How to Update Dell BIOS

BIOS updates are released occasionally to fix important issues with your device. These updates might address security or privacy concerns, or simply improve the overall performance of your device. Keeping your BIOS updated can help you get the best performance and reliability. However, sometimes the update process doesn’t go as planned. If your BIOS update fails, it can create problems for your system.

It’s important to only update your BIOS (also known as “flashing” your BIOS) when there’s a good reason. You should only consider updating if you’re experiencing a specific issue, like new hardware not working properly and a BIOS update is the recommended solution. If everything is working fine, or unless Dell specifically recommends it, it’s best to leave your BIOS as is.

1. Via the Windows Operating System

To update the BIOS on your Dell computer or laptop, you first need to find out which version your system is currently using.

1. Press the Windows key + R. Type “msinfo32” in the Run window and press Enter. This will open the System Information window. Make sure “System Summary” is selected on the left side. On the larger right pane, look for “BIOS Version/Date.” The value shown here is your current BIOS version—write it down for reference.
2. Now, go to www.dell.com/support/drivers. Enter your Service Tag or Express Service Code in the box. You can usually find this code on a sticker on the top or bottom of your desktop or laptop. If you can’t find it physically, press Windows key + R, type “cmd” in the Run dialog box, and press Enter. In the command prompt window that appears, type the following command:

   wmic bios get serialnumber

3. Press Enter to run the command. The listed serial number is your Service Code.
4. Enter your Service Tag or Express Service Code into the appropriate box on the website and click ‘Submit‘. After submitting, you’ll see your system model listed under ‘Product Support‘.
5. Make sure “Drivers and downloads” is selected on the left. Scroll to “Optimize your system with drivers and updates” and click “Find it Myself“. Check that the correct Windows version is shown next to “View all available updates.” If it’s not, use “Change OS” to select your version. In the list, find and select “BIOS” under “Refine your results:” (put a check mark there). Click on the available BIOS item to see its details.
6. Compare this version and date with your current BIOS version. If the website shows a newer version, click “Download File” to get it. If not, you already have the latest BIOS installed. Before updating, save any work, close all running programs, and then open the downloaded BIOS file.
7. Click Yes when the User Account Control warning appears. Follow the on-screen instructions carefully. You may see different confirmation or warning messages depending on your system model—just read and accept them as you go. Do not turn off your computer during this process. If you’re on a laptop, make sure the battery is installed and the AC adapter stays connected throughout the update.

2. Use a Bootable Flash Drive

If you can’t log into your system but need to update its BIOS, you can do it by booting from a USB flash drive. First, make sure the USB is set as the first boot option in your BIOS settings. To check your current BIOS version, turn on the system and keep pressing F2 until you see the BIOS setup screen. The BIOS version will appear next to ‘BIOS Revision’.

1. To check for a new BIOS version, visit www.dell.com/support/drivers from another working computer.
2. Enter your Service Tag or Express Service Code in the appropriate box, as described above.

   

3. If you don’t have the code, click “View products” under “Browse for a product“, and choose your specific desktop or laptop model from the menu.
4. Use the directions from Solution 1 to see if there’s a newer BIOS version. If there is, click ‘Download File‘ to save it. If not, you already have the newest BIOS.Plug your USB flash drive into your system. Press Windows Key + E to open Windows Explorer. Be sure to back up any files from your USB drive first, since the next steps will delete its contents.
5. Download Rufus from this link to make your USB drive bootable. Once it’s downloaded, open the file.
6. In Rufus, select your USB drive under Device. Set the File system to FAT32, and for “Create a bootable disk using“, select FreeDOS. Then click Start.
7. When Rufus finishes, click Close. Next, copy only the updated BIOS file you downloaded to the USB drive. Take note of the file’s exact name (for example, E5440A13.exe).
8. Safely eject the USB drive from the working computer and connect it to the computer that needs the BIOS update. Power the system on and tap F12 repeatedly until you see the Boot Menu.
9. Select your USB drive from the boot menu and press Enter.
10. A command prompt window will open. Type “C:” and press Enter.
11. Type “dir” to show a list of files on your USB drive.
12. Type the exact name of the BIOS update file (for example, E5440A13.exe) and press Enter to start the update.
13. Carefully follow all on-screen instructions. Do not turn off your computer during the update. If you’re updating a laptop, make sure the battery is installed and the AC adapter remains plugged in the entire time.