You don't have to update your system BIOS too often, but it's crucial to know how to do it correctly when you do. A lot could go wrong while updating your motherboard BIOS, but it's nothing to be nervous about. Overall, it is a fairly simple process, and you'll have no trouble updating it as long as you know what you are doing and pay close attention to the steps to complete this task carefully.
Before you update BIOSBefore starting the update, there are a few important things you need to do, and it all starts with checking your current BIOS version.
Check your current BIOS versionIt is important to ensure the BIOS update you are about to apply is needed because, unlike regular updates to software programs or even the operating systems, updating the BIOS is more of a troubleshooting step than anything. It's only recommended if the new BIOS version adds some missing features, or fixes a bug or a security flaw. So check the current BIOS version and compare it with the newer one available to see what's new and how it will improve your current system. To do that:
1. Press the Start button on Windows, type msinfo32, and click on System Information.2. Locate the BIOS version number in the System Summary pane to find what BIOS version you are using.Now that you've identified your BIOS version, compare it to the current version number listed on the motherboard manufacturer's website. Attempt the BIOS update only if/when a new version is available that fixes a bug or improves your system with some important features.
Precautions to take before you begin•
Back up your data: If you haven't backed up your system in a while, now would be a good time to do so. It's never a bad time to back up your system data, but it's always best to do it before you perform a crucial and risky operation like a BIOS update.
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Make sure your computer won't turn off during the update: The last thing you want to do is end up with a corrupted BIOS, so please ensure that you've plugged your computer into a power backup source like a UPS so it stays on during the update. Laptop users are recommended to keep the device plugged into the wall until the update is finished.
How to update the BIOS1. Head to your motherboard manufacturer's website (in our case, we're using a Gigabyte motherboard), and find the
support or the
download page.
2.
Enter your motherboard details in the search bar.
3.
Select BIOS from the list of software and utilities.
4.
Download the latest available version after comparing it with your existing BIOS version.
5. Extract the contents of that file using a compression software like WinRAR, and copy its contents into a USB thumb drive.
6.
Reboot your system and
enter the BIOS screen by pressing the appropriate key while your computer boots. Delete and F2 are some common BIOS keys, but the correct key which is specific to your motherboard will be displayed on the screen during the boot.
7.
Locate BIOS or UEFI flashing tool, which is also often listed as the
Q-Flash tool.
8. (Optional) Back up your existing motherboard BIOS firmware and save it onto a USB drive. You may or may not see this option on your motherboard, so ignore it if you don't.
9. Select the
new BIOS firmware that you downloaded earlier to begin the update.
10. Press
Yes on the confirmation box to proceed.
11.
Reboot your computer after flashing the new BIOS, and you'll see that your PC now has the updated BIOS.
Does your motherboard support BIOS Flashback?Update your BIOS with only a USB stick insteadFlagship motherboards have long been able to use BIOS Flashback, which means you don't have to boot into the BIOS to update the firmware. You don't even have to plug in a CPU or any other hardware, just a couple of power cables to the motherboard's 24-pin and 8-pin CPU sockets. This is becoming more common on midrange motherboards as well, and it's worth adding to your list of desired features the next time you build a PC. It can often repair bad flashes and update your motherboard to use the latest CPUs without needing to have an older CPU installed first.
The process is similar for every motherboard manufacturer, with a few minor deviations that will be mentioned. We're using an MSI Z690 Unify-X for these steps, but the same things to look for are common to every other motherboard with BIOS Flashback capability.
1. Download the latest BIOS file from the support page of your motherboard.
2. Rename the BIOS file according to the manufacturer's requirements. MSI wants it renamed to
MSI.ROM. ASRock says to use
CREATIVE.ROM, while Gigabyte says to use
GIGABYTE.bin. ASUS includes a BIOSRenamer tool in the downloaded ZIP file that will rename the BIOS file.
3. Transfer the renamed BIOS file to a USB flash drive formatted as FAT32.
4. Plug the USB drive with the renamed BIOS file into the marked USB port on the back of the motherboard.
5. Plug in the
24-pin motherboard and
8-pin EPS/CPU cables.
6. Press the
BIOS Flashback button briefly until the LED starts flashing. Once finished, the LED will turn off.
7. Remove the USB drive.
Now, you can install your CPU if you haven't done so and finish building your PC. The other thing to note about BIOS Flashback is that, even if the power gets interrupted, you can restart the process, and it should complete the update without an issue. That makes it safer than any other process of BIOS updating, and why I won't buy a motherboard without it.
Do a quick checkupAnd that's how easy it is to update your motherboard's BIOS. We recommend checking your PC's functions for abnormalities to ensure everything works as intended. You can always downgrade and return to the older BIOS version by downloading it from the manufacturer's website and following the steps highlighted above to flash it. As you can tell, the entire process is fairly simple; all you really need to do is just be careful while following the steps.
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