Stop using supportassist, for a start. It's a steaming pile of manure at best. Head to https://dell.com/support and find the update manually - type your service tag into the 'choose my product' box, then find drivers and downloads, do NOT auto-scan, but find the BIOS update manually, download it to your machine, then run it from your downloads folder. It'll work just fine that way, or if it doesn't, it'll actually give you a proper error message. Answer from DJUnreal on reddit.com
Dell
dell.com › support › kbdoc › en-us › 000206454 › alienware-update-au-tool-fail-to-upgrade-bios-on-computers-having-bios-admin-password-configured
Alienware Update (AU) Tool Fail to Upgrade BIOS on Computers Having BIOS Admin Password Configured | Dell US
AU displays "Installation Complete: X (number of updates) updates failed" where the BIOS was selected to be installed and failed (Figure 1). ... The feature to configure BIOS Admin Password is not provided on AU. To enable BIOS Upgrades through Alienware Update, perform one of the following solutions:
Reddit
reddit.com › r/alienware › bios update failed
r/Alienware on Reddit: Bios update failed
August 14, 2021 -
So I just got my new Alienware M15 R4 a few days ago, and I’ve just been setting it up - downloading and updating stuff. I tried to download a BIOS update through the Alienware Support Assist and it failed. A few other updates through Support Assist failed as well. Now I’m reading that a failed BIOS update can damage a PC. Is it possible I screwed up my system already? How can I tell? If so, how can I fix it? Thanks!
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This post appears to be related to a BIOS update or Support Assist, so please remember the following: Support Assist has a bug currently that will show the BIOS update downloading but may appear to be stuck, even if left for hours. If this is happening then your best bet is to cancel it, or kill Support Assist and head to support.dell.com and use your service tag to find and download the BIOS .exe file and run it manually. There are many posts about this issue if you use the search that should help. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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If your PC is still booting into Windows, you're good. Just means previous updates failed, I wouldn't worry about it if it boots.
Videos
Reddit
reddit.com › r/alienware › bios update failing..
r/Alienware on Reddit: Bios update failing..
January 15, 2025 -
Hi All,
New to the Alienware community, purchased an R16 just before Christmas, and only really getting into the weeds of it now.
Just trying to update the Bios to the latest available from Dell and getting a fairly useless error…
Currently running (from opening the box) ‘Alienware 2.12.0 06/09/2024’
From their online tool it suggests I should install 2.14.0. Have downloaded the installer exe from their site and just get the following error;
Error: Driver Version Fail !
Also get the same error if I try the slightly older 2.13.0 installer.
Any ideas on where to go from here, other than Dell support?
Many thanks!
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That's fairly common, actually. Every so often, Windows Updates break the ability to do BIOS updates properly. Copy the update file to a USB stick, then reboot your PC and immediately start pressing F12 once you see the first Alienware logo. It'll pull up a one-time boot menu, and allow you to scroll down (the BIOS update option may be off the bottom of the list). You'll be able to do the update from there by pointing the update tool at the .exe file you copied to the USB stick.
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This worked for me a well. Needed a little education on how to use the interface correctly, but I got there. Thanks!
Dell
dell.com › dell community › laptops › alienware
x17 R2/x15 R2, BIOS 1.24.0 BIOS fail to install - Alienware
January 18, 2025 - However, bitlocker on or off, this won't install. Always returns the driver version fail. Current BIOS is 1.23.0 Anyone else have this issue? ... All impacted BIOS versions have been removed from availability through SupportAssist, Dell Update, and Alienware Update.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/alienware › cannot update bios
r/Alienware on Reddit: Cannot update BIOS
November 28, 2022 -
Hi. I have an Alienware Aurora Ryzen R10 Edition. My BIOS is currently at "BIOS Version/Date Alienware 2.2.4, 11/12/2021". I'm trying to upgrade to the latest but it keeps failing.
When I try running the exe itself, I get an "Error: Driver Version Fail !" message. Other methods fail as well (I've tried via the BIOS setup but the screen goes "light" and it just sits there for hours.
I've also tried upgraded to a previous version that is higher than 2.2.4 but I get the same error message.
Any suggestions?
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Some of your driver is “outdated” and causing this. I’ve helped a guy before in alienware discord the bios checks a certain range of driver version of the version falls outside the range it’ll prevent bios update. It is most likely gpu driver. I would recommend you install the gpu driver that shows up in the alienware support site then try update bios.
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22h2 update has been known to Cause bios flash program to be corrupt/fail and just won't work. as well as the AWCC.
MiniTool Partition Wizard
partitionwizard.com › home › partition manager › how to update alienware bios [2 ways]
How to Update Alienware BIOS [2 Ways] - MiniTool Partition Wizard
July 11, 2023 - Restart the PC, and then press BIOS key F2 when the Alienware logo screen appears. Set the USB drive as the first boot device and then boot the PC. Of course, you can also press boot menu key to choose the USB drive as the one-off boot device.
