[NUC] BIOS Update and Recovery Instructions for NUC Compute Element

Note
  • All BIOS update files for NUC Compute Element are available on Download Center.
  • Update instructions are also available in PDF format.

BIOS Update Instructions for NUC Compute Elements (PDF) PDF icon 
Size: 813 KB 
Date: November 2021

Note: PDF files require Adobe Acrobat Reader*

  • Downgrading the BIOS to an earlier version isn't recommended. An earlier BIOS version may not include support for bug fixes, critical security updates, or support the product revisions currently being manufactured.
  • All images in the examples used in the instructions are for illustration purposes only. Make sure to select the correct BIOS files for your NUC Compute Element.
  • If a BIOS update process is interrupted, your computer might not function properly. ASUS suggests the process be done in an environment with a steady power supply (preferably with UPS).

After any BIOS update, ASUS recommends the following steps:

  1. Press F2 during the start to enter BIOS Setup.
  2. Press F9 to set BIOS default values.
  3. Customize any BIOS settings, if desired (optional).
  4. Press F10 to save and exit BIOS Setup.

Click or the method for details:

Express BIOS Update

Download and save the Express BIOS update file (.EBU.exe) to a temporary directory on the target computer. Example:

 Download and save the Express BIOS update file

 

Double-click the *.EBU.exe file to run the Express BIOS update. 
Run the Express BIOS update

  1. A command dialog appears. Press Y to restart the computer and start the update.

Command dialog appears

  1. Wait 2-5 minutes for the update to complete.

Wait 2-5 minutes for the update to complete

  1. When the BIOS update is complete, the computer will boot back into Windows
F7 Update

The F7 BIOS Flash Update allows you to update the system BIOS during the boot process and before the operating system loads.

  1. Download and save the Recovery BIOS capsule (.cap) file to a USB device. Example:

Recovery BIOS capsule

  1. Plug the USB device into a USB port of the target computer
  2. Start the NUC. During boot, when the F7 prompt is displayed, press F7 to enter the BIOS Flash Update tool.

 

  1. Select the USB device and press Enter.

Select the USB device

  1. Select the .cap file and press Enter

Select the cap file

  1. Confirm you want to update the BIOS by pressing Enter.

Confirm you want to update the BIOS

  1. Wait 2-5 minutes for the update to complete.

Wait 2-5 minutes for the update to complete

  1. When the BIOS update is complete, the computer will boot back into Windows.
Power Button Menu Update

The Power Button Menu Update allows you to update the NUC Compute Elements BIOS during the start process and before the operating system loads.

  1. Download and save the Recovery BIOS (.cap) file to a USB device. Example:

Download and save the BIOS update file

  1. Plug the USB device into a USB port of the NUC when it is turned off (not in Hibernate or Sleep mode.
  2. Press the power button and hold it down for three seconds, then release it before the 4-second shutdown override. The Power Button Menu appears. (Options on the menu can vary, depending on the NUC model.)

Power Button Menu

  1. Press F7 to start the update.
  2. Wait 2-5 minutes for the update to complete.

Select the USB device

  1. When the BIOS update is complete, the computer will boot back into Windows.
UEFI Shell Update

The UEFI Flash BIOS update utility allows you to update the BIOS from the EFI Shell.

  1. Download the UEFI Flash BIOS Update file (*.UEFI.zip). Example:

Download the UEFI Flash BIOS Update file

  1. Double-click the *.UEFI.zip to extract its files

Double click the ZIP

  1. Copy the iFlashVEfi64.efi and the .cap files to a USB device.
  2. Connect the USB drive to a port on the NUC.
  3. Configure the BIOS of the target computer to boot to the EFI Shell:
    1. Press F2 during the start to enter the BIOS setup.
    2. Go to Boot > Secure Boot.
    3. Disable Secure Boot, if enabled.
    4. Go to Boot > Boot Priority.
    5. Enable Internal UEFI Shell.
    6. Press F10 to save changes and exit BIOS Setup.
  1. Press F10 during boot to open the Boot Menu.
  2. Select UEFI: Built-in EFI Shell.

Select UEFI Built in EFI Shell

  1. Change the current directory to the USB flash drive by entering the command fsX: where X is the drive number of the USB flash drive from the device mapping list. For example: if your USB drive is fs0, then type fs0: and press Enter.
  2. At the command prompt, type iFlashVEfi64.efi XXX.cap /q /jbc, where XXX.cap is the filename of the .cap file and press Enter.

Command prompt

  1. Press Y to begin the update.
  2. Wait for the BIOS update to complete.

BIOS update process status window

  1. The computer will restart when finished.
  2. Set the BIOS back to original settings:
    1. Restart the computer.
    2. Press F2 during the start to enter the BIOS setup.
    3. Go to Boot > Boot Priority.
    4. Disable Internal UEFI Shell.
    5. Go to Boot > Secure Boot.
    6. Enable Secure Boot, if it was originally enabled.
    7. Press F10 to save changes and exit BIOS Setup.
Bios Recovery - Power Button Menu

BIOS Recovery by the Power Button Menu

  1. Download and save the Recovery BIOS file to a USB device. Example:

Save the Recovery BIOS file

  1. Copy the recovery file (*.cap) to a USB device.
  2. Plug the device into a USB port of the target computer when it is turned OFF.
  3. Press and hold the power button down for 3 seconds, then release it. The Power Button menu appears.

Power Button menu

  1. Press F4 to start the BIOS recovery.
  2. Wait 2-5 minutes for the recovery process to complete.
  3. The computer will either turn off when the recovery process is complete, or it will prompt you to turn it off.
  4. Remove the USB device.
  5. Restart the computer.
Bios Recovery - Security Switch
NoteBIOS recovery using the BIOS security jumper will clear Trusted Platform Module (TPM) keys, Platform Trust Technology (PTT) keys, and High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) keys. These keys will not be restored after the BIOS recovery.
  1. Download and save the Recovery BIOS (.cap) file to a USB device. Example:

Save the Recovery BIOS file

  1. Copy the recovery file (*.cap) to a USB device.
  2. Shut down the computer and unplug the AC power adapter.
  3. Open the chassis and move the switch on the NUC Compute Element to the “Recovery” position as in the picture below. (See the Product Specification for details including the switch settings and configuration.)

Recovery position

  1. Plug the USB device into a USB port of the target computer and turn it on.
  2. Wait 2-5 minutes for the recovery process to complete.
  3. The computer will either turn off when the recovery process is complete, or it will prompt you to turn it off.
  4. Remove the USB device.
  5. Move the switch to the "Normal" position.
  6. Close the chassis.
  7. Restart the computer.