A step-by-step guide to updating your motherboard to the latest BIOS

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You don't need to update your system BIOS all that often, but it's important to know how to do it correctly when you do. A lot can go wrong when updating your motherboard's BIOS, but it's nothing to worry about. Overall, it's a fairly simple process and you won't have any problems updating as long as you know what you're doing and follow the steps carefully to complete this task carefully.



Before updating the BIOS

Before you start updating, there are a few important things you need to do. First, you need to check your current BIOS version.

Check your current BIOS version

It is important to make sure that the BIOS update you want to apply is really necessary because unlike regular updates of software programs or even operating systems, BIOS update is more of a troubleshooting step than anything else. It is only recommended if the new BIOS version adds missing features or fixes a bug or security vulnerability. So, check the current BIOS version and compare it with the newer version available to see what is new and how it improves your current system. To do so, follow these steps:

  1. Press the Start button On Windows, enter msinfo32and click on System information.
    An image showing the System Information option highlighted in the Start menu.

  2. Search for the BIOS version number in the System overview to find out which BIOS version you are using.
    An image showing the BIOS version highlighted in the System Information section.


Once you have determined your BIOS version, compare it with the current version number on the motherboard manufacturer's website. Only attempt the BIOS update if a new version is available that fixes a bug or improves your system with some important features.

Precautions before starting

  • Back up your data: If you haven't backed up your system in a while, now would be a good time to do so. There's never a bad time to back up your system data, but it's always best to do so before performing an important and risky operation like a BIOS update.
  • Make sure your computer is not turned off during the update: The last thing you want is a corrupted BIOS, so make sure you have connected your computer to a backup power source such as a UPS so that it stays on during the update. Laptop users are advised to keep the device plugged into the wall until the update is complete.


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How to update BIOS

Since different motherboards use different utilities and procedures for BIOS updates, the steps highlighted below may be slightly different for you depending on your motherboard.

  1. Go to your motherboard manufacturer’s website (in our case we are using a Gigabyte motherboard) and search for Support or the download Page.
    An image showing the highlighted support and download pages on the Gigabyte website.

  2. Enter your motherboard details in the search bar.
    An image showing the highlighted search bar with the motherboard name.

  3. Select BIOS from the list of software and utilities.
    An image showing the highlighted BIOS option from the Gigabyte website's software and utilities list.

  4. Download the latest available version after comparing it with your existing BIOS version.
    An image showing the motherboard's highlighted BIOS versions.

  5. Extract the contents of this file using a compression software such as WinRAR and copy the contents to a USB stick.
    A screenshot showing the option to extract the BIOS file from the ZIP package.

    Make sure the drive is empty and copy everything to the root directory.

  1. Restart your system And Enter the BIOS screen by pressing the corresponding key while your computer is booting up. Delete and F2 are some common BIOS keys, but the correct key specific to your motherboard will be shown on the screen during boot up.
  2. Find the BIOS or UEFI flashing toolwhich is also often referred to as Q-Flash Tool.
    An image showing the highlighted Q-Flash option in the Gigabyte motherboard.

  3. (Optional) Backup your existing motherboard's BIOS firmware and save it to a USB drive. This option may or may not appear on your motherboard. If not, ignore it.
  4. Select the new BIOS firmware that you previously downloaded to begin the update.
    An image showing the Update BIOS option highlighted in the Gigabyte BIOS screen.

  5. Press Yes Click the confirmation box to continue.
    An image showing the highlighted BIOS file downloaded from the Gigabyte website.

  6. Restart your computer After flashing the new BIOS, you will see that your PC now has the updated BIOS.
    An image showing the BIOS update confirmation box highlighted.


Does your motherboard support BIOS flashback?

Instead, update your BIOS using a USB stick only

Gigabyte B650 Aorus Elite AX Ice - Rear I/O

Flagship motherboards have long been able to use BIOS Flashback, meaning you don't need to boot into the BIOS to update the firmware. You don't even need to connect a CPU or other hardware, just plug a couple of power cables into the motherboard's 24-pin and 8-pin CPU sockets. This is becoming more common on mid-range motherboards too, and it's worth adding to your list of desired features next time you build a PC. It can often fix faulty flashes and update your motherboard to use the latest CPUs without having to install an older CPU first.


The process is similar across all motherboard manufacturers, with some minor variations mentioned. We're using an MSI Z690 Unify-X for these steps, but the same things you need to look out for will apply to any other motherboard with BIOS Flashback functionality.

  1. Download the latest BIOS file from your motherboard's support page.
    Screenshot of the MSI support page for the Z690 Unify-X motherboard with a highlighted download link for a BIOS update

  2. Rename the BIOS file according to the manufacturer's requirements. MSI wants to rename it to MSI.ROMASRock recommends CREATIVE.ROMwhile 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. Insert the USB stick with the renamed BIOS file into the marked USB port on the back of the motherboard.
    Rear IO panel of the MSI Z690 Unify-X motherboard with highlighted BIOS Flashback port

  5. Insert the 24-pin Motherboard and 8-pin EPS/CPU cable.
    An image showing an ATX power connector on the motherboard.

  6. Press the BIOS Flashback Press the button briefly until the LED starts flashing. Once the process is complete, the LED goes out.
    MSI motherboard IO panel with highlighted BIOS Flashback button

  7. Remove the USB drive.


Now you can install your CPU if you haven't already and finish building your PC. Another thing to note about BIOS Flashback is that even if there is a power interruption, you can restart the process and the update should complete without issues. This makes it more secure than any other BIOS update and is the reason I won't buy a motherboard without it.

Do a quick checkup

And that's how easy it is to update your motherboard's BIOS. We recommend checking your PC's features for any anomalies to make sure everything is working as intended. You can always downgrade and go back to the older BIOS version by downloading it from the manufacturer's website and following the flashing steps highlighted above. As you can see, the whole process is pretty simple; you just need to be careful when following the steps.


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