!!! Warning: Z490 boards - problem with recent BIOS updates !!!

citay

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There is a common problem with the latest BIOS updates for Z490 boards: The update seems to finish, the PC reboots, but then it's stuck with the EZ Debug LED "CPU" being on.

The danger has first appeared with the April/May 2021 BIOS update (changelog: "Improved Audio compatibility"), and may continue with newer updates as well, potentially causing the same issue: The board can become unusable / "bricked" because of a failed flash process.

Note that there is no risk of this with BIOS updates for MSI mainboards using other chipsets (like Z390, B460, Z590, B560, Z690, B660, X470, B450, X570, B550, and so on).
This can only happen on MSI Z490 boards. People with other boards can update normally.

The first reports about a Z490 BIOS update causing problems was at the beginning of May 2021: z490 Tomahawk CPU Debug LED Stuck on after latest BIOS update
Then in May 2021, this thread: Warning : V17 bios for Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi release Monday may brick your board., and several more after.

I have found no reports of problems with any of the earlier BIOS updates, only with the ones from mid-2021 and newer. Also, this problem doesn't happen all the time, otherwise this forum would be absolutely flooded with complaints. But it is a real danger, as you will see below when i list some of the affected users.

Normally i'm all for updating the BIOS, and i do it pretty much immediately on my boards whenever a new BIOS is released. And this Z490 issue is the first such problem i ever saw. But the main problem is: Unlike some newer-generation boards, most of the Z490 boards have no way of recovering from it. For most people, the only way to solve this would be to RMA the board, or try their luck with an external BIOS programming device. The only Z490 boards where it's no problem are the two sister boards MEG Z490 UNIFY and ACE, and the MEG Z490 GODLIKE, because those three have a USB Flashback function (Flash BIOS Button). There you can flash back to an older version and the board works again, or you can even flash the newest version until it works (once the BIOS is successfully flashed, even the three newest versions will work fine).

The newer Z590, Z690 and Z790 boards now almost all have a Flash BIOS Button (and corresponding USB port) on the rear I/O panel through which users can "force-flash" the BIOS in case of problems. So i guess MSI rather add that function everywhere now, instead of dealing with RMAs of bricked boards when something goes wrong. Once you have this "USB Flashback" feature on a board, a problem like this becomes harmless, because you can just re-flash the latest BIOS and make it work again.

I have researched about all the users i could find that have been affected by this, so everyone can see the full scope of the problem. I don't think i exaggerate when i claim that this is a huge problem for MSI and their reputation, and to my knowledge, they have not reacted until this day. They released the September BIOS update for Windows 11 compatibility, and while such an update went well on my Z590 board at the time, as expected (plus it has the safety net of the Flash USB Button), there are still reports of the similar Z490 update potentially causing this problem there. Each day, there are many people updating their BIOS on MSI mainboards without any issues, and only on Z490 boards we see this kind of problem.

As a longtime MSI user, this kind of problem with the Z490 boards is unacceptable, even if i don't have a Z490 board myself.
Therefore, i decided to try to bring further attention to it, so hopefully MSI can do something about it as soon as possible.

Update October 7, 2021: MSI are now seemingly aware of this issue, as was confirmed on a German forum by an official MSI account. I will update this post/thread if there is any progress.

Update October 29, 2021: A user received a link from MSI with a tool for manual flashing from the command line. However, this is just an interim solution if you absolutely want to update to the newest Z490 BIOS and reduce the risk of failure. We are still waiting for them to upload new BIOS updates where this potential problem is 100% fixed.

Update March 6, 2022: Still no solution from MSI.

Update August 17, 2023: Still nothing from MSI, although there are considerably less cases now than there have been two years ago, we barely get any new victims. So maybe the newest BIOS versions are way less problematic again. As for updating an MSI Z490 board, i now recommend using the Forum Flash Tool as linked here. There has been no corrupt Z490 BIOS reported with it yet.


If the problem already happened, the best do-it-yourself solution by far is this kind of method with an external flash programmer (bit more info here), it has a 100% success rate from what i have read so far. Meaning, more or less everyone that seriously tried that method could eventually flash their BIOS with it and get the board back to a working state. So for everyone wanting to avoid a possibly lengthy RMA process, this is a viable option. The programming device is quite cheap, but it involves a bit of research and spirit of adventure. Luckily, there are good guides about it on Youtube for example.


