ASUS BIOS Update: 5 Easy Ways

ASUS BIOS updates usually come with security patches, bug fixes, compatibility enhancement, and in some cases, new features!

Unless you absolutely require security and hardware improvements, updating BIOS is not necessary as the risk-to-reward ratio is far too high.

ASUSTek offers five different methods and each serves a unique purpose:

• EZ Flash: Upgrade to a new version directly from the BIOS interface
• EZ Update: For users who seek to run the BIOS update from AI Suite
• Windows BIOS Flash: A dedicated Windows app to perform BIOS updates
• USB BIOS Flashback Button: Updates the BIOS without a CPU or RAM
• BUPDATER: Run the update in FreeDOS Prompt

No matter which method you’re going to follow, it’s essential to be extra cautious when updating the BIOS. This detailed guide should help you install the latest firmware version on any ASUS motherboard

Before You Begin

First, it’s important to confirm whether your ASUS motherboard requires a BIOS update. Only then should you download the compatible file. 

In some scenarios, you might require copying it to a storage drive. And don’t forget to take precautions before starting the process as I stated earlier. Let’s cover each of them in brief.

Check and Compare BIOS Version

First of all, I recommend following my other guide to check the current version and then compare it with the latest one available online.

This is possible from both the official ASUS website and the MyASUS application. For demonstration, I’m going with the first approach:

1. On the ASUS home page, search for your motherboard model and select it.
   
2. Switch to its Support section.
3. Now, select Driver & Utility > BIOS & FIRMWARE.
   
4. The latest BIOS file will be shown at the top. If you want to get a quick overview of all the other versions, press Expand All.
   
5. Now, compare the Version field with your motherboard’s current BIOS version.

Download the BIOS File and Transfer to USB Flash Drive

Well, I’m currently running the 3211 version on PRIME B450-PLUS but the latest one online is 4204. Since I’m seeking system performance improvement, a BIOS update should help me out.

That said, you should only perform such upgrades if absolutely required. If you have a specific reason and are 100% ready to go for a firmware update, here’s what to do next:

1. Hit the Download button and the zip file should be saved to your PC.
   
2. Extract the content inside it. The special thing about ASUS is that you’re going to find two files – BIOS Renamer and the .CAP file.
   
3. Run the Renamer file and your BIOS file should be renamed automatically.
   

If you’re planning to use the EZ Update utility on AI Suite 3, you’re now good to go.

However, users who are trying to update via EZ Flash Utility (using the Storage method) need to copy the file to a FAT32-formatted drive. Note that the NTFS and exFAT file systems aren’t supported in the firmware interface.

Things to consider

• Since there’s a risk of boot-related issues, always back up your important data and files before proceeding to update the BIOS.
• Do not turn off the PSU when the update is in progress. For users who might be experiencing frequent power cuts, I highly recommend connecting your PC to a UPS.
  ASUS laptop users are suggested to keep the power adapter plugged in throughout the process.
• Also, it’s best to avoid pressing any keys or unplugging the connected USB flash drive. This might cause interruption and may lead to boot failure.
• If you’re performing an update via the internet, opt for a wired connection. And most importantly, make sure you don’t face any network issues during the process.
• While it’s best to go with the latest BIOS version, some might require a previous update to be compatible. Kindly check out for such exceptions from the description.
• Also, ASUS recommends loading optimized defaults after the update to ensure the system is stable.

Use EZ Flash Utility in ASUS BIOS

The standard way to update your motherboard’s firmware is through the BIOS interface itself. ASUS offers the EZ Flash Utility and the latest one (EZ Flash 3) allows you to do so using an external storage device or even directly via the Internet.

Well, the involved steps slightly vary on UEFI and Legacy modes. Since most systems are equipped with the modern UEFI interface today, I will be emphasizing the same. Nonetheless, I have provided the just general steps for the other mode below.

Via Storage Device

This method involves inserting the FAT32-formatted USB drive you prepared earlier and manually initiating the process.

Just a few months back, my PRIME B450-PLUS model was experiencing random stuttering after enabling TPM. The final option to resolve my problem was updating BIOS. 

Even though the 3802 version could resolve this problem, I decided to go for the latest one (which was 4202 at that time).

