How to Install a BIOS Update on Your MSI Motherboard

MSI BIOS updates happen through a tool built into your motherboard's firmware, not through Windows or a downloaded program

To update your MSI motherboard's BIOS, you download the update file from MSI's support website, put it on a USB drive, restart your computer into the BIOS menu, and run the update from there. The process takes about 10 to 15 minutes total, though your computer will restart several times on its own. You do not need to install anything in Windows — the update runs before Windows even loads.

The most important thing to know before you start: do not turn off your computer during a BIOS update. If the power cuts out while the update is running, your motherboard can become unbootable and may need professional repair. If you are on a laptop, plug it in. If you are on a desktop, consider plugging it into a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) if you have one, though a regular power outlet is fine if your electricity is stable.

Key Takeaways

Download the BIOS file for your exact motherboard model from the MSI support website, not from any other source.
Extract the BIOS file to the root of a USB drive formatted as FAT32, with no folder nesting.
Restart your computer, enter the BIOS menu by pressing Delete or F2 during startup, and navigate to the update tool.
Do not interrupt the update once it starts — let your computer restart on its own as many times as it needs.
After the update completes, your computer may reset some BIOS settings to defaults, so check your overclocking or boot order if you had custom settings.

Finding and downloading the correct BIOS file

Go to the MSI support website at msi.com/support. Search for your motherboard model — you can find this in Windows by opening Device Manager, expanding "System devices", and looking for your board name, or by opening CPU-Z (a free program) and checking the "Mainboard" tab. Type the exact model number into MSI's search box.

On your motherboard's support page, look for a section labeled "BIOS" or "Downloads". You will see a list of BIOS versions with dates. The newest one at the top is usually the one you want, but read the release notes first — they are listed next to each version. If the notes mention a fix for a problem you are experiencing, that is your target. If the notes say "stability improvements" or "CPU microcode update", those are safe general updates. Download the file to your computer.

Do not download BIOS files from anywhere except MSI's official support pages. Corrupted or wrong files can damage your motherboard.

Preparing your USB drive

You need a USB drive that is at least 1 GB in size and formatted as FAT32. Most USB drives come formatted this way, but if yours is formatted as NTFS or exFAT, you will need to reformat it. On Windows, right-click the drive in File Explorer, select "Format", choose "FAT32" from the dropdown, and click Start. This will erase everything on the drive.

Extract the BIOS file you downloaded. It will be a .zip file — right-click it and select "Extract All", then choose a folder. Inside you will find a .bin file or a .rom file (the exact name depends on your motherboard model). Copy this single file to the root of your USB drive. Do not put it in a folder. Do not put multiple BIOS files on the drive. Just the one file, at the top level of the drive.

Safely eject the USB drive from your computer when you are done copying.

Entering the BIOS menu and locating the update tool

Plug the USB drive into a USB port on your motherboard — use a port on the back of the case if you can, not a front-panel header. Restart your computer. As soon as it starts to boot, begin pressing Delete or F2 repeatedly (some older MSI boards use F2, most newer ones use Delete). You should see the BIOS menu appear before Windows loads.

Once you are in the BIOS menu, look for an option called "M-Flash", "Q-Flash", "BIOS Update", or "Update BIOS". The exact name varies by motherboard generation. This tool is usually in the main menu or under a tab labeled "Tools" or "Utilities". Use the arrow keys to navigate and Enter to select.

If you cannot find the update tool, restart and try pressing F2 instead of Delete, or look for a button labeled "BIOS" or "Setup" on your motherboard itself — some boards have a physical button that opens a simplified update menu.

Running the BIOS update

Select the M-Flash or Q-Flash tool. It will ask you to select a drive — choose your USB drive from the list. The tool will scan the drive and show you the BIOS file it found. Confirm that the filename matches what you downloaded. Select it and choose "Update" or "Flash".

The update will begin. You will see a progress bar. This usually takes 2 to 5 minutes. Your computer may restart on its own one or more times — this is normal. Do not touch anything, do not press any keys, and do not turn off the computer. If the power goes out during this time, your motherboard may become unbootable.

When the update finishes, you will see a message saying "Update successful" or "Flash complete". Your computer will restart automatically. Remove the USB drive once it has restarted and Windows is loading.

What to check after the update completes

When Windows boots, open the BIOS menu again (Delete or F2 during startup) and verify that the BIOS version has changed to the new version you installed. You can also check this in CPU-Z under the "Mainboard" tab, which will show the current BIOS date and version.

If you had custom BIOS settings before the update — such as overclocking settings, custom fan curves, or a specific boot order — check them now. Many BIOS updates reset these to defaults. Go back into the BIOS menu and reconfigure anything that changed.

If your computer fails to boot after the update, or if you see error messages, restart and enter the BIOS menu again. Look for an option to "Load Defaults" or "Reset to Defaults", select it, save, and restart. If the problem persists, contact MSI support with your motherboard model and the BIOS version you installed.

When a BIOS update might fail or get stuck

If the update appears to hang or freeze, wait at least 10 minutes before doing anything — some updates are slower than they appear. If nothing has changed after 15 minutes, a power loss during the update is the most likely cause. Do not restart. Contact MSI support and describe what happened; they may be able to walk you through a recovery process.

If the update completes but your computer will not boot into Windows afterward, restart and enter the BIOS menu. Look for an option to "Clear CMOS" or "Reset to Defaults". Select it, save, and restart. This resets all BIOS settings to factory defaults and usually restores boot capability. You will need to reconfigure any custom settings you had.

If you see a message that the BIOS file is not found or not recognized, the file may be corrupted or in the wrong format. Download it again from MSI's website, extract it again, and copy it to a freshly formatted USB drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to update my BIOS?

Not always. BIOS updates fix specific problems — CPU compatibility, security patches, or stability issues. If your computer is working well, you do not need to update. If you are having crashes, boot failures, or you want to use a newer CPU that your current BIOS does not recognize, then an update may help. Read the release notes to see if the update addresses your situation.

Can I update BIOS from Windows using a downloaded tool?

Some MSI boards have a Windows-based update tool called "MSI Live Update" or "Dragon Center", but the USB method described here is more reliable and works on all MSI boards. If you use a Windows tool, do not close it or restart your computer until it says the update is complete.

What if I update to the wrong BIOS version by mistake?

You can update again to the correct version. Download the correct BIOS file, put it on the USB drive, and run the update process a second time. There is no harm in updating multiple times as long as you do not interrupt the process.

Will updating BIOS erase my files or settings in Windows?

No. The BIOS update only changes the firmware on your motherboard. Your Windows files, programs, and documents stay exactly as they are. However, some BIOS settings (like boot order or overclocking) may reset to defaults, so you may need to reconfigure those.

My computer will not start after the BIOS update. What do I do?

Restart and enter the BIOS menu by pressing Delete or F2 during startup. Look for "Load Defaults", "Reset to Defaults", or "Clear CMOS". Select it, save the changes, and restart. If you cannot enter the BIOS menu at all, your motherboard may need professional service.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.