One final word: It is important not to be put off from doing BIOS updates altogether by this. BIOS updates fix bugs, add new features, and they even improve performance. It is extremely rare that a whole line of mainboard models has such a potential problem. So, nobody should conclude never to do any BIOS updates again, that would be the wrong thing to learn from this. Instead, once this problem is fixed for the Z490 boards, the BIOS updates can once again be an important way to make the system work better, faster, and with less bugs. On other boards with a Flash BIOS Button as a safety net, there is literally no reason to shy away from any BIOS updates. Even here with the Z490 boards, whenever users with the the boards Z490 ACE, UNIFY or GODLIKE were affected, they could easily recover from it using the Flash BIOS Button. This problem could only become so big because all the other Z490 board models from MSI didn't have the Flash BIOS Button yet.


Statistics:
Affected total users (from this list and from further replies to this thread): 183
Users that could fix it themselves using the Flash BIOS Button (
Z490 ACE/UNIFY/GODLIKE): 9
Users that could fix it themselves using an external programming device: 12
Users who did an RMA with the vendor or MSI for a fix/replacement: 56
RMA declined because of existing unrelated damage on the board: 4
Users that bought a new board themselves: 9
No further information / no RMA yet: 93

Users that updated via MSI Center / Dragon Center Live Update: 85
Users that updated via M-FLASH in the BIOS: 66
Update method unknown:
32


List of affected users i have found on the forum, as of first posting this thread:

(Roughly in chronological order)

User: @datz.bunz
Date of failed flashing: May 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Tomahawk
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: M-FLASH
Attempted update to BIOS version: 7C80v18
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. Bought a replacement board (ASUS)

User: @mace014ea02cd
Date of failed flashing: May 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Tomahawk
CPU: 10700K
Flashing method used: M-FLASH
Attempted update to BIOS version: 7C80v18
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. Got a replacement board

User: @dr_overflo153302df
Date of failed flashing: May 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Tomahawk
CPU: 10700K
Flashing method used: M-FLASH
Attempted update to BIOS version: 7C80v18
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. Bought a replacement board

User: @sixpackvbal129b02ae
Date of failed flashing: May 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Tomahawk
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: M-FLASH
Attempted update to BIOS version: 7C80v18
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through MSI, got his repaired board back

User: @mark.hadda156c02dd
Date of failed flashing: May 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Tomahawk?
CPU: 10850k
Flashing method used: M-FLASH
Attempted update to BIOS version: 7C80v18
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

User: @mickh5494
Date of failed flashing: May 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: M-FLASH
Attempted update to BIOS version: v17
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through MSI?

User: @kenneth.cotma151802d1
Date of failed flashing: May 2021
Affected board model: Z490I Unify
CPU: 10700K
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: ?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through vendor, sent to MSI for repair

User: @anglnotre15dd02f0
Date of failed flashing: May 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Plus
CPU: 10600K
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: ?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA, got his repaired board back with older BIOS vA6 on

User: @lesurvenan152302d4
Date of failed flashing: May 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi
CPU: 10600K
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: v17
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through MSI?

User: @sa3aa14e902d9
Date of failed flashing: May 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge
CPU: 10700K
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: v17
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. Goes "back to ASUS"

User: @jallu_col129b02ae
Date of failed flashing: June 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Carbon Wifi
CPU: 10900K
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: v18
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA denied due to small scratch on the board. Bought a replacement board from different brand

User: @Own3d
Date of failed flashing: June 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi ?
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: ?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through MSI

User: @luis.stuardo2151c02d3
Date of failed flashing: June 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Carbon Wifi
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: ?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. It will be "his last board from MSI"

User: @tehjacku151402ce
Date of failed flashing: June 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: ?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA denied by MSI (didn't go into detail), got a replacement through insurance

User: @mark.robinson198127b02ab
Date of failed flashing: June 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: ?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

User: @dj3for10
Date of failed flashing: June 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: ?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. "Contemplates life in front of dead PC"

User: @jwilby8160102f6
Date of failed flashing: July 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Carbon Wifi
CPU: 10700K
Flashing method used: M-FLASH
Attempted update to BIOS version: v19
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through vendor

User: @ferran.duarr157e02dd
Date of failed flashing: July 2021
Affected board model: Z490I Unify
CPU: 11700
Flashing method used: M-FLASH
Attempted update to BIOS version: v19
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through vendor

User: @Rubik
Date of failed flashing: July 2021
Affected board model: Z490I Unify ?
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: M-FLASH
Attempted update to BIOS version: v19
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. Successfully repaired it by using a BIOS programmer,

