This article provides information about BIOS or UEFI on Dell computers. Learn how to access the BIOS or UEFI on a Dell computer. Find information about how to download and install the latest BIOS update on a Dell computer.
Summary:
This article provides information about BIOS or UEFI on Dell computers. Learn how to access the BIOS or UEFI on a Dell computer. Find information about how to download and install the
latest BIOS update on a Dell computer.
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Symptoms
How to Update the System BIOS
Watch this YouTube video to learn how to download and install the latest BIOS on a Dell computer.
Duration: 04:07 Closed captions: Click the gear icon, and then select auto-translate.
Introduction to BIOS
BIOS also called System Setup is an acronym for Basic Input or Output System. Modern Dell computers come with Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). BIOS or UEFI is firmware that is embedded on a small memory chip on the computer's system board or motherboard. It acts as an interface between the computer's hardware and the operating system.
The BIOS or UEFI activates all the basic hardware that is required to boot the operating system when the computer is turned on. This includes but is not limited to:
Chipset
Processor and cache
System memory or RAM
Video and audio controllers
Keyboard and mouse
Internal disk drives
Network controllers
Internal expansion cards
To access the BIOS or System Setup on Dell computers:
Press the F2 key several times at the Dell logo screen during startup.
Or, press the F12 key several times at the Dell logo screen during startup, and select BIOS Setup or System Setup from the menu.
NOTE: The BIOS or UEFI interface may differ between different Dell computers. To learn how to navigate the BIOS on your Dell computer, see the user guide of your Dell computer.
WARNING: The BIOS or UEFI interface is designed for advanced computer users. Changing certain settings could prevent the computer from completing the power on self-test (POST), prevent the operating system from loading, or a potential loss of data.
Cause
No cause information available.
Resolution
How to update the BIOS on a Dell computer
Dell Technologies recommends updating the BIOS as part of your scheduled update cycle. BIOS updates can often fix problems, add features, or both to the BIOS. BIOS update contains feature enhancements or changes that help keep the system software current and compatible with other computer modules (hardware, firmware, drivers, and software). BIOS update also provides security updates and increased stability.
Dell provides an easy-to-use self-installing BIOS update utility. Critical BIOS updates are also pushed through Windows Update.
WARNING: Ensure to back up your data before attempting to update the BIOS. Errors during a BIOS update may result in potential loss of data.
WARNING: Disconnect devices such as external USB drives, printers, and scanners before updating the BIOS on the computer.
WARNING: Dell laptop battery must be charged to at least 10% before you begin updating the BIOS. Dell Technologies recommends running the laptop on AC power before proceeding with the update process.
CAUTION: Disable BitLocker before proceeding to update the BIOS on the Dell computer. If BitLocker is not suspended, the next time you reboot the computer it will not recognize the BitLocker key. You are prompted to enter the recovery key to progress, and the computer asks for the recovery key on each reboot. If the recovery key is unknown, this can result in data loss or unnecessary operating system reinstallation.
NOTE: You must be logged in as an administrator to install the BIOS update on your Dell computer.
NOTE: You must be logged in as an administrator to download and install the SupportAssist app on your Dell computer.
NOTE: Gradually update the BIOS version, if the BIOS version that is installed on your computer is out of date by more than two versions. It avoids compatibility issues. Learn: How to check the BIOS version on your computer
BIOS update for Dell computers are available for download at https://www.dell.com/support/drivers. Critical BIOS updates are also pushed through Windows Update.
NOTE: BIOS update may not be available for all Dell computers.
Dell provides an easy-to-use self-installing BIOS update utility. Critical BIOS updates are also pushed through Windows Update.
WARNING: Ensure to back up your data before attempting to update the BIOS. Errors during a BIOS update may result in potential loss of data.
WARNING: Disconnect devices such as external USB drives, printers, scanners before updating the BIOS on the computer.
WARNING: Dell laptop battery must be charged to at least 10% before you begin the BIOS update. Dell Technologies recommends running the laptop on AC power before proceeding with the update process.
