XPS 13 cannot update BIOS

Question

Hi everyone,

I have a XPS 13 and I've been trying to update the BIOS. The Dell update programme in Windows doesn't work (restarts and boots again to Windows without attempting to flash the BIOS). I then downloaded manually the BIOS update (XPS_9370_1.21.0.exe) and put it on a flash disk. I get to the boot menu and can select the "BIOS flash update" menu. I can locate and load the file, it's recognized properly. I then click on "begin flash update" as indicated on this site: https://www.dell.com/support/kbdoc/en-us/000128928/flashing-the-bios-from-the-f12-one-time-boot-menu and click "yes" when prompted "would you like to proceed".

Then the computer restarts and boots onto Windows directly, seemingly skipping the flash update.

Is there something configured wrong on my BIOS that somehow makes it skip the flash update sequence?

NB: I'm on Windows 11 home (no BitLocker, etc.).

Thanks in advance,

Julien

ejn63 · Answer

Are you using the correct firmware for your system? There are many XPS 13 models -- including some with the same model numbers but totally different system boards, requiring different firmware (such as the XPS 9310 and 9310 2-in-1).

Saltgrass · Answer

This has been happening for the last couple of years with my XPS 13 9365. I have been able to update when it is offered through Windows but doing it directly does not seem to work.

There was someone who had a workaround, but I don't know what that is.

Julien11 · Answer

It's been indeed more than a year for me and it was working before when I was updating it via Windows. As it started not to work any more, I dug other ways to flash the BIOS (recommended as "urgent" by Dell for my model) and found out that even when I try with the boot menu, the problem persists.

In case you can find back the workaround, don't hesitate, thanks!

Julien11 · Answer

Hi Xenon, thanks for the suggestion. I'm using the right one, I have a XPS 9370.

XPS

XPS 13 cannot update BIOS

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