Download Files
File Format: This file format consists of a BIOS executable file. The Universal (Windows/MS DOS) format can be used to install from any Windows or MS DOS environment.
File Name: Inspiron_3521_1.8.1.exe
File size: 7.01 MB
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5: 6ed3642a19bcee1f99cc9fc345bb14be
SHA1: d519a6a7da8b9bfbf9067aca84ed3cb05a039b7a
SHA-256: 888304fd3f2b247802837ffb8ea8acdfc8d1d87cf6f397a1c9e61e630cc8ef26
File Format: This file format consists of a BIOS Recovery image file. This file is used for the System BIOS Recovery process to recover a system from a corrupted BIOS.
File Name: BIOS_IMG.rcv
File size: 16 MB
To ensure the integrity of your download, please verify the checksum value.
MD5: e955750d0cc964ef2e4c59df20a674bf
SHA1: 031ca1a4db0202038b90a27f31836eac222040f0
SHA-256: f578b7e3616d2e1f4acfb5d3ff17f501f3bfe80f8eeadff139cfacccef14ea7e
Fixes & Enhancements
- Fixed the issue where the incorrect value of OEM is displayed on Diagnostics when the system is connected to the Kingston Photon solid state drive (SSD).
Important Information
- Once the BIOS is upgraded, you cannot downgrade BIOS EXE/Recovery (RCV) to versions earlier than 1.7.0, due to restrictions. BIOS downgrades are restricted when there are security updates and important fixes with earlier versions that impact the functionality of the system.
- BIOS updates take no more than 5 minutes to be installed on your system. You can install the updates in the background while using the system.
Supported Operating Systems
Installation instructions
Updating the BIOS from Windows
Note 1: Before updating the BIOS, ensure that you suspend BitLocker encryption on a BitLocker-enabled system. If BitLocker is not enabled on your system, you can ignore this step. For information about how to disable BitLocker, see How to Enable or Disable BitLocker with TPM in Windows at support.dell.com.
Note 2: Do not turn off the power or interrupt the BIOS update process during the update.
Note 3: Your system requires a restart after installing the BIOS. The restart can be deferred but must be completed to ensure that the update is installed.
Download and Installation
1. Click Download File.
2. Click Save to save the file to your hard drive.
3. Browse to the location where you downloaded the file.
4. Double-click the new file.
The system restarts automatically and updates the BIOS at the system startup screen. After the BIOS update is complete, system restarts again.
Updating the BIOS from BIOS Boot Menu (independent of operating system)
Note 1: Before updating the BIOS, ensure that you suspend BitLocker encryption on a BitLocker-enabled system. If BitLocker is not enabled on your system, you can ignore this step. For information about how to disable BitLocker, see How to Enable or Disable BitLocker with TPM in Windows at support.dell.com.
Note 2: Do not turn off the power or interrupt the BIOS update process during the update.
Note 3: Your system requires a restart after installing the BIOS. The restart can be deferred but must be completed to ensure that the update is installed.
Installation
1. Copy the downloaded file to a USB drive. The USB drive does not need to be bootable device.
2. Insert the USB drive into any USB port.
3. Power on the system.
4. At the DELL logo screen, press F12 to access the one-time boot menu.
5. Select BIOS Flash Update in the Other Options section.
6. Click the ... button to browse the USB drive to locate the downloaded file.
7. Select the file and click Ok.
8. Verify the existing system BIOS information and the BIOS update information.
9. Click Begin Flash Update.
10. Review the Warning message and click Yes to proceed with the update.
The system restarts and displays a progress bar at the Dell logo screen. The system restarts again when the update is complete.
Applies to
Dell Inspiron N3521 System BIOS