Do I need a certain type of USB Stick to flash BIOS ?
Posted by Dicapriyo@reddit | buildapc | View on Reddit | 21 comments
I'm going out to buy a USB stick just in case my MSI B550 Gaming Wifi MOBO doesn't come with the latest BIOS. Since I will be updating the BIOS for the first time (fingers crossed I don't need to) should I be looking for features when buying one?
I've read about correct formatting the USB etc just curious about hardware features of the Stick to make this as smoothly as possible.
Just want to be fully prepared once my parts are in :D
Any feedback greatly appreciated
IanMo55@reddit
The motherboard manual should confirm your exact requirements. I'm sure I've read somewhere that usb 2.0 is preferred to 3.0.
PeaceChaos@reddit
Reasoning behind this is that USB 3.0 sometimes likes to not work properly, especially before it gets to the OS - USB 2.0 is just the safe bet
Izzidzu@reddit
Is this still the case in 2024?
_MaZ_@reddit
ASUS Tuf Gaming B650E-E Wifi so far doesn't work with a 32GB USB 3.0 stick with a fresh format of FAT32. I can't say if it's actually because it is 3.0, but the drive works just fine otherwise and I have also tried both renaming the cap file and leaving it be, both resulting in Ez flash and flashback failures, though my PC still works fine.
looxzy@reddit
Got the ASRock X870E WiFi and all my sticks dont work. Tryd everything.. Gonna buy now a recommended 32 GB USB 2.0 Fat32
_MaZ_@reddit
Change the USB drive from GPT to MBR, then do Flashback. I got my USB 3.0 stick working for it that way, no need to buy a USB 2.0 stick.
Alive_Obligation_399@reddit
If you have a newer MOBO it will be fine to use a 3.0
thundiee@reddit
Late reply, but what defines new?
I got an ASUS TUFGAMING B650M plus wifi I'm about to update. All I got is usb 3.0
Masonsss@reddit
hey im doing the same did it work
thundiee@reddit
like a charm.
_MaZ_@reddit
Well, I don't know for certain if it's because of the 3.0, but right now neither ASUS Ez Flash or Flashback do not work at all for me with Fat32 USB 3.0 stick and I can't believe even in Lord's year of 2026, USB 2.0 is an absolute must for an AM5 board. And I happen to have only 3.0 devices at the moment, holy hell.
______unknown____@reddit
This is new to me, Ive been updating my msi b650 tomahawk since 2023 with a usb 3.0 drive Must be another asus mobo problem
MilkSheikh007@reddit
Just dropped into to say that this is the single best-helpful comments thread on reddit I have read in a VERY long time. Thank you u/IanMo55 u/PeaceChaos u/Dicapriyo u/thelebuis u/klapaucjusz u/Repulsive-Philosophy u/chalupa_queso u/Izzidzu u/Alive_Obligation_399 u/thundiee u/Masonsss
IanMo55@reddit
Very nice of you to say so. Thank you.
waterfromthecrowtrap@reddit
Just make sure it's formatted FAT/FAT32. The vast majority are, but it's worth stating if you are trying to use an NTFS formatted drive (would only have that if you were trying to transport >4GB individual files).
thedumbasswarrior@reddit
Great point! I had to go through Claude to learn this, but it worked instantly
_MaZ_@reddit
For my ASUS Tuf Gaming B650E-E Wifi AM5 board, so far FAT32 and USB 3.0 do not work at all for either Ez Flash or Flashback.
deleted_by_reddit@reddit
Did you try it? I can’t seem to flash the bios in my B550
Zealousideal_Wall_48@reddit
Use USB 2.0 below 8gb
Gamer129389182@reddit
Why below 8GB?
BrushImaginary@reddit
Curious as well. I can't seem to flash my bios as well