PassFab
passfab.com › computer › alienware-bios-update.html
How to Enter Alienware BIOS And Fix Update Problem
December 25, 2019 - Another thing you can do is to replace the BIOS chip if it is socketed. Simply replace it with the compatible one and hopefully the problem will be vanished. After making you acquainted with the essentials for updating Alienware BIOS, here is what you need to know.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/alienware › what should i do? bios update failing...
r/Alienware on Reddit: What should I do? Bios update failing...
November 12, 2025 -
Went to update my Area-51 this morning and keep getting an error message when attempting to download this update. What should I do?
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Stop using supportassist, for a start. It's a steaming pile of manure at best. Head to https://dell.com/support and find the update manually - type your service tag into the 'choose my product' box, then find drivers and downloads, do NOT auto-scan, but find the BIOS update manually, download it to your machine, then run it from your downloads folder. It'll work just fine that way, or if it doesn't, it'll actually give you a proper error message.
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If this post is looking for tech support, please see the stickied tech support post at the top of the sub, Official Dell support is now helping users in that post should you require it. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/alienware › alienware bios update failed
r/Alienware on Reddit: Alienware BIOS update failed
February 14, 2022 -
I have an Alienware m15 r1 laptop, and need to update the BIOS to the latest version. (2.110 I have tried updating using dell support assist, Alienware update, and the dell support website, but all return an error, saying the update failed. I have had no trouble updating my computer in the past, so I don't know what's wrong.)
If anyone could help, that would be great.
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Odd. I know I have to go into the bios and turn off XMP before I do an update or I'll get a "fail" response. XMP counts as an "overclock" which must be disabled for updates. Beyond that... any specific error?
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I had a similar issue on two older Alienware laptops and the BIOS updates would always fail when I would go through the Dell Support Website and try the install under the urgent updates. I would try numerous times and it would always fail. If I would scroll further down the page and select it from the list of all available updates it would update with no problems.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/alienware › unable to install bios update
r/Alienware on Reddit: Unable to install BIOS update
January 16, 2023 -
I have a critical update, bios, for my Alienware Aurora R8, but when I start the download I get a pop up that says
Program Compatibility Assistant
A driver cannot load on this device
Driver: amifldrv64.sys
amifldrv64.sys
A security setting is detecting this as a vulnerable driver and blocking it from loading. You'll need to adjust your settings to load this driver.
Not sure what is going on, I've updated the bios plenty of times and have never seen this before.
Any help would be appreciated.
Top answer 1 of 4
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This post appears to be related to a BIOS update or Support Assist, so please remember the following: Support Assist has a bug currently that will show the BIOS update downloading but may appear to be stuck, even if left for hours. If this is happening then your best bet is to cancel it, or kill Support Assist and head to support.dell.com and use your service tag to find and download the BIOS .exe file and run it manually. There are many posts about this issue if you use the search that should help. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
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Windows 11? Well-known "security" issue. Start regedit, open HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\CI\Config. Add/change DWORD key VulnerableDriverBlocklistEnable to value 0. Reboot.
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Welcome to the Dell Community First method: Create a new folder on your desktop named 'BIOS Update' Then download your BIOS update from your Driver Support page. NOTE: I would have posted your BIOS link here BUT no one has posted the exact model number. Copy the update to that folder you just created. Close all Windows and Apps you may have open. Go to the folder and right click on the update file and 'Run as Administrator' Second method: Create a bootable USB drive using 'Rufus' https://rufus.ie/ Under 'Boot Selection' choose 'Free DOS' Copy the BIOS update to the bootable USB drive you just created.. Insert USB drive, power-on and start tapping the ' F12 ' key. Boot from USB and run the BIOS update. After reboot test and post any results. Best regards, U2 Note: Before updating the BIOS, ensure that you suspend BitLocker encryption on a BitLocker-enabled system.
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When the 2.11 BIOS was released, it also failed to launch. I tried first workaround from U2CAMEB4ME and it didn't work. I did the RUFUS method and behold...there was a BIOS Update option from the F10 Boot selection as you mentioned. Thanks for bringing that to my attention...I now have the 2.11 BIOS installed!
Reddit
reddit.com › r/techsupport › alienware bios update failure
r/techsupport on Reddit: Alienware BIOS update failure
October 8, 2023 -
I am trying to update my bios to latest version Alienware aurora r8 1.0.28, I am currently on 1.0.23 but I get this error:
Error : Secure Flash check failure (0x1)
and I tried installing the next update after 1.0.23 which is 1.0.25 and it says Error : Driver version fail
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I reported this to Dell-Support through my channels. Please hang-tight. At this point (with this many Aurora R10 users reporting the same) ... I would suggest not applying this one for now. Just use your computers like normal.
