How to Check for a BIOS Update (And Whether You Actually Need One)

Your computer's BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) is the firmware that runs before your operating system even loads. It initializes hardware, manages boot sequences, and acts as the bridge between your physical components and your software. Keeping it updated can solve compatibility issues, improve hardware support, and patch security vulnerabilities — but checking for updates isn't as straightforward as running Windows Update. Here's how it actually works.

What Is a BIOS Update and Why Does It Matter?

Unlike drivers or apps, the BIOS lives on a small chip on your motherboard. When manufacturers release BIOS updates, they're typically addressing:

• Hardware compatibility — support for new CPUs, RAM speeds, or NVMe drives
• Security patches — fixes for firmware-level vulnerabilities like Spectre or similar exploits
• Stability improvements — resolving crashes, boot failures, or memory errors
• Feature additions — enabling features like Resizable BAR for GPU performance or improved overclocking controls

Modern systems increasingly use UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) instead of legacy BIOS, though the term "BIOS update" is still used colloquially for both.

Step 1 — Find Your Current BIOS Version

Before checking for updates, you need to know what version you're already running.

On Windows:

1. Press Win + R, type msinfo32, and hit Enter
2. In the System Information window, look for BIOS Version/Date in the right panel
3. Note the manufacturer name, version number, and date

Alternatively, open Command Prompt and run:

wmic bios get smbiosbiosversion 

On Linux:

sudo dmidecode -s bios-version 

On Mac: Macs don't use BIOS in the traditional sense — firmware updates are delivered automatically through macOS system updates, so this process doesn't apply the same way.

Step 2 — Identify Your Motherboard Model

BIOS updates are specific to your exact motherboard model. A BIOS file for one board can brick another, even within the same product family.

• Desktop PCs: Check the motherboard manufacturer's website (ASUS, MSI, Gigabyte, ASRock, etc.). Your board model is usually printed directly on the motherboard itself, or visible in msinfo32 under BaseBoard Product.
• Laptops and prebuilt desktops: Use the manufacturer's support site (Dell, HP, Lenovo, etc.) with your service tag, model number, or serial number. These are usually on a sticker on the bottom of the device.

Step 3 — Check the Manufacturer's Support Page 🔍

This is the only reliable source for BIOS updates. Third-party download sites should be avoided entirely — firmware from unofficial sources carries serious risk.

For motherboard manufacturers:

• Navigate to the Support or Downloads section
• Enter your board model
• Filter by BIOS in the driver/download category
• Compare the latest available version against your current version

For laptop and prebuilt manufacturers:

• Use their official support portal with your device identifier
• Look specifically for BIOS, Firmware, or System Firmware updates
• Many manufacturers (Dell, HP, Lenovo) also have dedicated update utilities that scan your system automatically

Step 4 — Understand the Update Methods

How you apply a BIOS update depends on your hardware and manufacturer.

Many modern motherboards include a EZ Flash or similar utility directly in the UEFI interface, letting you flash from a USB drive or even directly from the internet without entering Windows at all.

Variables That Affect Your Process ⚙️

The experience of checking for and applying a BIOS update varies significantly based on several factors:

System type matters a lot. A gaming desktop with an MSI Z790 board has a completely different update path than a Dell business laptop or a custom-built mini PC. Laptops tend to have smoother, more guided processes. Custom desktop builds require more manual attention.

Current BIOS age affects complexity. If you're multiple major versions behind, some manufacturers recommend stepping through intermediate versions rather than jumping directly to the latest.

Technical comfort level changes the stakes. A BIOS flash interrupted by a power outage can render a system unbootable. Some boards have dual BIOS chips as a failsafe; many don't. This isn't a reason to avoid updates, but it's a reason to understand your specific board's recovery options before starting.

Whether you even need an update is genuinely situational. If your system is stable and you're not adding new hardware or experiencing specific issues, the general guidance is that unnecessary BIOS updates carry more risk than reward. But if you're installing a new CPU that requires updated microcode support, or you're troubleshooting persistent instability, an update may be directly relevant.

What the BIOS Version Date Tells You

The date on your BIOS version is often more informative than the version number itself. A BIOS dated 2019 on a machine running modern hardware may be missing years of compatibility and security patches. A machine with a 2023 BIOS that's running smoothly with current hardware may have no pressing reason to update.

Manufacturer release notes — usually available on the same download page as the update file — describe exactly what each version changes. Reading those notes is the most direct way to assess whether a specific update addresses anything relevant to your setup.

The gap between "how to check" and "whether or when to update" comes down entirely to what your machine is, what you're using it for, and what, if anything, you're trying to fix or enable.