XPS 8940, Windows 11, NVMe firmware error

Here is my solution to the error message in the device manager after installing NVMe firmware 36.30.80.29 (with an existing Samsung PM9A1 NVNe):

After a few unsuccessful attempts, I reset my computer to the current firmware 36.30.80.29. Check in the bios whether version 2.5.1 is available. Start the computer and search the Internet for the Samsung driver on the Dell site:

Samsung PM9A1 PCIe Gen3 NVMe Solid State Drive Firmware_N0MNR_WIN64_3630.8029_A00

Download the driver and put it in a folder on the desktop (here I had created a new folder and only saved the driver).

Then go to device manager, right click on firmware 36.30.80.29 and select update driver. In the opened window select Drivers on my computer, in the next window browse location and select the new folder and then install.

The driver for the Samsung PM9A1 in the firmware is now overwritten.

Restart the computer and I hope the error message is gone (as it was for me) and everything is o.k.

Install the firmware 36.30.80.29 again via the Dell Updater.

Restart the computer and I think your error message is gone. If yes, install the downloaded driver for the Samsung PM9A1 directly (double click). I keep my fingers crossed!

Unfortunately this doesn't work for me. The computer restarts and the message "Firmware Update Failed" appears...

@bigfraggle007 

@RoHe 

@roadrunner15 

@NeighborGeek 

@DELLSPACER 

You will have to reinstall windows or boot to safe mode then change RAID to AHCI.

Once thats done you must install the samsung NVME driver which is not native to Windows.

This device cannot start. (Code 10) The error code 10 is a common driver error. It indicates that the driver for the specific device is failing to load. Therefore, you can fix the problem by focusing on device drivers.

The optane RST driver may work with other vendors but INTEL and Samsung have specific drivers for their PCI-E nvme SSD's

The samsung drivers are here

samsung storage support tools

Samsung_NVM_Express_Driver

Use Care when changing from RAID to AHCI or windows will not boot error out with STOP 7B inaccessible boot device.  You will be able to install the samsung DELL oem firmware only with sata operation set AHCI.

*************************************************

DELL systems BIOS DEFAULT is RAID ON Intel Rapid Storage Technology/OPTANE.
MANY SSD drives REQUIRE using AHCI for firmware including INTEL and SAMSUNG.
To switch operation from either IDE / RAID to AHCI without having to reinstall.
Here are the steps:
Click the Start Button and type cmd
Right-click the result and select Run as administrator
Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /set safeboot minimal
Restart the computer and enter F2 BIOS Setup
Change the SATA Operation from RAID ON to AHCI
Save changes and exit Setup and Windows will automatically boot to Safe Mode with black background. Do not panic at this point its normal.
Right-click the Windows Start Menu once more. Choose Command Prompt (Admin).
Type this command and press ENTER: bcdedit /deletevalue safeboot
Reboot once more and Windows will automatically start SATA OPERATION as AHCI.
You can then install the samsung NVME Driver
Then reboot again.
Then install the DELL FIRMWARE.

Here is the link to download the Samsung PM9A1 256GB/512GB/1TB 3630.8029 firmware update.

@bigfraggle007 

BCDEdit from safe mode works fine.

Its not however a one click one reboot , water chicken install 10 second fix.

YMMV. Lots of links to the same thing.  I never suggest something I haven't tried myself.

Thinkcritical switch win10 from raid to ahci

Samsung PM9A1 Gen3 3630.9029 MDKMG
December 9, 2022
Compatible Systems = shows XPS 8940

Samsung PM9A1 Gen3 3630.8029 N0MNR
January 17, 2022
Compatible Systems = does NOT show XPS 8940

Samsung PM9A1 Gen4 3630.9229 43JVK
December 9, 2022
Compatible Systems = shows XPS 8940 and XPS 8950

Samsung PM9A1 Gen4 3630.8229 V22YD
January 17, 2022
Compatible Systems = shows XPS 8940

Samsung PM9A1 Gen4 3630.8129 51RX6
January 17, 2022
Compatible Systems = shows XPS 8940

doesn't matter, I call several times, they work on it for hour, nothing helps, they told me reinstall PC, did not help, other support lady with a dog in background told me she is not train for that, other guy told me my warranty is not caverning issue as this,......
I just roll back to previous driver and problem solved.

Can you tell me which old driver you took exactly and where you found it?

I Had the same problem.  The issue was that the driver was corrupted.  The below link fixed it for me.

Samsung PM9A1 PCIe Gen3 NVMe Solid State Drive Firmware Update | Driver Details | Dell US

Unfortunately, this driver is already installed. A new installation does not help here.

I'm having this problem with my NVME Micron 3400. There was an update for the firmware in Windows update. After I installed the update, this is what device manager lists under the driver tab provider as Dell, Inc. date 3/24/2022 version 34.0.0.50 signer Microsoft Windows Hardware Compatibility Publisher.

This is what it lists under the firmware tab vender Dell, Inc. date 03/24/2022 version 34000040

So, I went to Dell's website and saw a Micron firmware driver listed but it has an earlier date of 3/15/2022 so I'm not sure if I should try and install that one or not.

Problem is Windows update is trying to push a bad Driver through, and in process creating a Diver nightmare. Thing is its only pushing that cause Dell has digitally signed that driver through Windows update. Cause ironically if its NVMe driver as @DELL-Chris M said none of those will install cause on My XPS 8940 I am supposed to have a Gen 4 Samsung 1tb PM9A1 yet updater won't recognize it!

Yes, I having the same issue., plus my monitor  screen shaking since I bought it. The IT  support manager suggested to clearly reinstalled OS, but the screen shaking issue is coming  back. I feeling I made mistake bought this mode.