A tiny BIOS chip lurks inside each laptop, sitting in your motherboard to breathe life into your system whenever you press the facility button. It not solely powers your PC, however helps shield it, too—as evidenced by AMD’s resolution to work with companions to push out critical BIOS updates for AM5 motherboards after new Ryzen 7000 X3D chips started literally (though infrequently) burning out.

BIOS stands for primary enter and output system, and the BIOS chip initializes all the opposite units in your PC, just like the CPU, GPU, and motherboard chipset. But a few years in the past, motherboard producers—in partnership with Microsoft and Intel—launched a alternative for conventional BIOS chips dubbed UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface).

Almost each motherboard transport as we speak has a UEFI chip relatively than a BIOS chip (UEFI is a Windows 11 system requirement, in actual fact), however they each share the identical core function: making ready the system as well into the working system. That stated, most individuals nonetheless name the UEFI the “BIOS” due to the familiarity of the time period.

Why it is best to (or shouldn’t) replace your BIOS

Understanding your UEFI is vital so you may perceive how (and if) to benefit from the function updates and bug fixes that include the BIOS updates supplied by motherboard producers.

Your motherboard probably makes use of no matter firmware revision the motherboard producer was on again when it was constructed. Over the lifespan of a motherboard, producers launch new firmware packages or BIOS updates that can allow help for brand new processors and reminiscence, or remedy generally reported bugs. For years, the one actual motive to replace to a more recent firmware revision, nonetheless, is to resolve a bug in your UEFI or to swap in a CPU that’s newer than your motherboard.

Some individuals wish to commonly test for and replace their UEFI firmware packages simply to remain updated. At one time, this was thought of a dangerous observe, on condition that the firmware updating course of can doubtlessly brick your motherboard in the identical approach that flashing a customized ROM on to Android cellphone can brick the system. It’s greatest to not replace your UEFI firmware until there’s something particular that the up to date firmware gives that you simply want.

That stated, you in all probability wish to keep on high of BIOS updates if you happen to’re on a chip or motherboard platform that’s recent out of the gates—witness these essential BIOS updates for AMD’s recent AM5 motherboard platform talked about above. Living on the bleeding edge typically requires diligence.

How to replace your PC BIOS

Make positive you back up your critical data earlier than making an attempt a BIOS replace! These updates alter core points of your PC and its important to have backups if something goes flawed.

1. Find your present BIOS model: Before you improve your BIOS, be sure you’re truly putting in a brand new model. The best approach to discover your BIOS model is to open up the System Information app by typing msinfo into the Windows search bar. In the window that opens, your BIOS model ought to present up on the fitting, beneath your processor pace. Record your model quantity and date, then examine it to the most recent model accessible in your motherboard’s help web page on the producer’s web site.

2. Enter the UEFI BIOS: When you boot up your PC, you’ll see textual content that informs you which ones button to press to enter the UEFI BIOS. Press it! (The actual button wanted, and the design of each motherboard’s precise UEFI management panel differs, so these directions will likely be extra guideposts than step-by-step directions.)

3. Boot into the UEFI management panel (when potential): Although not all motherboards provide this function, on sure fashions you may boot into the UEFI management panel and use a built-in replace utility to hook up with the web and flash the most recent firmware from the manufacture’s server. This extraordinarily good function makes updating to newer firmware revisions as painless as potential.

The course of is a little more concerned for motherboards that don’t help this function.

4. Find the most recent BIOS replace out of your motherboard’s help web page: Go to your motherboard’s help web page on the producer’s web site. The newest BIOS replace needs to be within the help and downloads part.

5. Download and unzip the BIOS replace file 

6. Transfer replace file onto a USB flash drive 

7. Reboot your laptop into the UEFI management panel

8. Launch the UEFI’s firmware replace device or flashing device and again up your PC’s current firmware to your flash drive: This protects you in case one thing goes flawed.

9. Use the identical UEFI utility to pick the brand new firmware picture you saved on the flash drive: Running the firmware replace utility ought to take simply a few minutes, however be sure to not shut off your PC throughout this course of. This is essential.

10. Once the flashing course of finishes, restart your laptop: Your up to date PC BIOS is able to rock.

Some producers provide utilities that may replace your UEFI chip from immediately inside Windows by working an .exe file, however we strongly suggest utilizing one of many two strategies above to keep away from any issues.

Again, updating your PC’s BIOS can present many advantages, but it surely’s vital to grasp the dangers. Don’t contact it if there isn’t a transparent, compelling motive to replace your UEFI firmware. That stated, if you wish to drop in a more recent CPU into an older motherboard, then it’s clear {that a} BIOS replace lies in your future.

Updated at May 1, 2023 to reference AMD’s BIOS updates for AM5 motherboards.