User: @janschulteortbec154a02d3
Date of failed flashing: July 2021
Affected board model: Z490I Unify ?
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: v19?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

User: @hardcore_gamer29
Date of failed flashing: July 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Tomahawk
CPU: 10900K
Flashing method used: M-FLASH
Attempted update to BIOS version: v19
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through service center, got his repaired board back

User: @yamei031154f02d7
Date of failed flashing: July 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi
CPU: 10900K
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: v18
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through MSI

User: @saokirito93156102df
Date of failed flashing: July 2021
Affected board model: Z490 GAMING EDGE WIFI
CPU: 10600KF
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: ?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

User: @jwilby8160102f6
Date of failed flashing: July 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi
CPU: 10700K
Flashing method used: M-FLASH
Attempted update to BIOS version: v19
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through vendor

User: @gmbeas160158102e0
Date of failed flashing: July 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Tomahawk
CPU: 10700K
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: v18
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through MSI?

User: @mohdrodz15bf02ed
Date of failed flashing: July 2021
Affected board model: Z490 ?
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: v19
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA

User: @mikemauge154a02d7
Date of failed flashing: July 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi
CPU: 10900
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: v17
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through MSI, got his repaired board back with BIOS v17 on

User: @xsketchyfruit12fc02b9
Date of failed flashing: August 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Pro Plus
CPU: 10400
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: v19?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

User: @yxh93021154502dc
Date of failed flashing: August 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Pro Plus
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: v19
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

User: @John Eisberg
Date of failed flashing: August 2021
Affected board model: Z490 UNIFY
CPU: 10900K
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: vA9
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. Used "Flash BIOS Button" method to force-flash to BIOS vA8, board works again

User: @aaronpeigh
Date of failed flashing: August 2021
Affected board model: Z490 UNIFY
CPU: 10850K
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: vA9
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. Used "Flash BIOS Button" method to force-flash to BIOS vA8, board works again

User: @dan.pahal125b02a7
Date of failed flashing: August 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Tomahawk
CPU: 10700K
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: v18?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA

User: @amichele154f02db
Date of failed flashing: August 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Plus
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: vA8
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through MSI?

User: @j0sefuz115d402ee
Date of failed flashing: August 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: v18
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

User: @mikkl1620
Date of failed flashing: August 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Tomahawk
CPU: 10600K
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: ?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA denied due to slightly bent pins in the CPU socket. Bought a replacement board "Z590 Tomahawk"

User: @yohan.vandevell154002e1
Date of failed flashing: August 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: ?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. Opened a ticket with MSI

User: @jonathan84012e802b5
Date of failed flashing: August 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Carbon Wifi
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: ?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

User: @takocankol
Date of failed flashing: August 2021
Affected board model: Z490 ?
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: ?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

User: @christoph.urba128d02aa
Date of failed flashing: August 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Plus
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: MSI/Dragon Center Live Update
Attempted update to BIOS version: ?
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. Wants to attempt manual BIOS flash with CH341A EEPROM programmer,

User: @seeknay7415ae02f0
Date of failed flashing: September 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Carbon WIFI
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: v19
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through MSI. "Very unlikely he will buy another MSI board after this"

User: @mastersap157d02db
Date of failed flashing: September 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Carbon WIFI
CPU: ?
Flashing method used: ?
Attempted update to BIOS version: v19
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. RMA through MSI?, got a new board of the same model

User: @stro152c02d9
Date of failed flashing: September 2021
Affected board model: Z490 Gaming Edge
CPU: 10500
Flashing method used: M-FLASH
Attempted update to BIOS version: v19
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.



Everyone with the same problem on Z490 that doesn't find themselves on the list, feel free to reply here using the same format, here is a template:
Date of failed flashing:
Affected board model:
CPU:
Flashing method used:
Attempted update to BIOS version:
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

Whenever i have seen your reply and included it in the statistics, i will give a "thumbs up" for it to thank you for your participation.

Also, feel free to refer to this thread in your communication with the vendor or with MSI. Hopefully MSI will finally start to recognize this problem and do something about it.

Someone asked me if they can thank me for my work by sending me something via Paypal: Yes, that's possible, just write me a message and i'll tell you my Paypal 😉
 
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Hm. Yes. Seems like I was lucky when using the CH341A. The PC works fine now, so atleast I were lucky with something.

I read the BIOS chip before programming it, and it was mostly blank. Seems the USB flash button prodecure had not written anything useful to it.

