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

[citay]

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,

https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/msi-meg-z490i-unify-not-booting-after-successful-upgrade.364845/#post-2070108

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,

https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/msi-mpg-z490-gaming-plus-bios-chip-location.366165/#post-2075572

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

 

[citay]

You seem to have a different cause of the problem, only with a similar symptom. You have to check the EZ Debug LEDs. If the CPU LED is on directly after flashing, then chances are that you have the problem discussed in this thread. If no LED or the DRAM/VGA/BOOT LED is on, then you have a different problem and it just appears similar on the surface. For example, with your solutions of swapping GPUs/monitors, it's more likely you have a temporary problem related to this.

Don't get me wrong, i would be thrilled for all the people waiting for a fix if it would be that easy to get their boards working again. But not getting an image after updating the BIOS can have a bunch of different reasons that are not connected to the problem in this thread, even if having an MSI Z490 board might make you think it's this. At the very least, you have to pay attention to the EZ Debug LEDs, and if the CPU LED is not on, it simply can't be what we talk about here.

 

[Doc_Bucket]

I had the same issue a few weeks ago. First time I updated my Z490 motherboard to bios 7C80v1C so I could run my new 11th gen i9 11900k cpu. I followed the instructions to a T. It blacked screened so I swapped my old it i5 10900k cpu. Still the same issue. Because I wasn't sure if it had anything to do with the video card. I figured it was worth a shot to change video cards as a test. I run an RTX 3080 MSI card z490 mb and an Alienware Alienware 240hz 4k monitor. So I pulled out the video card and disconnected the monitor. I put in my old eVGA GTX 580 Classified card and my 10 year old 22inch HP monitor. Not sure if it was coincidence or not but it fired up. It was a little hangy until I did another restart. But as soon as everything seemed stable I put the 3080 back in and the Alienware monitor. Everything was working great. Well today I did a MSI center update under the advanced tab. Now I can't recall what it even was and now I'm back to a black screen. I'm going to give back through the same process of changing cards and monitor. I'll get back to share if it cures the problem again.

Okay update. Yes when I pull the MSI 3080 card out and put my old eVGA GTX 580 Classified card in and connect my old HP VGA monitor it works again. First boot says no GOP drivers are installed. Or something like that. Then I reboot again and it starts like normal. I can put my 3080 back in and everything will work properly. So what's going on? Is there a default vga driver for old version GPU's that is not default in the bios for new GPU's? Some one smarter than me needs to explain why this fixes the black screen issue twice weeks apart with two different updates.

The question is, whether the Debug led got stuck at CPU after updating to 7C80v1C. If not, it might have been a different problem. There was a user reporting that when he checked the relevant BIOS chip on the motherboard after a failed update, the reading was somehow empty. Although I cannot affirm whether his case was specific or if the chip is deleted as a general rule, the CPU led on is a common symptom. It is the case now as well?

 

[Doc_Bucket]

You seem to have a different cause of the problem, only with a similar symptom. You have to check the EZ Debug LEDs. If the CPU LED is on directly after flashing, then chances are that you have the problem discussed in this thread. If no LED or the DRAM/VGA/BOOT LED is on, then you have a different problem and it just appears similar on the surface. For example, with your solutions of swapping GPUs/monitors, it's more likely you have a temporary problem related to this.

Don't get me wrong, i would be thrilled for all the people waiting for a fix if it would be that easy to get their boards working again. But not getting an image after updating the BIOS can have a bunch of different reasons that are not connected to the problem in this thread, even if having an MSI Z490 board might make you think it's this. At the very least, you have to pay attention to the EZ Debug LEDs, and if the CPU LED is not on, it simply can't be what we talk about here.

Good Lord! Now it must look like I am your watered down shadow . You must have posted it seconds before me…

 

[s_coffma155b02d9]

You seem to have a different cause of the problem, only with a similar symptom. You have to check the EZ Debug LEDs. If the CPU LED is on directly after flashing, then chances are that you have the problem discussed in this thread. If no LED or the DRAM/VGA/BOOT LED is on, then you have a different problem and it just appears similar on the surface. For example, with your solutions of swapping GPUs/monitors, it's more likely you have a temporary problem related to this.

