Dell 7540 Precision bios update will not flash, stuck at 0%

Same issue. The computer just shutdown because the batter died.

Just had 4 7540's do this today when I came in. 1 had been running all weekend and still nada. Ended up opening them up, unplugging the battery and plugging them back in. Started up but not a fix...

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Hi, I have a Precission 7540 too - on regular basis my system flashes BIOSes without any issue over LVFS under Linux.
But the first time 1.10.2 to 1.11.2 results in a hang at 0% even after hours of waiting it stucks - FAN seems to spin rather fast btw.
Only solution disconnect AC and wait until Battery drained. Then reboot with the old BIOS ist possible.
Secureboot is disabled all the other security fences as well.
I have read that this Problem appears on devices (inspiron? or Desktop Workstations) with 4K display in particularly. Unfortunately I cant find the source anymore.
However the Flashprogress was the first time in 4k? so there might be some truth behind it. Before all the progressbar's looked rather 90ies -ish. By granularity I would assume below 1080p res.

p.s. I have tried it without and with the WD19TB dockingstation

I have gone thru the Dell support line with all their possible fixes to no resolution. Dell's next step is to replace the motherboard, to which I do not believe is the issue, but will do so to satisfy Dell.  After the replacement I will post whether or not it worked. The tech is supposed to do it today, but I have not yet heard anything from the tech. Wish me luck......

Same boat as you all on my 7740, also with and without the docking station and 4k display.  Eager to hear how it works out for you.

Has anyone tried this method???

Create a bootable USB drive using “Rufus”

https://rufus.ie/

Copy the BIOS update to the bootable USB drive you just created..

Insert USB drive, power-on and start tapping the “ F12 “ key.

Boot from USB and run the BIOS update.

After reboot test and post any results.

Best regards,

U2

I have a Dell 7740 Precision and tried numerous times in applying the bios update. I let it sit over night with no 'hi-res' monitors connected and still was at 0 % on the 'Updating your Firmware' Dell screen. The next step I did was I removed the battery and held the power button down for residual discharge. I tried running the bios update again from the Dell Precision Optimizer App but it kept producing an error message. In the third attempt I was able to boot the laptop back up and manually download the bios executable (and disabled BitLocker). Currently the screen is still stuck  at 0 % on the 'Updating your Firmware' Dell screen. I need a solution ASAP!! Any help would be greatly appreciated!

good luck. I also doubt that it is hardware failure. I'm Developing Measurement Devices for particle accelerator and therefore flashing new firmware is more or less a routine job for me. Coding as well. I have never had a similiar issue where software was not the cause.

It sounds like the BIOS has some issue. 

To be honest I don't have the time to send my system back.

Did it work for you? Basicly I have done this with my system already (Linux native).

..edit sry I thought it is a Linux environment. I will try Rufus since it is dos.

Following steps worked for me:

- copy the Bios update executable to a fat32 USB stick

- make sure that the laptop is not hibernated or shuts down when closing the lid

- connect the laptop to a docking station with one external screen connected (resolution 1920x1200)

- boot laptop with docking station connected, laptop lid open and press F12

- make sure that the screen is duplicated (Fn + F8)

- select Bios flash and close the lid

- select the Bios update executable on the USB stick and follow the steps

- you directly should see a progress

Thank you I will try it later. Btw what is the native resolution of your (built-in) display? And in the bios is Discrete Output "hooked" ? the option aside of "enable switchable graphics".

Hi All,

I have also Dell Precision 7540 and.... following display: "15.6 UltraSharp UHD IGZO 3.840 x 2.160 low-reflection without touch no WWAN, IR camera/microphone + prem panel service 100% Adobe color spectrum". 

There was a post from Awarth about 4K displays with this BIOS flashing issue (big thank you!!!) - which I do believe is a problem, nice work Dell developers!!!! So it made me think, I've plugged laptop to docking station WD19 with connection to BenQ BL2411 of 1920x1200 monitor, I've closed lid and stay connected only to external lower resolution monitor all the time. Then using Dell Command | Update I did successful upgrade - Bingo !!!

Thanks again Awarth, @Anonymous folks, maybe you should look into that.

Best,

Antek

Had the Dell tech come out and here are the results.

1) Tech tried to load new BIOS via all methods per Dell instructions, with same outcome.

2) Tech retrieved another copy of the BIOS from the Dell website and tried to load via all methods per Dell instructions, with same outcome.

3) Tech replaced motherboard, the tried to load BIOS update, with same outcome as with original motherboard. Note: Item 2 was also tested on the new motherboard with same outcome.

4) Tech put back original motherboard, tested to see if BIOS would load, first time was same result, could not shutdown so battery removed & power button pushed for 10 seconds. Hooked up battery then tried to load BIOS again. This time is started to load and went to 100% and machine froze. Had to remove battery & power button action again. Hooked up battery again and the machine began to reboot, but came up with an error stating that the BIOS firmware software update was corrupted and could not complete.

5) Tech removed battery again with power button depressed for 10 seconds, then hooked up battery. Machine begin to boot, indicated an issue with the state of the BIOS and then proceeded to rebuild from the previous version. Machine rebooted to working state as before.

Outcome - Tech and I both agreed that something is wrong with the updated BIOS software update. Tech reported this to Dell person via phone. Del representative via phone had the tech try some additional test to no avail. I am going to wait to see it another update comes out from Dell to see if it fixes things.