BIOS Update
Updating the BIOS can add hardware support, security fixes, and stability improvements. An outdated BIOS can also hide settings such as Resizable BAR on supported systems.
This guide walks through the full process in order: identify your board, download the correct file, prepare a USB drive, flash the firmware, then restore the settings you care about.
What you need
- A USB drive, preferably under 32 GB
- Drives larger than 32 GB often cannot be formatted as FAT32 with Windows alone. Use the FAT32Format GUI tool if needed.
- Up to one hour for download, preparation, and flashing
- A stable power source. Use a UPS on desktops when possible, and keep laptops on AC power.
Before you start
A BIOS update usually resets saved settings and may clear saved profiles. Export or write down any profiles and custom values you rely on before continuing.
Each manufacturer uses a different support site layout. The steps below are general. If you get stuck, search for a guide for your exact board model and revision.
Step 1: Identify your motherboard and current BIOS
You need the exact motherboard model, revision when possible, and the BIOS version already installed.
Option A: HWiNFO
- Download HWiNFO, open it, choose Sensors-only, then click Start.
- Open the Motherboard section and note:
- Motherboard name
- BIOS Date or version string
Example:
- Motherboard: MSI MPG B550 GAMING CARBON WIFI
- BIOS date: 10/12/2023
Option B: PowerShell search shortcut
Run this in PowerShell or Terminal to open a Google search for the motherboard product name reported by Windows:
Start-Process "https://www.google.com/search?q=$(Get-WmiObject Win32_BaseBoard | Select-Object -ExpandProperty Product | ForEach-Object { [uri]::EscapeDataString($_) })"Add support, BIOS, or drivers to the search if the first results are not the official page.
Option C: System Information
- Press Win+R, type
msinfo32, and press Enter. - Note BaseBoard Product and BIOS Version/Date.
Compare the result from every method you use. Prebuilt PCs may show an OEM board name such as 0RY6N7 instead of a retail model. In that case, search by the PC model or serial number on the vendor support site.
Step 2: Download the correct BIOS file
- Open the official support page for your motherboard or prebuilt system.
- Open Drivers & Downloads, Support, or BIOS.
- Match the board name carefully. Wi-Fi, non-Wi-Fi, and revision-specific boards often use different files.
- Compare the latest release date on the site with the version shown in HWiNFO or System Information.
- If you are already on the newest build, stop here and check again later.
Step 3: Choose the right update method
| Method | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| UEFI flash tool | Most desktop boards | Safest default. Flash from the built-in BIOS utility with a FAT32 USB drive. |
| Windows flash utility | Some ASUS, MSI, and Gigabyte boards | Only use the file from the official support page. Close background apps and stay on AC power. |
| OEM update package | Dell, HP, Lenovo, and similar prebuilts | Follow the vendor tool or capsule instructions. Do not use a retail-board BIOS on an OEM system. |
Prefer the UEFI method when both UEFI and Windows tools are available.
Step 4: Prepare the USB drive
- Download the BIOS package and extract the ZIP archive.
- Read the
README,how to flash, or PDF in the package before copying files. - Run any included rename or preparation tool if the manufacturer requires it.
- Back up anything on the USB drive, then format it as FAT32.
- Copy only the files the manufacturer specifies, such as a
.CAP,.ROM,.BIN, or EFI folder, to the root of the USB drive unless the guide says otherwise.
Step 5: Enter the firmware setup
Restart the PC and press the firmware key while the manufacturer logo appears.
| Manufacturer / system | Common firmware key | Common in-UEFI flash tool |
|---|---|---|
| ASUS | Del or F2 | ASUS EZ Flash in Advanced → Tools |
| MSI | Del | M-Flash on the main EZ Mode screen or advanced menu |
| Gigabyte | Del | Q-Flash in the BIOS menu or via the boot splash option |
| ASRock | F2 or Del | Instant Flash in the Tool tab |
| Biostar | Del | BIOS Update or UEFI Update in the BIOS menu |
| Dell | F2 or F12 | BIOS Flash Update in the vendor firmware menu |
| HP | Esc then F10 | System Firmware or vendor update flow |
| Lenovo | F1, F2, or Fn+F2 | BIOS Update in the vendor firmware menu |
Switch to Advanced Mode when the firmware offers Easy and Advanced layouts.
Step 6: Flash the BIOS
- Open the manufacturer flash tool listed in the table above.
- Select the prepared USB drive and the BIOS file shown in the package.
- Confirm the file matches your exact board model and revision.
- Start the update and wait until the system reboots on its own.
- Do not power off, sleep, or unplug the system during the progress bar.
If the update fails or the PC no longer boots, follow the manufacturer recovery steps for BIOS flashback, dual BIOS, or USB recovery before trying again.
Step 7: Restore settings after the update
- Enter the firmware setup again after the first reboot.
- Load Optimized Defaults, Setup Defaults, or Restore Defaults.
- Re-enable the settings you need:
- XMP on Intel or EXPO/DOCP on AMD for memory training
- Resizable BAR when CPU, board, and GPU support it
- Boot order, fan curves, and any custom voltage or clock profiles you wrote down earlier
- Save changes and boot into Windows.
- Confirm the new BIOS version in HWiNFO or System Information.
Skipping XMP/EXPO/DOCP after an update is a common reason memory runs below its rated speed.