Don't get me wrong, i would be thrilled for all the people waiting for a fix if it would be that easy to get their boards working again. But not getting an image after updating the BIOS can have a bunch of different reasons that are not connected to the problem in this thread, even if having an MSI Z490 board might make you think it's this. At the very least, you have to pay attention to the EZ Debug LEDs, and if the CPU LED is not on, it simply can't be what we talk about here.

Nope it's exactly the same problem as you described. Same light same everything. Besides what's the chances that the two times it has accrued (black screen) after update and same light, but different problem?

 

[citay]

You must have posted it seconds before me…

It was probably just on the next page or something.

Nope it's exactly the same problem as you described. Same light same everything.

If you get the CPU LED, then the chances are higher that it was this problem indeed. Or rather, that's the minimum requirement for it to be able to be this problem. It's still no definitive proof, as the CPU LED can have a lot of causes, as it's simply the first point of the checks that can fail. But it became a lot more likely to be this problem, i'll give you that.

One thing; Out of well over 150 people just here on the forum that didn't have a Flash BIOS Button or an external programming device to save them, how many you think will have tried to get their system going again with different spare parts they had, including other graphics cards? After over 1 1/2 years of this problem, surely you can't be the first one?

Don't get me wrong, if this is a potential solution, that would be very nice indeed, but i doubt it. Anyway, i cannot try it myself, as i don't actually have a Z490 board or ever had one (went from Z390 to Z590), and i'm just trying to help people with this thread. But other people with affected boards are encouraged to try this and give some feedback.

 

[s_coffma155b02d9]

It was probably just on the next page or something.



If you get the CPU LED, then the chances are higher that it was this problem indeed. Or rather, that's the minimum requirement for it to be able to be this problem. It's still no definitive proof, as the CPU LED can have a lot of causes, as it's simply the first point of the checks that can fail. But it became a lot more likely to be this problem, i'll give you that.

One thing; Out of well over 150 people just here on the forum that didn't have a Flash BIOS Button or an external programming device to save them, how many you think will have tried to get their system going again with different spare parts they had, including other graphics cards? After over 1 1/2 years of this problem, surely you can't be the first one?

Don't get me wrong, if this is a potential solution, that would be very nice indeed, but i doubt it. Anyway, i cannot try it myself, as i don't actually have a Z490 board or ever had one (went from Z390 to Z590), and i'm just trying to help people with this thread. But other people with affected boards are encouraged to try this and give some feedback.

Surely I couldn't be the first one eh? Well what's the chances that it has happened to me twice on two different update in a span of a few weeks and that neither of them were related to this problem with the exact reported issues that happened to me? I don't know you tell me. It sounds more like you have a point to make that you don't like what MSI has done one their board. We can all agree with that. My post has nothing to do with what MSI has done right or wrong. I simply read this post and added a possible solution. It might not help anyone. But if it does help one person that does have the ability to try this solution what's the harm? It's worked for me why not for someone else?

 

[citay]

Did i say anything against that? I encouraged people to try this. I was just sceptical if this is suddenly the solution, and you have to forgive my scepticism after over 1 1/2 of neither us on the forum nor MSI getting on top of the problem. Also, you cleared up that you in fact did get the CPU LED, so i admitted it would be much more likely for it to be this problem, so...

 

[roger.piepenstoc15a502e6]

Hi,
I was blissfully unaware that there was this issue and tried to update the bios.
I will try the graphic card swap to see if this resolved the issue and give you an update

Date of failed flashing: Dec 30, 2022
Affected board model: MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS
CPU: Intel Core i5-10700K
Flashing method used: USB
Attempted update to BIOS version: 7C75vAC
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

 

[s_coffma155b02d9]

Hi,
I was blissfully unaware that there was this issue and tried to update the bios.
I will try the graphic card swap to see if this resolved the issue and give you an update

Date of failed flashing: Dec 30, 2022
Affected board model: MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS
CPU: Intel Core i5-10700K
Flashing method used: USB
Attempted update to BIOS version: 7C75vAC
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

The old card and monitor I used to get it working was DVI card and monitor. The card and monitor that wouldn't work was DisplayPort I'm not sure if that had any anything to do with it.

 

[Doc_Bucket]

Hi,
I was blissfully unaware that there was this issue and tried to update the bios.
I will try the graphic card swap to see if this resolved the issue and give you an update

Date of failed flashing: Dec 30, 2022
Affected board model: MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS
CPU: Intel Core i5-10700K
Flashing method used: USB
Attempted update to BIOS version: 7C75vAC
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

One user also succeeded with some wild RAM swapping, if you are interested:

https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?threads/warning-z490-boards-problem-with-recent-bios-updates.367575/post-2146076

However, it looks like the CH341A programmer way is the most successful.

