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August 25th, 2025 17:02
m18 R1, cannot update BIOS
Dear Dell Support and Community,
I have been unable to update the BIOS on my Alienware M18 R1. My system is currently on version 1.16, while the latest available version is 1.19. Each time I attempt to update beyond 1.16, the process fails and the system reverts back.
For example, when I tried updating to 1.19 yesterday, the fans ramped up to high speed, all lights including the power light turned off, and the system remained unresponsive until I shut it down manually. After restarting, I typically see a sequence of three blue lights and four red lights before the computer automatically restores the previous BIOS version.
I have attempted updates through both SupportAssist and manual installation, but the results are the same. Could you please advise me on how to successfully complete the BIOS update without encountering these issues?
Thank you for your assistance.
Best regards.
Starkeeper87
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August 26th, 2025 17:59
I was able to solve the problem, and the issue was really unusual. I was installing the BIOS from my desktop, but everything on my desktop is on one drive being backed up in the cloud automatically, and apparently that was causing some type of issue with the installation of the BIOS. I moved the exe file in a folder not backed up by one drive, and I was able to successfully update the BIOS this way. Anyway, thanks for your help. Your encouragements have pushed me to try different things until I was able to solve the problem.
I installed the latest version, 1.19, compatible with my system.
DELL-ChrisM2
Community Manager
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156 Posts
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August 25th, 2025 18:34
Go HERE and insert the private Service Tag number to check the model and current warranty status.
Laptop BIOS update instructions =
* Connect the provided external power adapter to the Laptop
* The Laptop is not connected to any dock, external monitor, printer, USB drives, USB sound device, etc.
* Download/Save the latest BIOS file to the Windows desktop
* Close/end task all unnecessary software applications (Browsers, Dell SupportAssist, Dell Update Application, Dell Display Manager, Dell Display and Peripheral Manager, Steam, Anti-virus, etc.)
* Find the saved BIOS file on the Windows desktop
* Right click the file and choose, "Run as administrator". Note, you do not need to "extract" the file. Just run it
* Follow the prompted instructions. The Laptop will reboot on its own, do not force it
The online m18 R1 Drivers & Downloads page for BIOS shows the latest version as 1.28.0 August 14, 2025 =
Clicking "Older versions" does show the older =
1.19.0 August 13, 2024
1.16.0 April 8, 2025
Starkeeper87
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3 Posts
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August 25th, 2025 19:31
I wanted to mention a mistake in what I wrote earlier: I get 4 blue lights and 3 red lights.
I tried again unsuccessfully, following the instructions. Please note that the list of BIOS updates that was sent above is not correct as my Alienware is with AMD and the latest compatible BIOS is 1.19.
DELL-ChrisM2
Community Manager
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156 Posts
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August 26th, 2025 15:39
m18 R1 AMD Drivers & Downloads --> BIOS --> Older versions
What happens when you try to install 1.17.0 April 14, 2025?
Using these same instructions?
* Connect the provided external power adapter to the Laptop
* The Laptop is not connected to any dock, external monitor, printer, USB drives, USB sound device, etc.
* Download/Save the latest BIOS file to the Windows desktop
* Close/end task all unnecessary software applications (Browsers, Dell SupportAssist, Dell Update Application, Dell Display Manager, Dell Display and Peripheral Manager, Steam, Anti-virus, etc.)
* Find the saved BIOS file on the Windows desktop
* Right click the file and choose, "Run as administrator". Note, you do not need to "extract" the file. Just run it
* Follow the prompted instructions. The Laptop will reboot on its own, do not force it