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ClaussenDB
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August 28th, 2026 17:08
Secure Boot Error After NIC Firmware Upgrade
I’ll try to keep a long story short.
I have 12 Dell PowerEdge R660 servers that I was updating with VMware ESXi patches. At the same time, I decided to apply Dell firmware updates through OpenManage. The updates included BIOS, BOSS, and NIC firmware for the three different NICs installed in these servers.
These servers were built with Secure Boot enabled. Side note: I would not recommend using Secure Boot unless you absolutely have to.
After the firmware updates completed, I was watching the iDRAC virtual console and saw the following error during boot:
R660 UEFI0072: Unable to load the firmware from the device Integrated NIC 1 Port 1 Partition 1 because of the Secure Boot Policy
I can press F1 to continue past the error, and the server boots normally afterward. However, it will not continue past this message without manual intervention.
I have been working with Dell Support for several weeks, with most of the testing being done on my end. I have updated the BIOS, iDRAC, and NIC firmware using the versions available on Dell’s support site for my service tag. One thing I noticed is that the updates did not always appear under the Maintenance tab in iDRAC.
I have also fully removed power from the server for five minutes, but that made no difference. At this point, I have tried nearly everything I can think of without success.
Dell Support’s next recommendation is to reseat the network card in question. I am willing to try that, but I strongly suspect this is actually an issue with the NIC firmware key, certificate, or signature not being accepted by the BIOS Secure Boot policy.
I also tried disabling Secure Boot, but ESXi then booted to a Purple Screen of Death, so disabling Secure Boot is not a viable option.
Has anyone run into this issue before, or does anyone have suggestions on what else to check?
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Posted September 1st, 2026 13:37
@DELL-Bridjet V It was set for VMware Boot. I changed it to Standard after seeing that on one of my searches. That did not make any difference. I have changed it back to VMware Boot.
I found this on Friday, but I am a bit nervous to try it:
On a Dell PowerEdge R660, you can restore Secure Boot certificates either from BIOS/iDRAC menus or with RACADM.
From BIOS Setup
Reboot the server.
Press F2 at the Dell logo.
Go to System BIOS.
Open System Security.
Go to Secure Boot.
Look for Secure Boot Policy / Secure Boot Policy Summary / Restore Secure Boot Policy.
Choose Restore Factory Defaults or Restore Default Secure Boot Certificates.
Save changes and reboot.Dell’s wording varies by BIOS/iDRAC version, but the goal is to reset the Secure Boot key database back to Dell factory defaults.
Any thoughts on that option?
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Posted September 2nd, 2026 07:02
Hi @ClaussenDB,
Before applying the option, could you share the NIC card model installed and the version of the NIC firmware currently installed as well as the BIOS and iDRAC firmware version?
Regards,
DELL-Bridjet V
Social Media and Communities Professional
Dell Technologies | Enterprise Support Services
#IWork4Dell
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Posted September 2nd, 2026 09:04
Hello @DELL-Bridjet V
I´ve got exactly the same issue on all of our PowerEdge R660xs servers with VMware ESXi installed.
ESXi Version 9.1.0.0200.25557999 Vendor Addon Dell Addon for PowerEdge Servers 9100-A02 The issues occures immediatelly after these updates applied
After the update FW and reboot I´ve got on all servers this error message:
F1 solve the issue and VMware started till the next reboot.
Regards,
Petr
DELL-Bridjet V
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Posted August 31st, 2026 08:02
Hi @ClaussenDB,
You may try this step and check -
Check the BIOS Secure Boot configuration.
On the R660:
F2 → System BIOS → System Security → Secure Boot
Check:
If you're using Custom, change it to Standard.
Refer Table 3 - Dell PowerEdge R660 Installation and Service Manual
Regards,
DELL-Bridjet V
Social Media and Communities Professional
Dell Technologies | Enterprise Support Services
#IWork4Dell
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