 

[pjmb]

Hi,
I was blissfully unaware that there was this issue and tried to update the bios.
I will try the graphic card swap to see if this resolved the issue and give you an update

Date of failed flashing: Dec 30, 2022
Affected board model: MPG Z490 GAMING PLUS
CPU: Intel Core i5-10700K
Flashing method used: USB
Attempted update to BIOS version: 7C75vAC
Result: Stuck at EZ Debug LED "CPU" after update.

Hey, any updates on your situation, recover method used or still broken?
Really confused on the method to try, AFUWIN in OS or SVET UEFI.
Im currently on the 1rst release 7C75vA0 2020-03-25, the motherboard its not broken...but surely would like to update it...

EDIT: Prepared myself for the worst, CLRcmos, AFU/FPT backups and succeed using SVET v19 EFI, his ME FW update didnt update it, so later performed manual FWupdt 14.1.67.2046
So now on latest bios 7C75vAC 2022-06-15 and no issue to report.

 

[lava.em15b502e4]

hallo sir, i have problem with my Z490 gaming carbon wifi, yesterday i was update my bios to latest version 7C73v1C with m-flash menu, im sure it was successful 100%, but now my PC cannot display anything, i try everything like someone in this thread to put just 1 RAM, pull out cmos battery, pull out GPU card, now i cant go to bios menu for flashback

after read some page in this thread, im assuming the problem latest version just supports intel 11th gen, it is right ? i dont know its led bug or not, but may it can help explaining my PC, sory if its large image

Spoiler: LED Debug maybe ?

and if i just upgrade my 10th gen to 11th gen it will fix ? ot just replaced my Motherboard ?

My pc spec :
i7-10700K
MPG Z490 Gaming carbon wifi
Trident Z 16x2gb

 

[Doc_Bucket]

hallo sir, i have problem with my Z490 gaming carbon wifi, yesterday i was update my bios to latest version 7C73v1C with m-flash menu, im sure it was successful 100%, but now my PC cannot display anything, i try everything like someone in this thread to put just 1 RAM, pull out cmos battery, pull out GPU card, now i cant go to bios menu for flashback

If you cannot get into BIOS at all, then I would suggest using CH341A programmer to flash the new version, or any version, for that matter, because there's most likely no working version in the motherboard at the moment. A few pages back there is a post with instructions, or there's a nice video by Adamant IT on Youtube how to flash a new BIOS using the programmer.

10th or 11th gen CPU should not make any difference in terms od resolving the problem. The latest BIOS must work with both generations. In any case, the programmer is by far much cheaper than a new CPU.

 

[lava.em15b502e4]

If you cannot get into BIOS at all, then I would suggest using CH341A programmer to flash the new version, or any version, for that matter, because there's most likely no working version in the motherboard at the moment. A few pages back there is a post with instructions, or there's a nice video by Adamant IT on Youtube how to flash a new BIOS using the programmer.

10th or 11th gen CPU should not make any difference in terms od resolving the problem. The latest BIOS must work with both generations. In any case, the programmer is by far much cheaper than a new CPU.

wow sir, i think i cant do that, beside i dont have the stuf and tool like that, i also dont have experienced on that thing, just want to know if i upgrade my intel 10 gen to 11 gen will work again or not, and if it work maybe thats worth for additional feature like upgrade PCIe gen 3 to 4, but the problem not all computer shop in my city have 11gen unit for the test

If uprage to 11 gen will work i will buy that, but if doesn't work, i will replace my motherboard

or maybe another people can give me alternative way to make PC work again, even i must replace some unit its oke for cheaper way

im little stressed now just because update the bios, how can latest version will broke everything

 

[Doc_Bucket]

wow sir, i think i cant do that, beside i dont have the stuf and tool like that, i also dont have experienced on that thing, just want to know if i upgrade my intel 10 gen to 11 gen will work again or not, and if it work maybe thats worth for additional feature like upgrade PCIe gen 3 to 4, but the problem not all computer shop in my city have 11gen unit for the test

If uprage to 11 gen will work i will buy that, but if doesn't work, i will replace my motherboard

or maybe another people can give me alternative way to make PC work again, even i must replace some unit its oke for cheaper way

im little stressed now just because update the bios, how can latest version will broke everything

If the problem was caused by a failed BIOS update, then my best guess is the board is bricked now and will not work with any CPU until you flash a new BIOS file into it.