The process was fairly easy and completed in less than 5 minutes. Based on this experience, I’ve compiled the essential steps that you should carry out:

1. First, start/restart your computer and use the Del/F2 key to enter ASUS BIOS.
2. Use F7 to quickly switch from EZ to Advanced mode.
3. Navigate to the Tool tab.
4. Here, select ASUS EZ Flash 2 Utility or ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility, depending on the motherboard.
   
5. Pick the via Storage Device(s) option, if asked.
6. Select the thumb drive and pick the .CAP file that you had renamed earlier.
   
7. A dialogue box should pop up. Press Yes to continue.
   
8. Now, a final confirmation appears with the new version that will be flashed. Again, select Yes.
   
9. It’s time to wait for the BIOS update to complete. 
   
10. Once done, you’ll likely get this message, “Update successful! System will be reset”. You may hit OK or the computer will automatically reboot.
11. Now, the AMIBIOS screen should appear asking you to set up your BIOS to recover the settings. Press F1 to continue.
    
12. For final confirmation, you can get back to the ASUS UEFI Utility and check the updated version.
    

Via Internet

This is a new feature integrated on only some models that support ASUS EZ Flash 3. Do note that it’s not available on every BIOS.

In our office, both the PRIME B450-PLUS and ROG STRIX B450-I GAMING didn’t provide this option even though they supported the third revision of the EZ flash utility. 

However, it was available on the ROG STRIX 450-I GAMING. Our team was eager to test how it worked out. We decided to go for the BIOS update, which has indeed helped improve the system performance.

Here are the required steps for this process:

1. First, get to BIOS and switch to the Advanced mode.
2. Select Tool and pick ASUS EZ Flash 3 Utility.
   
3. Then, choose the ‘via Internet’ option and hit Next.
   
4. Then, select one of these options – DHCP, PPPoE, or Fixed IP, based on your Internet method.
   
5. The BIOS will now prompt you to the confirmation download screen. Identify the version before hitting OK.
   
6. Wait for the download to complete. This should take no longer than a minute but may vary if you have a slower internet connection.
   
7. Now, you will be taken to a similar confirmation window as with the storage media method. Select Yes to proceed.
   
8. The update process will begin. Now, all you need is patience! Once this is complete, your ASUS system should restart automatically.

Via EZ Update in AI Suite

For ASUS users who wish to run the BIOS update directly from their operating system, AI Suite is the tool you’re looking for. The latest version is AI Suite 3 but note that only the newer boards support it.

Along with fan speed customization, hardware monitoring, and a plethora of other features, you’ll find the EZ Update option within the application itself. Like the previous method, it also offers performing BIOS updates online or via the storage method.

If you haven’t downloaded AI Suite already, look for it under Driver & Utility on your model’s support page. It should be in the Software and Utility section as demonstrated in the above screenshot.

Manual Update

Let’s look into the manual process first. As I mentioned earlier, you do not require a USB flash drive in this case. Just download the file via the MyASUS application or the official Support website.

Recently, ASUS came up with the 4204 version for my PRIME B450-PLUS motherboard. While this update wasn’t absolutely necessary, it did resolve the potential security vulnerabilities. 

This time, I tried the EZ Update utility from the Windows environment and I didn’t find much difference as compared to the earlier method. The only advantage here is you do not need to prepare a USB drive.

Having said that, you can go for either of the two methods as they work the same. Here are the general steps you need to follow:

1. First, launch the ASUS AI Suite Utility.
2. Click on the hamburger button on the left side of the application.
   
3. Once the menu appears, pick EZ update.
   
4. From the ‘Manually update Boot logo or BIOS’ section, press the meatball menu icon.
   
5. Now, you can browse for the renamed file and select it.
   
6. Wait for a few seconds and two separate buttons should appear – MyLogo and Update. Pick the second option.
   
7. Now, click the Flash button.
   
8. A confirmation dialogue box should pop up. Hit OK and you’ll be taken to the EZ Flash screen.
9. Wait until the update gets completed and the PC should restart.

Check Updates From the Internet

A much quicker option is to detect the available BIOS version online and proceed only if necessary. It’s identical to the Internet method in the EZ Flash.

I did try this on PRIME B450-PLUS but it didn’t show the latest 4204 version I was looking for. That’s the reason I opted for the previous method.

Here’s what to do:

1. In the ASUS AI Suite utility, get to the EZ update section first.
2. Hit the Check Now! button as shown below.
   
3. Click on Connect to search if there’s an update available.
   
4. For some reason, I got the “There’s no need to update the environment” message. This meant that the app couldn’t find a compatible version for my system.
   
