Table of contents
- Key Takeaways
- How to Update BIOS Safely
- Check your current BIOS version
- Before you update: back up and secure power
- Easy Instructions for Updating BIOS
- Troubleshooting a BIOS update
- Why updating BIOS is worth the effort
- Update BIOS across your inventory with Syncro
- Frequently Asked Questions About Updating BIOS
Key Takeaways
- To update BIOS: check your current version with msinfo32, download the exact update for your motherboard or system model from the manufacturer, copy it to a FAT32 USB drive, then flash it from the BIOS/UEFI menu or the vendor’s Windows utility.
- Never interrupt a BIOS update. A power loss or forced restart mid-flash can corrupt the firmware and leave the machine unbootable.
- Only install the file that matches your exact model. The wrong update is the most common cause of a failed or bricked flash.
- Updating BIOS improves hardware compatibility, system stability, and firmware security, especially after adding new CPUs, memory, or GPUs.
- Related in this cluster: enable virtualization in BIOS and reduce memory usage.
How to Update BIOS Safely
To update your BIOS, check your current version with msinfo32, download the exact update for your motherboard or system model from the manufacturer’s site, copy it to a FAT32-formatted USB drive, then flash it from the BIOS/UEFI menu or the manufacturer’s Windows utility. Start to finish, it takes about 15 minutes.
The one rule that matters most: never interrupt the flash. A power loss or a forced restart during the update can corrupt the firmware and leave the device bricked, so secure power and let it finish.
This guide covers how to check your current version, prepare safely, run the update on any major brand, and recover if something goes wrong.
Check your current BIOS version
Knowing your version tells you whether an update applies and which file is correct. There are two quick ways to find it.
Method 1: Windows System Information
1. Open Run. Press Windows key + R.
2. Launch System Information. Type msinfo32 and press Enter.
3. Read the version. On System Summary, find BIOS Version/Date for the version number, date, and manufacturer.
Method 2: In the BIOS/UEFI screen
Restart and press the setup key during boot (commonly F2, Del, Esc, or F10, depending on the manufacturer). The version is usually shown on the Main or System Information tab. Exit without saving if you did not change anything.
BIOS vs UEFI
UEFI has replaced traditional BIOS on most modern systems and adds features like Secure Boot, but the update process is broadly the same. Many people still say “BIOS” for both.
Before you update: back up and secure power
Back up important data first, in case the update goes sideways. Then guarantee stable power for the whole flash: use a UPS for desktops, and for laptops charge the battery and keep the AC adapter connected. A power interruption is the fastest way to brick a board.
Easy Instructions for Updating BIOS
1. Locate your exact model. Find your motherboard or system model, then open its official support page. The right file must match your model exactly.
2. Read the manufacturer’s instructions. Flash methods differ by brand. Skim the vendor’s steps before you start so nothing surprises you.
3. Download to a FAT32 USB.Format a USB drive to FAT32, download the update (usually a ZIP), extract it, and copy the files to the drive.
4. Prep the system. Save open work and close applications. The machine will restart during the process.
5. Flash the firmware. Two common paths, depending on your brand:
- In-BIOS tool (most reliable): enter BIOS setup, open the update tool (for example ASUS EZ Flash), select the file from your USB, and follow the prompts.
- Vendor Windows app: tools like ASUS EZ Update, Dell Update, HP Support Assistant, MSI Center, or Lenovo System Update can download and apply updates from within Windows.
6. Finish and verify. Let the update complete on its own and do not force a restart while it is running. When it reboots, reopen msinfo32 or the BIOS screen to confirm the new version.
Troubleshooting a BIOS update
System will not boot after the update
Clear CMOS with the reset jumper or by removing the board battery to restore defaults. Many boards also have a recovery mode or a second BIOS chip (BIOS Flashback or Dual BIOS) that can roll back a bad flash. Check your manual.
System freezes during the update
If there is any sign of activity, like a blinking USB light, let it run. If nothing changes after 30 to 60 minutes, contact the manufacturer’s support rather than forcing a reboot.
Firmware mismatch error
Confirm the file matches your exact model and download the correct version from the official site.
Why updating BIOS is worth the effort
BIOS updates add support for new CPUs, memory, and GPUs, stabilize systems that crash or reboot under load, and patch firmware-level security holes. If you are about to enable virtualization in BIOS or chase down a performance issue while you reduce memory usage, updating firmware first rules out a stale-BIOS cause.
Update BIOS across your inventory with Syncro
Flashing one machine is simple; keeping firmware current across hundreds is not. Syncro’s patch management and endpoint management let IT teams and MSPs push firmware and driver updates on a schedule and track compliance across every managed device from one dashboard, so no endpoint quietly falls behind.
Frequently Asked Questions About Updating BIOS
Press Windows key + R, type msinfo32, press Enter, and read BIOS Version/Date under System Summary. You can also see it on the Main or System Information tab inside the BIOS/UEFI screen.
Yes, if you install the correct file for your exact model and never interrupt the flash. The main risk is a power loss or forced restart mid-update, so use a UPS or a charged laptop on AC power.
The firmware can be left corrupted and the device may not boot, a state known as bricked. Many boards can recover through a second BIOS chip or a flashback feature, but not all can, which is why stable power matters.
About 15 minutes for most systems, including downloading the file and verifying the version afterward. The actual flash usually takes only a couple of minutes.
Not automatically. Update when you need a specific fix: new hardware support, a stability or security patch, or a vendor-recommended release. If nothing is broken and no update is advised, you can wait.
Often yes. Vendor Windows utilities such as Dell Update or HP Support Assistant can flash from within Windows, and some boards support updating directly over the internet from the BIOS screen.
Try clearing CMOS, then use the board’s recovery mode, BIOS Flashback, or Dual BIOS to restore a working version. If the board has no recovery path, contact the manufacturer.
They avoid touching each machine by hand and instead push firmware updates on a schedule through a central platform, then report on which endpoints are compliant. Syncro handles this through patch and endpoint management.
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