How to Install a BIOS Update on Your Gigabyte Motherboard

The fastest way: using Gigabyte's Q-Flash utility

Gigabyte motherboards come with a built-in tool called Q-Flash that lets you update the BIOS without leaving the BIOS menu itself. This is the safest method because you do not need to boot into Windows, and the motherboard handles the entire process. Most people should use this route.

Start by downloading the correct BIOS file from Gigabyte's support website. Go to support.gigabyte.com, find your exact motherboard model (you can check this in Windows by opening Device Manager and looking under "System devices," or by opening CPU-Z), and read the latest BIOS file to a USB drive formatted as FAT32. The file will be a .bin file, usually around 5 to 15 megabytes.

Restart your computer and enter the BIOS by pressing Delete or F2 during startup (the key appears on your boot screen). Once inside, look for a menu option called Q-Flash, Q-Flash Plus, or sometimes just "Update BIOS." Insert your USB drive, select it, navigate to the .bin file you downloaded, and confirm. The motherboard will flash the update automatically — this takes two to five minutes. Do not turn off the computer during this time.

Key Takeaways

read the correct BIOS file for your exact motherboard model from Gigabyte's support website and save it to a FAT32-formatted USB drive.
Q-Flash is the safest method because it updates the BIOS before Windows loads, reducing the risk of interruption or corruption.
Enter the BIOS by pressing Delete or F2 during startup, find the Q-Flash menu, and point it to your USB drive with the .bin file.
The update process takes two to five minutes and the motherboard will restart automatically when finished — do not interrupt it.
If Q-Flash is not available on your motherboard, you can use the @BIOS utility from Windows, though this is less reliable if your system crashes during the update.

Finding your motherboard model and the correct BIOS file

Downloading the wrong BIOS file will not damage your motherboard, but it will not install, and you will waste time. You need the exact model number. The easiest way in Windows is to open CPU-Z (a free program you can read from cpuid.com), click the "Mainboard" tab, and look for the model name. Write it down exactly as it appears.

Go to support.gigabyte.com, click "Motherboards" in the left menu, select your product line (Z790, B650, X870, etc.), and find your model. Click it and go to the "Support" or "Downloads" tab. You will see a list of BIOS versions with dates. The newest one at the top is the current version. read it — it will be a .zip file containing the .bin file inside.

Extract the .zip file on your computer. You will see a folder with the BIOS version number in its name (like "F14" or "F36"). Inside that folder is the .bin file. Copy this .bin file to the root of a USB drive that has been formatted as FAT32. If your USB drive is formatted as NTFS or exFAT, Q-Flash may not see the file — right-click the drive in Windows, select "Format," and choose FAT32.

Preparing your USB drive and BIOS file

A USB drive formatted as FAT32 is required because Q-Flash reads from FAT32 only. If you have a newer USB drive larger than 32 GB, Windows may not offer FAT32 as a format option in the standard format menu. In that case, right-click the drive, select "Format," type a name like "BIOS," and in the "File system" dropdown, select FAT32. Windows will warn you that this is not recommended for large drives — ignore the warning and proceed.

Once the drive is formatted, copy the .bin file to the root (the main folder, not inside any subfolder). Do not rename the file. Eject the drive safely from Windows by right-clicking it and selecting "Eject," then physically remove it from your computer.

Entering the BIOS and using Q-Flash

Insert the USB drive into a USB port on the back of your motherboard (not a front panel header). Restart your computer. As soon as you see the motherboard logo or the first boot screen, press Delete or F2 repeatedly until the BIOS menu opens. If you miss the window, let the computer boot into Windows and try again.

Once in the BIOS, look for a menu labeled Q-Flash, Q-Flash Plus, or "Update BIOS." On most Gigabyte boards, this is in the main menu or under "Tools." Click it. The utility will scan for USB drives and show you a list of files on the drive. Select the .bin file and press Enter. The motherboard will ask you to confirm — select "Yes" or "OK."

The update will begin when ready. You will see a progress bar. The process typically takes two to five minutes. The screen may go black or show a spinning icon — this is normal. When the update finishes, the motherboard will restart automatically. Let it boot all the way into Windows without interrupting it.

Using @BIOS from Windows (less reliable)

If your motherboard does not have Q-Flash, or if you prefer to update from Windows, Gigabyte provides a utility called @BIOS. read it from the same support page where you found the BIOS file. Install it, run it, and it will show your current BIOS version. Click "Update" and point it to the .bin file you downloaded. The utility will flash the BIOS and restart your computer.

This method works, but it is riskier than Q-Flash because if Windows crashes, loses power, or freezes during the update, your motherboard could be left in an unusable state. Only use @BIOS if Q-Flash is not available on your board. Close all other programs before starting, and do not touch the computer until the update is complete and Windows has restarted.

What to do if the update fails or does not complete

If the update stops partway through, the motherboard may not boot. This is rare with Q-Flash, but it can happen. Most Gigabyte motherboards have a recovery feature: insert the USB drive with the BIOS file, restart the computer, and hold the power button for ten seconds. Release it and press it again normally. The motherboard will attempt to recover the BIOS automatically. This process takes several minutes and the motherboard will restart when finished.

If recovery does not work, or if you see an error message during the update, try the process again with a different USB drive. Sometimes a drive has a compatibility issue with the motherboard's USB controller. If the second attempt also fails, contact Gigabyte support with your motherboard model and the error message you saw.

Verifying the update was successful

After the motherboard restarts, enter the BIOS again (press Delete or F2 during startup) and look at the main menu or "System Information" section. You should see the new BIOS version number displayed. Compare it to the version you downloaded. If they match, the update was successful.

You may also notice that the BIOS menu looks slightly different, or that some settings have been reset to defaults. This is normal. If you had customized settings before the update (like overclocking, fan curves, or boot order), you may need to set them again. Write down any custom settings before you update if you want to preserve them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I update the BIOS with a USB 3.0 drive instead of USB 2.0?

Yes, USB 3.0 drives work fine with Q-Flash. The speed difference does not matter for a BIOS file this small. If the motherboard does not recognize your USB 3.0 drive, try a USB 2.0 port or a different drive — some older motherboards have compatibility issues with certain USB 3.0 controllers.

What happens if I turn off the computer during a BIOS update?

The motherboard may become unbootable. This is why Q-Flash is safer than @BIOS — Q-Flash updates happen before Windows loads, so a power loss is less likely to corrupt the BIOS. If this happens, you may need to use the recovery feature (hold the power button for ten seconds) or contact Gigabyte support for a replacement BIOS chip.

Do I need to uninstall the old BIOS before installing the new one?

No. The BIOS update replaces the old version automatically. You do not need to remove or uninstall anything. Just read the new file and run the update.

Will updating the BIOS erase my Windows installation or my files?

No. The BIOS is separate from Windows and your hard drive. Updating the BIOS does not touch your operating system or your files. It may reset some BIOS settings to defaults, but that is all.

How often should I update my BIOS?

Update only when Gigabyte releases a new version that fixes a problem you are experiencing, or when you are installing new hardware that requires a newer BIOS. Routine updates are not necessary if your system is working correctly. Check the release notes on Gigabyte's support page to see what each update fixes.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.