What is the BIOS Quick Flash button on the motherboard? How does it work?

Usually found alongside a dedicated USB Flash BIOS port, this little button allows you to update the BIOS or UEFI on your motherboard without installing any hardware, which is handy if you're buying one. the very new server does not yet support certain CPUs.

Read on with TipsMake to learn what the BIOS Flash button is, how to use it, and what to do when the BIOS Flash button doesn't work.

What is the BIOS Flash button on the motherboard?

On the back of the motherboard you'll find the various inputs and outputs needed to connect monitors, USB devices, audio hardware, and any other peripherals. In general, this area is called the motherboard I/O, and the sheet covering it is called the I/O shield.

Some modern motherboards have a special USB port and an included button that allows you to update the system BIOS before booting up the rest of the machine and completing the PC build.

Why do you need to use the BIOS Flash button?

Normally, the BIOS Flash button is used to update the motherboard with a new, previously unsupported CPU-enabled BIOS.

A good example of this is AMD's Ryzen 5000 CPUs. The Ryzen 5000 CPUs are largely compatible with the same motherboards running the previous generation AMD Ryzen 3000 CPUs. But to make sure the motherboard and the new CPUs work properly (or at all), the motherboard BIOS needs to be updated to a new version that supports the newer CPUs.

This is not only for AMD CPUs and compatible motherboards. Intel CPUs and motherboards also have a BIOS Flash button to upgrade hardware support. The process is the same for both hardware manufacturers.

The BIOS Flash button is also very handy if you want to upgrade the BIOS without installing the CPU. On older motherboards, the minimum requirement to update the BIOS is the CPU and possibly a bit of memory (RAM). With these modern motherboards, you no longer have to install a CPU to switch to a newer BIOS version, making it easy to upgrade to the latest hardware.

How do you use the Flash BIOS button?

Using the BIOS Flash button is pretty straightforward. The button itself is clearly marked on the motherboard and is usually found in the I/O area. Furthermore, most manufacturers clearly mark a specific USB port to use for BIOS flashing.

The procedure for using the BIOS Flash button is slightly different from manufacturer to manufacturer, but they are essentially the same. Below you can get an overview of how to use the BIOS Flash button, but always check out the instructions specific to your existing motherboard. Instructions are found on the motherboard manufacturer's website, and you can find them by searching the Internet for the syntax "[motherboard name] flash bios button".

Step 1. Go to the manufacturer's website and download the correct BIOS file for the motherboard. If you are upgrading to support a new CPU, make sure you read the description correctly to make sure the BIOS you choose offers that support.

Step 2. Once the download is complete, extract the files from the archive.

Step 3. Rename the BIOS file to [manufacturer name].bin. The manufacturer's instructions will tell you the exact file name.

Step 4. Now you need a small capacity USB 2.0. Capacity is usually 32GB or less, but must be USB 2.0 unless otherwise stated.

Step 5. This drive must also use the FAT32 file system. Insert the drive into the computer, then right-click and select Format. Under File System, select FAT32. Make sure that Quick Format is selected, then press Start. The formatting process won't take long.

Step 6. Once the drive format is complete, you can copy the renamed BIOS file to the USB root directory. That means only the BIOS file, excluding other folders, is copied directly to the USB.

Step 7. Before inserting the USB BIOS, you need to connect the 24-pin and 8-pin power connector to your motherboard (otherwise it won't turn on).

Step 8. After connecting the power supply, you can plug the USB into the manufacturer-specified USB Flash BIOS port on the motherboard.

Now, once the power has been turned on, press the BIOS Flash button.

Flashing the BIOS can take up to 10 minutes (sometimes longer), depending on the size of the new BIOS installation. Most motherboards with a BIOS Flash button also have a progress indicator, be it a blinking LED or a visual display on the motherboard. Once the process is complete, the motherboard will reboot or may shut down depending on the manufacturer. If the BIOS flashing process takes more than 15 to 20 minutes, then you should try again.

Hope you are succesful.

Marvin Fry

Update 13 September 2021