I saw this with a Dell Alienware x14. In both instances, it appeared that the problem was caused by an automated Windows update that triggered a reboot, during which BIOS decided to prompt the user before allowing booting to proceed. My theory is that power management software is not loaded at this stage, so the CPU remains running at full speed.
In one case, the BIOS screen that prevented booting was a warning screen that comes up when the laptop is attached to a charger that supplies less than 90W (!) ... for example, the charger built into the USB-C external monitor it was connected to. That's funny, I thought ... my MacBook can boot when it's not even connected to any charger at all! Actually, the Alienware will boot without a charger also, but complains self-righteously when connected to a 60W charger. Eventually I found a BIOS setting that appears to disable this behavior.
In another case, there was an unrelated BIOS warning screen. I forget now what it was, but on a second attempt the reboot completed without any warning.
Both cases resulted in a disturbingly hot computer.
I could not find a way to disable automatic Windows updates.
Yeah whenever my Dell XPS 15 turned into an inferno, it was basically the same (not surprising given they’re the same manufacturer).
Windows update triggered while the laptop was sleeping, went to BIOS where the device ran full throttle, and I’d find it just sitting there while being scalding hot.
That was the last windows laptop I bothered owning. Other than maybe the ThinkPad line, the XPS line was the closest I could get to a MacBook Pro in build quality, yet I had tons of other issues like audio buzzing, swelling batteries, trackpad issues and just generally, a very plastic build quality.
The one thing I do really miss though is the touch screen. I know it’s divisive but there’s something just nice in being able to touch the thing I want vs navigating to it via a proxy device.
In one case, the BIOS screen that prevented booting was a warning screen that comes up when the laptop is attached to a charger that supplies less than 90W (!) ... for example, the charger built into the USB-C external monitor it was connected to. That's funny, I thought ... my MacBook can boot when it's not even connected to any charger at all! Actually, the Alienware will boot without a charger also, but complains self-righteously when connected to a 60W charger. Eventually I found a BIOS setting that appears to disable this behavior.
In another case, there was an unrelated BIOS warning screen. I forget now what it was, but on a second attempt the reboot completed without any warning.
Both cases resulted in a disturbingly hot computer.
I could not find a way to disable automatic Windows updates.