If you own a Lenovo ThinkPad and recently tried updating your BIOS, you might have encountered some frustrating errors. The update may fail when using the BIOS Update Utility with error:
Or when using the Lenovo BIOS Update utility shows this error:
leaving users stuck. But don’t worry—there’s a reason for this issue, and more importantly, there are solutions!
Why is the ThinkPad BIOS Update Failing?
The problem started after Microsoft rolled out recent Windows security updates. These updates modified the Vulnerable Driver Blocklist, which is designed to block unsafe drivers. Unfortunately, this change also blocks WinFlash64.exe, a crucial component for updating your ThinkPad BIOS.
If your system has any of these updates installed, that’s likely why you’re seeing errors:
Affected Windows Versions and Updates
| Windows Version | KB Updates Causing Issues |
|---|---|
| Windows 10 22H2 | KB5050081, KB5051974, KB5052077 |
| Windows 11 22H2/23H2 | KB5050092, KB5051989, KB5052094 |
| Windows 11 24H2 | KB5050094, KB5051987, KB5052093 |
Microsoft made these security improvements to enhance system protection, but the unintended side effect is preventing Lenovo’s BIOS update utility from running correctly.
How to Fix the ThinkPad BIOS Update Issue
Since the standard Windows-based BIOS update is failing, you’ll need to use an alternative method. Here are three ways to successfully update your BIOS:
1. Try Windows Update
Before trying anything else, check if Lenovo has released a BIOS update through Windows Update:
- Open Settings > Windows Update
- Click Check for updates
- If a BIOS update is available, install it like any other update.
This is the easiest solution, but if your BIOS update isn’t available here, move on to the next method.
2. Use a Bootable BIOS Update CD
If you have access to a CD/DVD drive, you can update your BIOS using a bootable CD:
- Download the BIOS Update (Bootable CD) ISO from Lenovo’s support website.
- Burn the ISO onto a CD/DVD.
- Restart your ThinkPad and boot from the CD.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the BIOS update.
This method ensures that Windows security restrictions won’t interfere with the update.
3. Use a Bootable USB for BIOS Flashing
If you don’t have a CD drive, a bootable USB is your best option:
- Download and extract the BIOS Update Utility for Windows.
- Locate a file called ‘Instruction US – BIOS flash USB memory key.txt’ in the extracted folder.
- Follow the steps to create a bootable USB drive.
- Restart your ThinkPad and boot from the USB.
- Let the BIOS update process run.
This is a reliable method that works even when the Windows-based update fails.
When Will Lenovo Fix This Issue?
Lenovo is aware of the problem and is working on a new BIOS Update Utility that will bypass these security restrictions. Until the updated tool is released, you’ll need to use one of the alternative methods above.
Final Thoughts
Running into BIOS update issues can be frustrating, but thankfully, there are ways around it. Whether you choose to update via Windows Update, a bootable CD, or a USB drive, you can still get your ThinkPad’s BIOS updated successfully.
If you found this guide helpful, share it with others who might be facing the same issue! And if you have any questions, feel free to drop a comment below. Happy updating!
