Updating BIOS on systems with BitLocker enabled
CAUTION:
If BitLocker is not suspended before updating the BIOS, the next time you reboot the system it will not
recognize the BitLocker key. You will then be prompted to enter the recovery key to progress and the system will ask for
this on each reboot. If the recovery key is not known, this can result in data loss or an unnecessary operating system
reinstall. For more information about this subject, see Knowledge Article:
Updating the BIOS on Dell Systems With
Updating the Dell BIOS in Linux and Ubuntu environments
If you want to update the system BIOS in a Linux environment, such as Ubuntu, see
https://www.dell.com/support/article/sln171755/
Flashing the BIOS from the F12 One-Time boot menu
Updating your system BIOS using a BIOS update .exe file that is copied to a FAT32 USB key and booting from the F12 one time boot
menu.
BIOS Update
You can run the BIOS update file from Windows using a bootable USB key or you can also update the BIOS from the F12 One-Time boot
menu on the system.
Most Dell systems built after 2012 have this capability and you can confirm by booting your system to the F12 One-Time Boot Menu to see
if
BIOS UPDATE
is listed as a boot option for your system. If the option is listed, then the BIOS supports this BIOS update option.
NOTE:
Only systems with BIOS Flash Update option in the F12 One-Time Boot Menu can use this function.
Updating from the One-Time Boot Menu
To update your BIOS from the F12 One-Time boot menu, you need:
•
USB key formatted to the FAT32 file system (key does not have to be bootable).
•
BIOS executable file that you downloaded from the Dell Support website and copied to the root of the USB key.
•
AC power adapter that is connected to the system.
•
Functional system battery to flash the BIOS.
Perform the following steps to run the BIOS update flash process from the F12 menu:
CAUTION:
Do not power off the system during the BIOS update process. Powering off the system could make the
system fail to boot.
1. From a power off state, insert the USB key where you copied the flash into a USB port of the system .
2. Power on the system and press the
F12
key to access the One-Time Boot Menu.
3. Select
BIOS Update
using the mouse or arrow keys then press
Enter
.
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System setup
