How to Resolve Dell SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check Issues

Dell SupportAssist is designed to alert users about potential hardware problems; however, encountering a freeze on the Pre-Boot System Performance Check screen can hinder Windows from starting. This is a frequent issue for many Dell PC owners, even when their hardware appears to be functioning properly!

If you find yourself stuck on the Dell SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check, it’s essential to identify which hardware component is currently being examined for issues. For hard drives, disconnect any external drives, and for the CPU fan, verify that all connections are secure and clean of dust buildup.

What steps can I take when the Dell SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check is frozen?

1. Perform a power reset on the device

A straightforward method to resolve the Pre-Boot System Performance Check freeze is to perform a power (hard) reset on your Dell device.

• For a Dell desktop computer: power it off > unplug the power cord from both the computer and the wall socket > press and hold the Power button for 30 to 60 seconds > reconnect the power cable > switch on the computer > check if the issue persists.
• For a Dell laptop: turn it off > take out the battery > hold the Power button for 30 seconds to discharge any remaining power > reinsert the battery > power up the laptop > see if the problem is resolved.

2. Reset the BIOS settings

1. Press the power button to turn off the PC on the Pre-Boot System Performance Check screen.
2. Restart the PC and, as soon as the display lights up, repeatedly hit the F12 key to enter the BIOS menu.
3. In BIOS, click on Load Defaults located at the bottom.
   

   

4. Select the BIOS Defaults option and click OK.
   

   

5. Respond appropriately in the confirmation prompt to proceed.

In about 60% of cases, users found that incorrectly configured BIOS settings were responsible for the Dell SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check being stuck, and resetting the BIOS to its default settings resolved the issue quickly!

3. Update the BIOS firmware

If resetting the BIOS does not work, it is possible that a glitch in the current BIOS version is causing the Pre-Boot System Performance Check to malfunction. To address this, you should consider updating the BIOS. Since the steps can differ among models, it’s best to consult Dell’s official website for precise instructions!

If there isn’t an updated BIOS version available, reflashing the existing version may also help eliminate the problem!

4. Toggle Secure Boot settings or activate Audit mode

• Power on the computer, and once the screen illuminates, press the F12 key to enter the BIOS settings.
• Navigate to the Boot Configuration tab and toggle the Secure Boot option to either enable or disable it, effectively reversing the current setup.
  

  

• Save your changes, exit the BIOS, boot your PC normally, and check if the Dell SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check continues to stall.

If altering the Secure Boot setting doesn’t resolve the issue, try switching it to Audit Mode. Many users have successfully managed to bypass the Dell SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check by making this adjustment!

5. Disable Dell Reliable Memory Technology in BIOS

For a significant number of users, disabling Dell Reliable Memory Technology (RMT) provided a solution. You can find this setting under the Performance section within the BIOS.

After making any changes, be sure to save and restart your PC!

6. Turn off the Dell SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check

If all else fails, the final resort is to disable the Dell SupportAssist’s Pre-Boot System Performance Check at startup. This will prevent it from freezing, allowing Windows to boot up immediately when you power on the PC!

To turn off the Pre-Boot System Performance Check, enter the Dell system’s BIOS > navigate to the SupportAssist System Resolution tab on the left > uncheck the box for SupportAssist OS Recovery > save your changes and exit the BIOS.

Going forward, you should no longer encounter the Dell SupportAssist Pre-Boot System Performance Check freezing up on your laptop. However, it’s worth noting that I don’t advise turning it off, as it can help identify hardware failures early on. Yet, if you’ve exhausted all other options, this may be the only solution left!

If you have any questions, or would like to share additional tips with our community, feel free to leave a comment below.

Author: Egor Kostenko

My goal is to make complex technical topics simple and accessible. On this site, I gather unique and useful content that not only solves users’ problems but also helps them better understand the capabilities of Windows.