying 'battery has been disable' (yes it actually did say 'disable' instead of 'disabled') and then something about the battery being overheated. From this portal I was able to run a system scan and it found no problems. I restarted again this time tapping F2 and confirmed that battery and ac adapter were functioning properly… then rebooted and it came up with a screen saying it was finishing windows update… after that it booted normally and seems fully functional. Not sure exactly what fixed it but my best guess is battery finally died… I hope this helps someone who might finds themselves in the same situation.  JD
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Hi @Johnny Dixon , I got you so its no problem. I had the same issue when my dads AREA 51M was doing a BIOS Update and he closed the lid during it and that must've corrupted something because it wasn't turning off. I spent 2 hours diagnosing and fixing it to come out with the solution: unscrew all the screws attaching the laptops bottom panel where the fan is and use a suction cup to pull it out gently. Then even though the laptop IS on still unplug the battery connector from the motherboard. DONT REMOVE THE BATTERY, just unplug it. Then the laptop should shut off and then you need to hold the power button for 30 seconds. Then hold CTRL+ ESC while your plugging the battery back in and the laptop should boot!
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Tom's Guide
forums.tomsguide.com › home › laptops › laptop tech support
Solved! - My Alienware laptop won’t update or start up | Tom's Guide Forum
December 25, 2018 - I got an Alienware laptop from my brother for Christmas and when I try to start it up it has me enter country language and time zone then I connect to the Wifi and it starts an update but it’s been updating for 5 hours and if I leave it open I just turns off after so long and then restarts the update. What do I do? ... Try this... 1. Turn off the laptop. 2. Turn off your WiFi, or take the laptop to an area where there isn't any WiFi.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/alienware › does anyone know how to fix this? it’s been doing this for 30+ mins
r/Alienware on Reddit: Does anyone know how to fix this? It’s been doing this for 30+ mins
November 20, 2021 - This kind of proves you don't really understand how HD's and windows update loops work. The reason it locks up is because of a conflict in the systems current BIOS, not really anything to do with windows or another system's different bios setup.
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Reddit
reddit.com › r/alienware › alienware update and supportassist no longer working.
r/Alienware on Reddit: Alienware Update and SupportAssist no longer working.
March 16, 2023 -

Alienware M15 R4 - Over the last few days, I’ve had issues with Alienware Update and Support Assist.

I am now getting this error with Alienware Update:

https://i.imgur.com/q1Q8Hs0.jpg

Basically, it will not perform a scan. The only changes I’ve done were the Windows 11 March update a few days back and the upgrade to the 1.16.2 BIOS update. I have tried reverting it back to the 1.15 BIOS, but it still does the same thing.

Also, SupportAssist no longer works. When I try to run any of the options (driver update, hardware check, clean files, etc), it kicks back an error basically saying it can’t continue because another process is running. This has been going on longer than the Alienware Update issue, which only seemed to start today.

I have also fully uninstalled both programs using Revo Uninstaller Pro AND even deleted all leftover files. I have since re-installed Alienware Update and it still does it. I have not yet re-installed Support Assist. Figured if the Alienware Update wasn’t fixed, then neither would Support Assist. 🤷‍♂️

Alienware Update runs on my R13 Desktop just fine. So I know it’s not a server issue or anything…both systems are on V 4.8.0.

Thanks in advance for any help on this!

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Reddit
reddit.com › r › Alienware › comments › 1fqbh5x › is_it_normal_for_updates_to_take_so_long
Is it normal for updates to take so long? : r/Alienware
September 27, 2024 - I’ve bought this brand new M16 and went to the dell website to install the bios updates. Now it’s been 15-20 minutes and the laptop it’s still showing this message. Is it normal · Anyone can view, post, and comment to this community
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Dell
dell.com › dell community › desktops › alienware desktops
Aurora R10, BIOS update stuck in Alienware Update app | DELL Technologies
August 19, 2021 - OK guys, I just closed the Alienware Update app. Good luck to myself. ... I had the same problem, and I ended up using the manual updater. What I would suggest is close the auto updater when it hangs, not reboot, and run the manual bios updater.