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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
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
Last edited:
First I read this thread, which I discovered when gathering info on Z490, then I decided to buy Z590 Gaming Plus. However, it proved to be flawed, and as it was a warehouse deal, no direct replacement possible. So I gave it back and bought Z490, as I had planned originally, for a good price and with later BIOS. I miss the flash button, that's right, but I know about the risk at least.