In this guide, we will explain how to update MSI BIOS using two distinctive methods of M-Flash and the Flash BIOS Button.
Generally, M-Flash proves to be straightforward. Accessing the MSI BIOS initiates the update process. This method suits individuals who have their PC operational and seek to update the BIOS for accessing the latest features or ensuring compatibility, such as upgrading to a 5000 series CPU from AMD.
Those assembling a computer for the first time with a 5000 series CPU might prefer using the Flash BIOS Button. This method allows BIOS updating without any components installed. There’s no need to boot the computer; simply load the file onto a USB drive and initiate the BIOS flash with a button press.
This guide is primarily focused on the X570 series of MSI motherboards, even though the process is likely same for the B550 chipset and a few other versions. However, it’s crucial to refer to the specific motherboard’s instructions to ensure compatibility.
How to Download MSI BIOS files
Here are the steps to download MSI BIOS files from the official website:
- Go to the MSI website by navigating to us.msi.com.
- Select “Motherboards” from the menu to view the list of available motherboards.
- Scroll down to find the AMD X570 chipset, or choose the specific series of the motherboard you have.
- Click on the desired motherboard model, such as the MPG X570 Gaming Pro Carbon Wi-Fi.
- Navigate to the “Support” tab on the motherboard’s overview page.
- Access the section containing drivers and files needed for updating the motherboard.
- Locate the BIOS section, typically listed in release order by date.
- Identify the latest BIOS version, ensuring it matches your motherboard model and requirements.
- Read the information provided about the BIOS update to understand its contents and compatibility.
- Download the BIOS file by clicking on the corresponding link.
- Save the downloaded file to your computer.
How to Extract BIOS Files
Here are the steps to extract BIOS files from a downloaded zip file:
- After downloading the zip file, locate it on your computer.
- Right-click on the zip file and select “Extract All.”
- Choose a destination folder for the extracted files and click “Extract.”
- Once the extraction process is complete, open the destination folder.
- Inside the folder, you will find the extracted files.
- Look for a text document and a file with a .1b0 extension. The file with the .1b0 extension is the actual BIOS file needed for the update.
- Note that the .1b0 extension represents the BIOS version, so don’t worry about it.
- Ensure that both the text document and the .1b0 BIOS file are present in the folder.
Typically, the BIOS file size is around 30 megabytes. With the extracted files ready, you can proceed to the next step in the BIOS update process.
Formatting a USB Drive
Obtain a blank USB stick for the BIOS update process and ensure that the USB stick is not currently formatted and has no data on it. Consider using an older USB stick if available, as newer USB 3.0 drives may cause compatibility issues. Here are the steps to format a USB drive into the FAT32 file system:
- Right-click on the USB drive icon in the file explorer.
- Select the “Format” option from the context menu.
- Ensure that the file system is set to FAT32, which is the default option.
- Ignore the capacity and allocation unit size settings.
- Optionally, provide a name for the USB drive to enhance clarity, such as “BIOS Update.”
- Choose the “Quick Format” option if available, or perform a regular format if preferred.
- Click on the “Start” button to initiate the formatting process.
- Confirm the formatting action when prompted, acknowledging that all data on the USB drive will be erased.
- Wait for the formatting process to complete, which usually takes a few seconds.
- Once the formatting is finished, the USB drive will be ready for use.
- Navigate back to the folder where the BIOS files were extracted.
- Drag and drop both extracted files onto the USB stick.
- Wait for the files to transfer to the USB drive, confirming their presence.
- With the necessary files on the USB stick, proceed to restart the computer.
- Start tapping the “Delete” button to enter the BIOS during boot-up, preparing for the next steps in the update process.
How to Update MSI BIOS using M-Flash Method
Here are the steps for the M-Flash Method:
- Restart your computer and repeatedly tap the “Delete” button during startup to enter the BIOS.
- Once in the BIOS, you may see the EZ Mode option or a similar screen.
- Navigate to the “M-Flash” option.
- Click on the “M-Flash” option to enter flash mode.
- Confirm the action by selecting “Yes.”
- Wait for the system to transition to flash mode, indicated by a stripped-down version of the BIOS interface.
- Insert the USB flash drive containing the BIOS file into the appropriate port.
- The BIOS interface will automatically detect the USB flash drive and display the BIOS file.
- Select the BIOS file from the USB flash drive. Ensure it is the correct version for your motherboard.
- Confirm the selection by choosing “Yes” to initiate the BIOS update process.
- Do not shut down or restart your computer during the update process.
- Ensure that no accidental interruptions occur, such as power loss or system restart.
- The BIOS installation process may take several minutes to complete.
- Once the update is finished, the computer will automatically reboot into the BIOS.
- Allow the system to boot up, and you’ll be back in the BIOS interface.
Optionally, review and adjust BIOS settings as needed before proceeding with the next steps.
Confirming M-Flash BIOS
Here are the steps for confirming the M-Flash BIOS update:
- Navigate to the BIOS information section to verify the BIOS version.
- Locate the BIOS version, such as “E7B93 AMS.1B0,” which should match the file used for the update.
- Confirm that the BIOS version displayed matches the one you intended to install.
- Ensure that all information in the BIOS reflects that the update was successful and everything is up to date.
- Exit the BIOS interface and proceed to boot back into the desktop environment.
If you’re embarking on a new system build or want to explore additional options, proceed to the next step, which involves using the Flash Button method.
How to Update MSI BIOS using Flash Button Method
Here are the steps for the Flash Button Method:
- Access your file folders and navigate to the USB drive where the BIOS file is located.
- Locate the BIOS file and rename it to “msi.rom” by right-clicking on the file, selecting “Rename,” and entering the new name.
- Confirm the rename action and acknowledge any warnings about changing the file extension.
- Turn off the computer completely.
- Identify the specific USB port labeled “Flash BIOS Button” on your motherboard. Refer to your motherboard manual if needed.
- Plug the USB drive containing the renamed BIOS file into the designated “Flash BIOS Button” port.
- Ensure that the computer remains powered off.
- Locate the Flash BIOS Button on your motherboard, typically indicated by text and possibly a flashing light.
- Press the Flash BIOS Button gently but firmly.
- Listen for the computer to power off completely, then boot up again.
- Observe a flashing red light inside the Flash BIOS Button port, indicating the BIOS update process is underway.
- Wait patiently for several minutes for the BIOS update to complete.
- Monitor the flashing red light; it should stop once the update process is finished. (Note that the computer may power off momentarily and then restart again as part of the update process.)
Once the flashing light stops, indicating the update is complete, you can proceed with further steps or tasks.
Confirming Flash Button BIOS
Here are the steps to confirm the Flash Button BIOS update:
- Wait for the computer to boot back up after the BIOS update process.
- Enter the BIOS interface to check the BIOS version.
- Ensure that the BIOS version matches the one you intended to install.
- Note that it might not be immediately obvious when the update process is complete.
- Monitor the flashing red light associated with the Flash BIOS Button port.
- Wait for the flashing red light to stop, indicating that the update process has finished.
- Be aware that your computer may attempt to reboot during this process.
- If your computer returns to a black screen with a solid underscore, remove the USB drive from the Flash BIOS Button port.
- Allow the computer to reboot normally.
- Verify that the computer successfully reboots and operates without issues.
If everything appears to be working correctly, you can safely remove the USB drive and proceed with normal use.