CAUTION: Disable BitLocker before proceeding to update the BIOS on the Dell computer. If BitLocker is not suspended, the next time you reboot the computer it will not recognize the BitLocker key. You are prompted to enter the recovery key to progress, and the computer asks for the recovery key on each reboot. If the recovery key is unknown, this can result in data loss or unnecessary operating system reinstallation.
NOTE: You must be logged in as an administrator to install the BIOS update on your Dell computer.
NOTE: You must be logged in as an administrator to download and install the SupportAssist app on your Dell computer.
Download the latest BIOS update file and save it to the USB drive.
NOTE: Make a note of the BIOS update file. For example, O9010A12.exe.
Power off the Dell computer.
Connect the USB drive and restart the Dell computer.
Press F12 key at the Dell logo screen to enter One Time Boot Menu.
Using the arrow keys, select USB Storage Device and press Enter key.
At the command prompt, type the BIOS filename and press Enter key. For example, O9010A12.exe.
Follow the instructions in the BIOS Update Utility screen to complete the update process.
NOTE: Newer versions of Dell BIOS may use long filenames. Rename the downloaded file to eight characters or less to run the file in the command prompt.
WARNING: Do not turn off the computer during the BIOS update process.
WARNING: Dell laptop battery must be charged to at least 10% before you begin the BIOS update. Dell Technologies recommends running the laptop on AC power before proceeding with the update process.
WARNING: If BitLocker is not suspended before updating the BIOS, the computer will not recognize the BitLocker key after the restart. You are prompted to enter the recovery key to progress on each reboot.
WARNING: If the recovery key is not known, this can result in data loss or unnecessary operating system reinstallation.
A corrupt BIOS is one of the possible causes of your computer unable to complete POST or some times even boot into the operating system. BIOS Recovery tool is software that is designed to recover a corrupted BIOS based on Boot Block Technology. The software's main feature is to provide flexibility to recover the corrupted BIOS. It uses a BIOS recovery file from the computer's primary hard disk drive or an external USB drive.
If your Dell computer or tablet supports BIOS recovery, you can recover the corrupt BIOS using the BIOS recovery method on your Dell computer or tablet. Learn more about: BIOS Recovery options on a Dell computer or Tablet
The information stored in the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) known as Extended System Configuration Data (ESCD) can occasionally become corrupted. This is due to various situations such as power events, incorrect settings by the user, hardware incompatibility due to a specific setting, or a No POST or No Video scenario. In these cases, it is sometimes necessary to reset the BIOS or Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) to "Factory Defaults" or in other circumstances, clear the Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM).
WARNING: The BIOS or UEFI interface is designed for advanced computer users. Changing certain settings could prevent your computer from starting correctly, prevent the operating system from booting or a potential loss of data.
The BIOS or UEFI firmware offers the ability to set lower-level passwords. This allows you to restrict a user from booting the computer, booting to a removable USB device, and changing the BIOS or UEFI settings without permission.
There are three types of passwords that can be set in the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings.
Supervisor or Admin password - The admin password enables several security features. Enabling this setting restricts a user from changing the BIOS or UEFI firmware settings.
User or System password - This setting restricts a user from completing the power on self-test (POST) process without the correct password.
Hard drive password - This option restricts a user from accessing the internal hard disk drive without the correct password.
The BIOS or UEFI firmware offers the ability to set lower-level passwords. This allows you to restrict a user from booting the computer, booting to a removable USB device, and changing the BIOS or UEFI settings without permission.
You can run the Microsoft windows update search and check if it is listing the latest Dell BIOS:
Once your computer has booted into the OS, open the settings application. Click Windows Update.
Pressing the Win + I keys down simultaneously and then releasing them together is a keyboard shortcut to open the settings.
Run the update search for new updates.
Click Advanced Options.
Click Optional Updates and look for the Dell BIOS in the list of available updates.
If the BIOS is listed, click the update from the list to begin the installation.
Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.
The computer restarts as part of completing the BIOS update process.