The current implementation of the Flash BIOS button needs to be fixed. When it is this extremely sensitive to using the correct USB storage device, I'm considering it broken. Besides the USB memory sticks pictured above, I borrowed another 8 different models, old and new, from friends. None of them worked. I spent many hours testing and hunting USB devices every day during two weeks.

I should have just tested the few USB devices I had at hand the first day, and then returned the board and let MSI know what I think about their implementation of the BIOS flash button.

I think MSI should improve their communication; sure. But as far as I read from your posts, you are not in the position to say that the "Flash BIOS button needs to be fixed".
What if the BIOS chip is the reason why the flash failed (multiple times)? We simply do not have enough data.
Anyway enjoy your working motherboard.
 
Date of failed flashing: MAY 2022
Affected board model: Z490 ACE
CPU: 10700K
Flashing method used: M-FLASH
Attempted update to BIOS version: 1.B
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update. Recovered with 1.B using BIOS Flashback.
 
On the z690 it looks like the same thing is happening. I see more and more similar situations lately. After the bios flash, the board does not get up and the CPu diode is lit, interestingly, flashing the button often does not give anything. As here on the Polish forum:
https://forum.pclab.pl/topic/1349289-brick-z690-msi-tomahawk-aktualizacja-biosu/
There are also links to other people having the same problem. It seems MSI has a huge problem.


Z690 tomahawk DDR4 here, updated to 7D32v13, rebooted to black screen and debug LED red on CPU.
Flash BIOS button will not flash any version than the current (7D32v13). I have an 8GB USB key with an indicator for activity; after 80 seconds from pushing the flash bios button the latest bios will flash, total time is around 6 minutes. V11 and V12 will not flash; I have tried for 30+ minutes.
Going to have to RMA this board tomorrow, my first ever, and lesson learned - do not upgrade your MSI BIOS even to patch vulnerabilities.
 
The Flash BIOS Button method is very picky about the USB sticks sometimes. In fact, the old and cheap USB sticks with small capacity seem to work the best for that method, read here.
You have to simply try with different USB sticks to make it work, don't give up easily.

Going to have to RMA this board tomorrow, my first ever, and lesson learned - do not upgrade your MSI BIOS even to patch vulnerabilities.

No, that's the wrong lesson! This high danger of a corrupt BIOS exists only on MSI Z490. But in general, it can be absolutely crucial to update your BIOS. The most recent examples:

On Intel, mainboards based on the 600-series chipsets have a notoriously immature BIOS with deficiencies in memory support, which currently get fixed in new BIOS versions. Additionally, new BIOS versions have solved a lot of widely reported sleep-mode related bugs. Similarly, for Z590 boards, only the very latest BIOS (released a few days ago) seems to finally run to most people's satisfaction.

On AMD, the AGESA 1.2.0.5 microcode for the CPUs (what MSI call "AMD ComboAm4v2PI") used in the previous BIOS versions was quite problematic, see here. Not only do the new BIOS releases with AGESA 1.2.0.6b or 1.2.0.7 fix a lot of those bugs and annoyances, the latter also adds support for the new Ryzen CPUs such as the 5800X3D.

Patching vulnerabilities should be the least of your worries, because security flaws in the programs you use, or even in Windows, are much easier to exploit than some mostly theoretical flaws in the CPU microcode. The main thing is that most new mainboard launches are accompanied by a BIOS that's full of bugs, more or less. Once the boards are sold to the public, the users report all those bugs to MSI and they slowly, but surely, iron them out in new BIOS versions. This is the so-called "bananaware", it ripens at the customer. So it's part of normal aftercare to do BIOS updates. The early BIOS versions are often no good, that's the sad reality nowadays. If you want a system that runs smoothly, you cannot refuse BIOS updates.
 
The Flash BIOS Button method is very picky about the USB sticks sometimes. In fact, the old and cheap USB sticks with small capacity seem to work the best for that method, read here.
You have to simply try with different USB sticks to make it work, don't give up easily.
The 3rd or 4th USB stick does work for me, the others were >8GB or had extra partitions.

The latest BIOS will flash with the bios button procedure, the indicator on the USB key lights up and it successfully reboots after 6 mins.
The two previous bios versions on the same USB key do not light up the activity indicator and the process stalls. And this is formatting the drive -> copying bios file -> renaming to MSI.ROM each time.
I can install the latest bios again and again each and every time guaranteed (and I did, 3-4 times), but i end up with the CPU error diode on ez-debug and a black screen.
 
