4 reasons to update BIOS on PC and 2 reasons not to

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

And also a short instruction on how to update, if you do decide to do so.

BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) is a set of firmware that controls the computer before the operating system is loaded and helps the motherboard to work with the hardware connected to it.

Modern computers, strictly speaking, use EFI (Extensible Firmware Interface), which has a graphical menu, but everyone continues to call this thing BIOS in the old fashioned way.

Different motherboards have different BIOS options and can be updated to more recent versions. This is a risky process, but it has its advantages.

Reasons to update BIOS

1. Support for new equipment

Most often, fresh firmware is installed so that the motherboard can correctly identify new hardware - processor, RAM, and so on. If you are going to replace your processor with a different generation CPU (for example, Ryzen 3600 for 4600), in most cases you will need to update the BIOS.

2. New features

It may well turn out that the motherboard you bought in the store is equipped with a "raw" version of the BIOS firmware. Then the board will not have any important functions for you - for example, the correct shutdown of the backlight in sleep mode or the ability to fine-tune the fan speed. Replacing the BIOS firmware with a more recent one will solve such problems.

3. Security updates

Sometimes hackers find vulnerabilities in motherboards and attack users' computers. If your board has been potentially compromised, it's worth seeing if the manufacturer has patched the security hole and installing a patch.

4. Bug fixes

Another reason to update your motherboard BIOS is to fix various errors and bugs. For example, you simply do not open, do not work or are missing some items in the menu, which in theory should be there. This can also sometimes be resolved by updating the BIOS.

Reasons not to update BIOS

1. Damage to the motherboard

If the upgrade process doesn't go as smoothly as expected, you risk turning your motherboard into a useless piece of PCB. The computer just stops booting, and that's it.

Often the only way out is to buy a new motherboard.

The problem can be solved in the service center, but not always there is a programmer for restoring the board.

2. Instability of the system

Even when the update is successful, it does not always solve the problems you are experiencing. And then he can add new ones. For example, the rotation speed of coolers in the case may stop adjusting or the support of some equipment may fall off.

How to decide whether to update the BIOS or not

The answer is simple - if the motherboard is not working properly, or you need support for new hardware in the system (for example, a fresh processor), you will have to update the BIOS.

Before doing this, go to the motherboard manufacturer's website, find the BIOS version you want to install, and carefully study the change log attached to it.

It should tell you which problems of the old BIOSes were fixed in the update. If your problem is among the solved ones, update. But this should be done only when it is really necessary.

You don't need to fix something that already works.

In other cases, it is better not to touch the BIOS. You will not see any noticeable benefit from the update, and the computer is unlikely to boot faster.

How to update BIOS

Before updating the BIOS, connect your computer to an uninterruptible power supply and make sure there is no electrical work in your home. If you turn off the power while flashing the BIOS, the board will almost certainly be damaged.

There are two ways to update the BIOS. The first and easiest one is through a utility from the manufacturer. For example, on computers from Dell or HP, the BIOS will be updated with built-in utilities or.

There are no difficulties with them - open the program, click the Update button and install all the updates in bulk. Everything will be done for you, the main thing is not to touch the computer.

If you need to update BIOS from developers who do not provide such user-friendly programs, do this:

1. Find out the exact name and revision of your motherboard by looking at the markings on it or on the box from under it. This information can also be obtained using the utility on the Mainboard tab.
2. Visit the motherboard manufacturer's website and find the latest BIOS for your motherboard in the downloads section. Be extremely careful, as motherboards have different revisions that require different BIOS versions. If you try to install an unsuitable firmware version, damage the board.
3. Download the archive with the firmware to a USB flash drive previously formatted in FAT32 format.
4. Reboot into BIOS. Find there an item called "Update", Update or Update Firmware. Select it and specify the archive with your firmware on the flash drive.
5. Click OK and wait.
6. When the process is complete: reboot, remove the USB flash drive and exhale with relief when you see the boot Windows logo.

Remember, this is a risky process. If something goes wrong, the computer can restore the BIOS from a backup, but this function is not present on all motherboards.

This instruction is quite universal, but all motherboards have some nuances. Therefore, before updating, be sure to look at the manufacturer's website and see the guide on "How to update the BIOS". Here are articles from the most popular vendors:,,,.

Good luck updating your BIOS. But remember, sometimes the best is the enemy of the good.