43 votes

Fixing a Framework laptop bricked by a BIOS update

Posted by riQQ
Tags: hardware, bios, laptops, framework, updates, sustainability, repair, uefi, author.guanzhong chen, source.quantum5, long read
https://quantum5.ca/2026/08/16/fixing-bricked-amd-7040-series-framework-13-laptop-with-20-tools/

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Title
Fixing a bricked AMD 7040 series Framework 13" laptop with $20 tools
Authors
Quantum
Published
Aug 16 2026
Word count
7244 words

15 comments

  1. riQQ
    Link

    For three years, the laptop has served me well, until Framework suggested via newsletter to install the latest BIOS3 update, version 3.20, with a bunch of security fixes. Unfortunately, the system hung and displayed a corrupt image on the screen, signifying a failed BIOS flash.

    Naturally, I reached out to Framework support, who told me to unplug the laptop, let the battery drain, and power it back on again afterwards, hoping the laptop would recover by itself. Unfortunately, it never did, and after giving Framework a bunch of information, they informed me that since my 1-year warranty has expired, I have no option but to purchase a new Framework motherboard, which will cost at least CA$500.

    A quick search revealed that many people had issues with BIOS flashes with this specific BIOS update on the Framework forums, even those in warranty, and on a different thread, people have been having similar issues with BIOS flashing in general on this model since at least March of 2025. To my knowledge, Framework has never acknowledged the issue or offered any indication that the problem was fixed, so buying a new motherboard would simply be playing Russian roulette if I ever wanted to update the BIOS again, on top of spending CA$500+ through no fault of my own.

    Thus, I opted against buying a new motherboard and embarked upon a journey to flash the BIOS myself. I documented this journey in excruciating detail so that hopefully, by following along, you’ll understand exactly how you might fix similar problems.

    As the owner of a Framework laptop who wants to benefit from the upgradability down the line, I would like to see Framework clean up their act and deliver on the promise they made when they sold the product. As such, I call upon Framework to:

    1. Immediately stop encouraging any users out of warranty to update their BIOS until the updater is fixed;
    2. Fix the BIOS updater as soon as possible;
    3. Provide immediate relief to any out-of-warranty customers whose laptop was bricked through a BIOS update, either through motherboard replacement like warrantied customers, or the free delivery of a toolkit and detailed guidance to perform the repair;
    4. Provide official documentation for BIOS flashing, raw BIOS images, and instructions to restore the serial numbers and UUIDs;
    5. Design all future motherboards to be easily recoverable from bad BIOS flashes; and
    6. Immediately cease any unnecessary data sharing with third parties.
    33 votes
  2. [3]
    unkz
    Link
    Gotta say, this does not inspire confidence in framework. And I was seriously considering replacing my aging surface book with a framework now that it ships with a touchscreen.

    Gotta say, this does not inspire confidence in framework. And I was seriously considering replacing my aging surface book with a framework now that it ships with a touchscreen.

    25 votes
    1. kmcgurty1
      Link Parent
      As much as I love my original Framework and still use it frequently, I'm very disappointed by the data breach. It leaked all of my personal information, including my phone number which hadn't been...

      As much as I love my original Framework and still use it frequently, I'm very disappointed by the data breach. It leaked all of my personal information, including my phone number which hadn't been properly leaked until now.

      18 votes
    2. JCPhoenix
      Link Parent
      A former coworker got a Framework. And he's had/having some issues with the GPU module. I don't know exactly what, but he got the computer earlier this year, but has already had to work with...

      A former coworker got a Framework. And he's had/having some issues with the GPU module. I don't know exactly what, but he got the computer earlier this year, but has already had to work with Framework to get a replacement GPU. And before he left, he mentioned that he's still having problems and he's once again working with the company to resolve.

      I'd like to one day get a Framework, not that I need one, but yeah, def some issues they need to work through.

      9 votes
  3. [3]
    artvandelay
    Link
    Kind of surprised they kinda told OP to pound sand after trying basically nothing. Glad they were able to recover their laptop by manually flashing a BIOS though. Come to think of it, I've only...