I'd try more times then, until you get a successful flash. The latest BIOS version will work just fine once it is flashed successfully, it's only something during the flashing that corrupts it sometimes.
At least that's the theory.
 
Trying overnight with V11 (3rd most recent version). I had installed this version successfully when I built this machine in January. Sadly it is a repeatable error for it seems quite a few Z690 boards.
 
I've read about half of this thread with a lot of interest and also sympathy, obviously. It looks like MSI know there is not a system solution but they are unwilling to admit it publicly.

All the BIOS update files are correct, otherwise they would fail on all boards. There is not an indicator, which would sort out the successful boards from the failures – except for the chipset itself. I assume the flaw is inherent to its implementation in the MB architecture. Even if MSI know the cause, they might not be able to identify the bad batch, since its manifestation is random. All units are prone to a failure…

It was possibly triggered by a major upgrade, from which MSI cannot back off, unless they give up key features such as Intel gen. 11 or Win 11 compatibility. I am afraid they've decided to live with this "Russian roulette" as sergeant citay has pointed out. Motherboards are not cars and the production is not worth repairing as a whole. MSI can wait which pieces show faulty. It sounds cynical but pragmatic. Especially if the number of satisfied customers and die hard supporters is high enough.

Once again, I am very thankful for this informative thread and feel for those who sacrificed their time or finances.
 
FYI there is a new official BIOS update for MSI Z490 boards:

Version: 7C73v1B
Release date: 2022-04-19
Description: Update Intel Micro code for security vulnerabilities

However, I do not think it will fix the problem of this thread.
 
Date of failed flashing: 05/13/2022
Affected board model: Z490-A PRO
CPU: i7 10700K
Flashing method used: MSI Center
Attempted update to BIOS version: 7C75v2C
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

Seems like MSI just doesn't care, even months after it was initially reported. I've submitted a ticket, waiting to hear back.

UPDATE: Received a reply this morning, and doesn't appear they read what I said to them (I mentioned I cleared the CMOS, reseated the CPU, used each stick of RAM individually, and mentioned this thread) and then seems like they think just sticking a flash drive in with the BIOS file on it will "flashback" the BIOS on this specific board that doesn't have a flashback feature. This is what they said:
Dear [sir],

Thanks for contacting MSI technical support.

Regarding your concern, please clear CMOs referring to the manual, just install the CPU, one piece of RAM and GPU to retest the motherboard.
If it cannot help, please connect the USB drive which contains the BIOS file to turn on the motherboard and see if the BIOS can be recovered this way. You can download the BIOS file from MSI website below and extract the download files, then just copy the BIOS file to root folder of the USB drive. Thanks!

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z490-A-PRO/support#manual

https://www.msi.com/Motherboard/Z490-A-PRO/support#bios

Thanks for your cooperation in advance!

Best Regards,

MSI Technical Support Team

UPDATE 2: I received my CH341a today and was able to successfully flash 7C75v2A, just as @ozer_erdemu156a02df was able to do on the same model board. It wasn't too difficult, just time consuming to flash. I am now up and running smoothly, and I am now vowing to never perform another BIOS update again on this board until someone confirms the updates are stable again.
In the process, I made a dump of the bad flash of 7C75v2C. If there's anyone smart enough out there who may want to run through this file to see what might be going on, feel free to PM me and I can send you the binary.
Tagging @citay so they can update the stats on the first post.
 
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They sent you a new motherboard?.

I bought a MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS motherboard 2 week ago around and the EZ DEBUG

EZ Debug LED indicator is ON, come with this problem from factory. I changed the cpu two times and nothing happened I5-10400F and i5-11400f.
 
Tell me, is flashing to the latest bios using the AFUWINx64 utility safe? Or are there problems with the firmware only through the BIOS from a USB flash drive or through the MCI Center?
 
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I bought a MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS motherboard 2 week ago around and the EZ DEBUG
EZ Debug LED indicator is ON, come with this problem from factory. I changed the cpu two times and nothing happened I5-10400F and i5-11400f.

If the EZ Debug LED "CPU" didn't come on after a BIOS update, then your problem is something else, most likely. Please start a new thread about it, and include all your hardware (exact models, including PSU especially). EZ Debug LED "CPU" can mean a lot of different things, it's just the first point that the checks can fail. It depends on the context: When it happened, or if it was like that from the start, then with what other hardware.
 
The update from April 28, 2022 for z490 gaming edge wifi has just been released. Version 7C79v1B. Maybe somehow it is safe and can be uploaded? Is there any way to upload it safely? Because I'm already rewinding a few versions, still on February 2021 and it irritates.
 