It is a bit of a hassle, I know, but that's how things work.

 

[citay]

Sadly, your board is temporarily unusable with any CPU, doesn't matter if 10th or 11th gen, because it suffers from the problem i described in the first post. Meaning, a rare condition that can happen on MSI Z490 boards where your BIOS becomes corrupted during the flashing, and all you get is the CPU LED afterwards. Now the BIOS has to be repaired. The Z490 GAMING CARBON WIFI has no Flash BIOS Button, so the best option is to use an external flash programming device. These things are pretty cheap, but you have to do some research how to do it. You have to use that device to clamp onto the BIOS chip and flash the latest BIOS from here, using this kind of method.

"MXIC 25L25673G", this chip with 256 in the name is the BIOS chip, 256 Mbit (= 32 MB) flash size, the usual BIOS size nowadays:



You can clamp on there with the flash programmer and flash it externally that way. Or take it to a PC store in your area and ask if they can flash the chip for a small fee.
Or as a last resort, sell the board as "corrupt BIOS, otherwise ok", so people who fixed a BIOS chip before can fix it up for themselves, and you upgrade to something newer.

 

[lava.em15b502e4]

If the problem was caused by a failed BIOS update, then my best guess is the board is bricked now and will not work with any CPU until you flash a new BIOS file into it.

It is a bit of a hassle, I know, but that's how things work.

Nah, im sure 100% when i flash bios is successful and after that my PC auto restart, then that happen, is that possible bios failed update after that notification successful ?

Sadly, your board is temporarily unusable with any CPU, doesn't matter if 10th or 11th gen, because it suffers from the problem i described in the first post. Meaning, a rare condition that can happen on MSI Z490 boards where your BIOS becomes corrupted during the flashing, and all you get is the CPU LED afterwards. Now the BIOS has to be repaired. The Z490 GAMING CARBON WIFI has no Flash BIOS Button, so the best option is to use an external flash programming device. These things are pretty cheap, but you have to do some research how to do it. You have to use that device to clamp onto the BIOS chip and flash the latest BIOS from here, using this kind of method.

"MXIC 25L25673G", this chip with 256 in the name is the BIOS chip, 256 Mbit (= 32 MB) flash size, the usual BIOS size nowadays:

View attachment 169090

You can clamp on there with the flash programmer and flash it externally that way. Or take it to a PC store in your area and ask if they can flash the chip for a small fee.
Or as a last resort, sell the board as "corrupt BIOS, otherwise ok", so people who fixed a BIOS chip before can fix it up for themselves, and you upgrade to something newer.

if i sell the motherboard with failed bios how much price i must offer for that ? because i dont have experience and time for doing flash bios from external program i decided better to sell this

 

[citay]

if i sell the motherboard with failed bios how much price i must offer for that ? because i dont have experience and time for doing flash bios from external program i decided better to sell this

It's difficult to say what would be a good price. But first i would ask in PC shops around your area if they can flash a BIOS chip. Also, in some cities there are things like a "repair café" or "makerspace" or "hackerspace" or places like that, where people help repair electronic devices. They might be able to help with this as well. Usually they just want a small donation for helping you.

 

[lava.em15b502e4]

It's difficult to say what would be a good price. But first i would ask in PC shops around your area if they can flash a BIOS chip. Also, in some cities there are things like a "repair café" or "makerspace" or "hackerspace" or places like that, where people help repair electronic devices. They might be able to help with this as well. Usually they just want a small donation for helping you.

ok sir, thanks for your help, maybe better for buy new MB because i need my PC back asap for work.
after that i try to find out the place can repair my z490 for minimum disadvantage

 

[citay]

That sounds like a plan. By the way, when you get a new board, i would suggest a Z590 this time (from MSI, anything above a PRO model is good). It works with 10th gen CPUs too. And then you can update the BIOS to the newest version right away, before booting Windows. Why? On Z590 there is no need to worry. First, the corrupt BIOS only happens on Z490 sometimes. Second, those boards have a Flash BIOS Button, so you could recover from a bad flash. So you can have the newest BIOS which is prepared for Win11 and has all the bugfixes, without much risk.