5. But if you get one, simply pick the latest version and hit the Update button.
6. Once the dialogue box pops up, press OK and this takes you to the EZ Flash screen.
7. After the update completes, your PC will restart. Enter the setup page and load the optimized defaults and you should be good to go.

Run Windows BIOS Flash Utility

Some models come with a dedicated Windows utility for updating BIOS. This is especially the case with ASUS laptops. 

Look for Windows BIOS Flash Utility or BIOS Installer for Windows on your model’s support page. If you have installed the MyASUS app, check if there’s a BIOS Update for Windows section available.

Even recently, I flashed the latest BIOS version (317) on my Vivobook Pro 15 (X580VD) laptop using Windows BIOS Flash Utility.

The following instructions are based on my experience. The exact process might vary depending on your model.

1. First, download the installation file from the Driver & Tools / BIOS & FIRMWARE page.
   
2. Run the execution file, complete the setup, and open the WinFlash utility.
   
3. The first window usually checks for the network, adapter, and battery power. If there’s anything faulty, it should display some form of message. In case everything is fine like below, hit Next.
   
4. Select any one of the two methods – Get BIOS from the Web or Get BIOS from Device.
   
5. Check the BIOS information and hit the Update button to start the process.
   

Use USB BIOS Flashback

Ever wondered what the marked USB-A port on the motherboard implies? If you take a closer view, you’ll also notice a button next to it labeled ‘BIOS’.

This is the USB BIOS Flashback feature but it’s only available on some modern ASUS boards. It’s mainly used to add compatibility to a new component (especially the processor).

While this feature can be used to update BIOS even without installing a CPU or RAM, that’s not always the case. Some ASUS models might ask you to mount at least an older compatible processor to complete the process. Take a peek at your user manual to confirm this.

Sharing my experience, when I tried installing Ryzen 5 4500 on the ROG STRIX B550-I GAMING motherboard (running the 2407 version), it didn’t work. I had to update it to the latest version as this processor has only been supported since the 2603 version.

This activity also involves using a USB flash drive containing the compatible BIOS version. If you’re having boot-related issues on your PC, you can utilize another working computer for this purpose. Make sure only the CAP file is present on the stick.

Once this is prepared, go through the following instructions:

1. First, completely shut down your PC but do not unplug the power cable.
2. Insert the flash drive containing the BIOS file and press the dedicated button for about three seconds.
   
3. You’ll see that the LED starts flashing which indicates the BIOS update has initiated. After a few short blinks, the process will be rapid.
   
4. Wait until the LED stops flashing. Once you’ve reached the stage, turn on the PC.
5. You may notice the “BIOS is updating LED firmware” message like the one below. Just wait for a few seconds and your ASUS computer should start the POST.
   
6. After you get the AMIBIOS screen, press F1 and load the optimized defaults. Save changes and restart your PC.
   
7. You can now install the new components (if you haven’t already) and check if your PC can boot to BIOS or not.

In FreeDOS Prompt

Using DOS utilities to update BIOS is definitely not the standard method. But if you’re someone who likes to have hands-on experience with everything, I’d say this is worth a try!

BUPDATER also called the ASUS BIOS Updater requires a DVD optical drive as well as a flash drive containing the CAP file. Also, you’ll need to have basic knowledge of the DOS environment and its commands.

What to Do if BIOS Update Fails?

BIOS is your motherboard’s firmware and it isn’t something to tinker with frequently. As aforementioned, updates are required only when absolutely necessary!

Also, you have probably heard this saying – “failure or interruption in BIOS update will render the motherboard useless”. 

Well, that’s true to some extent as most ASUS boards now come with a variety of failsafe features. So, BIOS updates aren’t as scary as in previous days!

I’ve already provided a detailed walkthrough on one of the recovery methods – USB BIOS Flashback. Other than that, here are some other methods that should help recover your presumably ‘bricked’ motherboard:

• ASUS CrashFree Utility
• Dual BIOS
• Reprogramming BIOS using specialized tools (for advanced users only)
• Replacing BIOS chip (for advanced users only)

Don’t worry! I’ve already covered a detailed explanation of how these techniques work in the following guides:

• ASUS BIOS Recovery
• What to do when BIOS update fails