Systems Stuck on a Black Screen with the Keyboard Backlight on During Reboot After a Windows 11 25H2 Update

Summary: Learn what to do if your Dell system becomes stuck on a black screen with the keyboard backlight on after restarting following a Windows 11 25H2 update (build 26200.8246, 26200.8328, or 26200.8457). ...

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Symptoms

After installing certain Windows 11 25H2 cumulative updates 26200.8246, 26200.8328, or 26200.8457 with Dell Optimizer 6.3.1, your Dell system may fail to complete a restart and become stuck on a black screen with the keyboard backlight illuminated. The system does not progress past this screen and requires a forced shutdown to recover.

Affected Microsoft Hotfix:

  • KB5083631 (26200.8246)
  • KB5083769 (26200.8328)
  • KB5089549 (26200.8457)

Affected Application:

  • Dell Optimizer 6.3.1

Affected Systems:

  • Alienware 16 Area-51 AA16250
  • Alienware 18 Area-51 AA18250
  • Alienware 16 Aurora AC16250
  • Alienware 16X Aurora AC16251
  • Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 DB04250
  • Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 DB04255
  • Dell 14 Plus DB14250
  • Dell 14 Plus DB14255
  • Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 DB06250
  • Dell 16 Plus DB16250
  • Dell 16 Plus DB16255
  • Dell Pro 5 14 P514260
  • Dell Pro 7 13 2-in-1 P703260
  • Dell Pro 7 14 2-in-1 P704260
  • Dell Pro 7 13 P713260
  • Dell Pro 7 14 P714260
  • Dell Pro 13 Plus PB13250
  • Dell Pro 14 Plus PB14250
  • Dell Pro 16 Plus PB16250
  • Dell Pro 13 Premium PA13250
  • Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250
  • Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14260
  • Dell Pro Precision 5 14S PW514260
  • Dell Pro Precision 5 16S PW516260
  • Dell Pro Rugged 10 Tablets
  • Dell Pro Rugged 12 Tablet
  • XPS 13 9350

Cause

Dell Engineers are aware of this issue, and it has been reported to Microsoft. Symptom finds a BitLocker driver triggered a kernel data flush deadlock stalls shutdown and blocks display. This issue is under investigation.

Resolution

Use the steps below to recover from the black screen and prevent the issue from recurring.

Recover from the Black Screen.

  • Press and hold the Power Button for 10 seconds to force the system to shut down.
  • Press the Power Button again to turn the system back on and allow it to boot into Windows.

Option 1:
Perform a reboot and keep the system powered on in Windows for more than 6 minutes (Do Not reboot system within 6 mins.)

Option 2:
Set the Dell.TechHub service to Automatic (Delayed start.)

  1. Press Win+R, then input services.msc, and press the Enter button.
  2. Double-click Dell TechHub, for the startup type choose Automatic (Delayed start.)
  3. Press Apply and the OK button.
    Windows Services, Dell TechHub Example

Affected Products

Alienware 16 Area-51 AA16250, Alienware 18 Area-51 AA18250, Alienware 16 Aurora AC16250, Alienware 16X Aurora AC16251, Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 DB04250, Dell 14 Plus 2-in-1 DB04255, Dell 16 Plus 2-in-1 DB06250, Dell 14 Plus DB14250, Dell 14 Plus DB14255 , Dell 16 Plus DB16250, Dell 16 Plus DB16255, Dell Pro 5 14 P514260, Dell Pro 7 13 2-in-1 P703260, Dell Pro 7 14 2-in-1 P704260, Dell Pro 7 13 P713260, Dell Pro 7 14 P714260, Dell Pro 13 Premium PA13250, Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250, Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14260, Dell Pro 13 Plus PB13250, Dell Pro 14 Plus PB14250, Dell Pro 16 Plus PB16250, Dell Pro Precision 5 14S PW514260, Dell Pro Precision 5 16S PW516260, Dell Pro Rugged 10 Tablet RA00260, Dell Pro Rugged 12 Tablet RA02260, XPS 13 9350 ...
Article Properties
Article Number: 000464533
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 03 Jul 2026
Version:  12
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