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Hi everyone, The steps below shall help mitigate the issue. As soon as new BIOS updates are available, they will be added to Dell.com/support Current workaround: Workaround: Uninstall the January Windows KB update that corresponds to your system.: KB5050009, KB5050021, or KB5050009 update: Open Settings Select Windows Update Pause the Windows update Select Update history Select Uninstall updates Find the impacted update according to the operating system version used, labeled KB5050009, KB5050021, and KB5049981 Select Uninstall Restart your computer Install the BIOS from dell.com/support using the executable file After a successful BIOS update go back to step c, to enable the Windows update Update the BIOS from a USB stick using the computer pre-boot option Copy the executable file to external storage (USB flash drive) Keep the USB connected and restart the computer Press F12 to enter One-Time Boot Settings (reference Flashing the BIOS from the F12 One-Time Boot Menu) We kindly ask you to test it and provide your feedback.Affected Platforms: Alienware Aurora R12 Alienware Aurora R13 Alienware Aurora Ryzen Edition R14 Alienware Aurora R15 Alienware Aurora R15 AMD Alienware Aurora R16 Alienware Area 51m R2 Alienware m15 R3 Alienware m15 R4 Alienware m17 R3 Alienware m17 R4 Alienware x14 Alienware x15 R1 Alienware x15 R2 Alienware x17 R1 Alienware x17 R2 XPS 8950 XPS 8960 Inspiron 15 3510 Inspiron 15 3521 Inspiron 3502 Affected Operating Systems: Windows 11 24H2 KB5050009 (OS Build 26100.2894) or later Windows 11 23H2 KB5050021 (OS Builds 22621.4751 and 22631.4751) or later Windows 10 22H2 KB5049981 (OS Builds 19044.5371 and 19045.5371) or later Read more: BIOS Update Error or Update Gets Stuck After Windows January 2025 Update
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I'm also having the same issue, was prompted to update my BIOS today and can't do so. I had Memory Integrity on and was greeted by a scary noise and the first image below. Next, I turned it off and tried updating it manually through both SupportAssist and the Dell website but I got an error as well.
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I think some user found R8 power button stopped working after bios update. So your trouble now of updating bios may be a blessing in disguise. No need to update bios unless absolutely needed to.
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Hi @V8200T5 agree that getting to the 17 R2 coin battery is problematic, and its not a clip-in coin battery holder, but purchase a new coin battery cable assembly. Shorting out the CLRP1 pins is part of the BIOS reset process, and you have tried that. You can also put an electrical voltmeter across the CLRP1 pins to check if coin battery is dead, and then decide if further disassembly is required. Remember to disconnect ac adapter, main battery connection, remove flea (residual) power, when this is undertaken. A dead coin battery is usually, but not always, accompanied with incorrect date and time at boot, without online refresh.
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Hi @FlyingSaucer10 welcome to this user to user forum. A common problem. These Dell Community solutions may also help Here and Here.
Rock Paper Shotgun
rockpapershotgun.com › home › hardware › news
Dell and Alienware BIOS updates break PCs, get recalled | Rock Paper Shotgun
December 23, 2021 - BIOS updates for Dell's Alienware, Inspiron and Latitude PCs have been removed after multiple users reported serious boot problems.
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Any UEFI environment can be used by Windows update to push both system and device firmware. UEFI firmware
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One, your pc seems to be working fine. You may not need to do the diligent bios updates. two, Windows update will automatically update critical bios for you. It is probably better to leave it to Windows update. Many dell bios update versions fix small bugs irrelevant to you. If there is a critical version to address patch against attacks, Windows update will do it for you.
Tom's Hardware
tomshardware.com › software
These Dell BIOS Updates Are Wrecking Alienware, Inspiron PCs | Tom's Hardware
December 22, 2021 - "I've reset the CMOS, updated the bios, formatted the M.2 drive to reinstall windows with the Dell recovery USB drive, tried using media creation and I still get BSODs," wrote MiraiKei. "Surprisingly enough, I get BSODs with an empty drive running recovery from USB. Sounds like a motherboard failure from a forced bios update.
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You'll find your frustration repeated throughout this board. The general rule on the BIOS update is to download the binary & run it yourself. There are several people on here who have completely bricked their motherboards trying to update the BIOS through SupportAssist. They literally had to have Dell replace their motherboards.
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Cheers for the reply bud. I have indeed downloaded it manually and installed it. I will now find it hard to trust anything on this Support Assist and will most likely go to the site and download all drivers etc manually from now on. Thank you.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/alienware › getting 3,7 error after bios update failed then tried to bios flash.
r/Alienware on Reddit: Getting 3,7 error after BIOS update failed then tried to BIOS Flash.
November 2, 2021 - Did that now I’m stuck on my Alienware being blue been like this for about a hour. ... Try letting it rest because mine stopped working after clearing. I turned it on once and it failed, let it rest, cam back and it worked. ... Yah I also read that holding power button 25 seconds unplug then plug back in so I’m back to where I originally started apparently this new BIOS update screwed everyone so you need to go back to the one in December I’ll let you know what happens after I go backwards.