If the EZ Debug LED "CPU" didn't come on after a BIOS update, then your problem is something else, most likely. Please start a new thread about it, and include all your hardware (exact models, including PSU especially). EZ Debug LED "CPU" can mean a lot of different things, it's just the first point that the checks can fail. It depends on the context: When it happened, or if it was like that from the start, then with what other hardware.

Thank you I solved the problem following this instructions: Regarding your concern, in this case, please unplug the power supply and CMOS battery for a while, after that, unplug all of the devices and then reconnect the CPU/FAN/one RAM module/VGA/PSU to double check it. Please also check if there are any bent pins on the CPU and connect the RAM module to another slot to try. Thanks!
 
Hello

My z490 carbon WiFi was bricked this morning after I updated the Msi center and it promoted a bios update.

I started the update from windows, the update rebooted , completed but since then there's no post.

Took it to the local shop and was told it's bricked.

Thank you Dragon Center and windows update bios.



Date of failed flashing: 20 may 2022
Affected board model: z490 carbon wifi mpg
CPU: Intel i9
Flashing method used: windows dragon center
Attempted update to BIOS version: latest
Result: won't post (also white light no longer on)
 
My z490 carbon WiFi was bricked this morning after I updated the Msi center and it promoted a bios update.

Yes, the blame should fall on MSI. Not even mainly for the original problem (bugs and problems can happen where ever humans work), but for the lack of response and apparent unwillingness or incompetence in solving it, that is, eliminating the danger of bricking with MSI Z490 BIOS updates. Maybe it only affects a certain batch of boards due to a changed component or so, and it is actually unfixable in software, who knows. But then they should clearly communicate this to all the MSI Z490 users that are "at risk" and make a special website about it with further details, as well as offering a speedy RMA with no fuss for the affected users. Sort of like they did with the problematic MSI Coreliquid 240R/360R AiO coolers (better late than never). Instead, they leave it up to unofficial threads like these that can only reach some users, and keep completely quiet about it.


The update from April 28, 2022 for z490 gaming edge wifi has just been released. Version 7C79v1B. Maybe somehow it is safe and can be uploaded? Is there any way to upload it safely? Because I'm already rewinding a few versions, still on February 2021 and it irritates.
Has anyone tried the new update on MPG Z490 Gaming Edge Wifi
AMI BIOS
Version
7C79v1B
Release date
2022-04-28

Maybe this last failure from @ptoderas was already the first one with this newest release. So i wouldn't be too optimistic that this latest BIOS is safe to update to on Z490.
 
Yes, the blame should fall on MSI. Not even mainly for the original problem (bugs and problems can happen where ever humans work), but for the lack of response and apparent unwillingness or incompetence in solving it, that is, eliminating the danger of bricking with MSI Z490 BIOS updates. Maybe it only affects a certain batch of boards due to a changed component or so, and it is actually unfixable in software, who knows. But then they should clearly communicate this to all the MSI Z490 users that are "at risk" and make a special website about it with further details, as well as offering a speedy RMA with no fuss for the affected users. Sort of like they did with the problematic MSI Coreliquid 240R/360R AiO coolers (better late than never). Instead, they leave it up to unofficial threads like these that can only reach some users, and keep completely quiet about it.





Maybe this last failure from @ptoderas was already the first one with this newest release. So i wouldn't be too optimistic that this latest BIOS is safe to update to on Z490.
I genuinely think it happened because of the windows flash method. I should've waited or use USB stick method like I always did.

I can't wait for customer support
 
I genuinely think it happened because of the windows flash method. I should've waited or use USB stick method like I always did.

Well, as you can see from the statistics in the first post, it can happen with either method. You did nothing wrong. I think the MSI Center method also calls the normal BIOS flash mode as well in the end, similar to M-Flash in the BIOS. I also exclusively flash via M-Flash, because i don't even consider installing MSI Center (i don't like that tool, it can mess with your Windows settings and for a lot of its features, there are different ways to do it better). But in this instance, i don't think the risk is much lower if you use M-Flash.

If you can't wait for customer support because you anticipate it will take too long, then you can either try with an external programming tool which seems pretty successful here, or you can outright buy a new board, have your old board replaced/fixed by MSI and sell the replacement board later. As you may have concluded yourself, the Flash BIOS Button can be quite an important feature. At least it helps to eliminate any worry about a BIOS update. Most MSI Z590 boards have one, and they can also take a 10th gen CPU.
 
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