If Allow BIOS Downgrade is Disabled Dell Laptops Cannot Flash BIOS to 2.6.0

Summary: This article provides information about Latitude and Inspiron laptops unable to flash BIOS to v2.6.0 if Allow BIOS Downgrade is disabled in BIOS.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
Check out other resources

Symptoms

Affected Platforms:

  • Inspiron 14 5441
  • Inspiron 14 Plus 7441
  • Latitude 5455
  • Latitude 7455

The Dell flash program displays, Error: Firmware update from revision to 2.6.0 is not permitted. The system is configured to block firmware updates to previous revisions, when attempting to run BIOS v2.6.0 flash package after setting Allow BIOS Downgrade to disable in the BIOS menu.

To Reproduce:

  1. Disable Allow BIOS Downgrade in BIOS menu (default is enabled).
  2. Boot to the operating system and run v2.6.0 BIOS flash program (the error message is displayed).
    DFU error message

Cause

Caused by Dell Firmware Updater (DFU) tool leads to Downgrade Denial.

Resolution

Do not dispatch hardware for this issue.

You can resolve this by doing one of the following:

  • Use Windows Update instead of the Dell BIOS 2.6.0 flash package.

Or,

  • Enable Allow BIOS Downgrade before BIOS 2.6.0 exe flash package is run from Windows.
    Enable Allow BIOS downgrade in BIOS

Affected Products

Inspiron 14 5441, Inspiron 14 Plus 7441, Latitude 5455, Latitude 7455
Article Properties
Article Number: 000287554
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 16 Apr 2025
Version:  2
Find answers to your questions from other Dell users
Support Services
Check if your device is covered by Support Services.