    Kind of surprised they kinda told OP to pound sand after trying basically nothing. Glad they were able to recover their laptop by manually flashing a BIOS though. Come to think of it, I've only ever updated the firmware on one of my laptops in the past, and it was such a nerve racking experience.

    22 votes
    1. riQQ
      Link Parent
      Especially because it seems to be caused by a bug in their BIOS updater software.

      Especially because it seems to be caused by a bug in their BIOS updater software.

      16 votes
    2. Octofox
      Link Parent
      I have had better experiences with having Apple fix my MacBook out of warranty.. I like the idea of a repairable laptop, but everything I’ve heard from every framework owner I’ve met is that they...

      I have had better experiences with having Apple fix my MacBook out of warranty..

      I like the idea of a repairable laptop, but everything I’ve heard from every framework owner I’ve met is that they just fall to pieces and develop weird faults. Meanwhile my 5 year old MacBook still feels brand new.

      8 votes
  4. [4]
    Grzmot
    Link
    Pretty wild that this still happens in 2026. BIOS flashing has been around for decades, I've never had issues with it from multiple vendors.

    Pretty wild that this still happens in 2026. BIOS flashing has been around for decades, I've never had issues with it from multiple vendors.

    12 votes
    1. [3]
      Nihilego
      Link Parent
      Correct me if I’m wrong but don’t they have basically 2 versions of the BIOS installed? One as a fallback in case something goes wrong like this.

      Correct me if I’m wrong but don’t they have basically 2 versions of the BIOS installed? One as a fallback in case something goes wrong like this.

      6 votes
      1. [2]
        riQQ
        Link Parent
        Not all the mainboards have two BIOS flash chips.

        Not all the mainboards have two BIOS flash chips.

        7 votes
        1. Promonk
          Link Parent
          I know of no laptop mainboards that have two BIOS EEPROMs. The fallback BIOS on most modern systems is just a separate image on the same EEPROM, from what I can tell. That's somewhat beyond the...

          I know of no laptop mainboards that have two BIOS EEPROMs. The fallback BIOS on most modern systems is just a separate image on the same EEPROM, from what I can tell.

          That's somewhat beyond the scope of my work though, so take that with a grain or two.

          3 votes
  5. Tiraon
    Link
    Both the fact that this could even happen and the response is disappointing and concerning regarding direction of the company. Add to that the previous leak which was their fault for using...

    Both the fact that this could even happen and the response is disappointing and concerning regarding direction of the company. Add to that the previous leak which was their fault for using bussiness intelligence platform at all.

    This repair is also more involved then I would want to do if I was in that position. Though I'd attempt it with instructions.

    12 votes
  6. [3]
    Interesting
    Link
    Update, in case anyone didn't see https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/08/framework-responds-to-complaints-that-bios-update-bricked-ryzen-7040-laptops/

    Update, in case anyone didn't see
    https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/08/framework-responds-to-complaints-that-bios-update-bricked-ryzen-7040-laptops/

    7 votes
    1. [2]
      riQQ
      Link Parent
      This is the least that they can do. Sad that it took media coverage to force their hand.

      This is the least that they can do. Sad that it took media coverage to force their hand.

      Framework’s statement to Ars says:

      … in addition to replacing in-warranty Mainboards, we are making exceptions for out-of-warranty replacements where we can confirm a stable-release BIOS update caused the board to become non-bootable.

      Framework is also introducing a “Crisis Recovery Mode” BIOS functionality to enable a path for failed updates to be directly recoverable.

      “Our latest Framework Desktop BIOS release includes this functionality, and we are actively bringing it to Framework Laptop 12, 13, and 16 in our upcoming BIOS release cycles for each,” Framework said.

      3 votes
      1. Interesting
        Link Parent
        There is something to be said about a company small enough to be shamed into improvement by a HackerNews post.

        There is something to be said about a company small enough to be shamed into improvement by a HackerNews post.

        4 votes