We tried updating our computer’s BIOS to the latest version because we were having some problems. We put the new firmware file on a USB drive, started the computer, and tried to update using Instant Flash. But, we got a message saying “No image file detected” even though the USB drive was plugged in with the firmware file on it. This article talks about how we figured out what was wrong and fixed it.
Related resource: How to Enable TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot on ASRock
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What we tried first to fix the “No image file detected” error in Instant Flash
Ensuring the USB drive functionality
First, we checked if the USB drive was working by plugging it into another computer. We looked to see if it showed up and if we could open and move a small file to and from it. This step is important to make sure the USB drive itself isn’t the problem.
Formatting the USB drive to FAT32
Next, we made sure the USB drive was formatted to FAT32 because that’s what the BIOS/UEFI needs. We right-clicked the drive, went to ‘Properties’ to check its format, found it wasn’t FAT32, backed up our files, and then formatted it to FAT32. We chose FAT32 from the options and clicked ‘Start’ for a quick format.
Deleting unnecessary contents in the drive
We also cleaned up the USB drive, leaving only the firmware file. This is because having too many files might confuse the BIOS/UEFI, and it might not find the firmware file. So, we made sure only the needed file was there.
Even after doing all this, we still had the problem. So, we knew the issue wasn’t with the USB drive or how it was formatted, but with the firmware file itself.
Linked issue: Can’t find TPM 2.0 and Secure Boot options in BIOS
What actually caused the “No image file detected” issue and how we fixed it
Firmware mismatch…
At first, we didn’t think the problem was with the firmware file. But after checking everything else, we looked at the file again. We compared its name and version to what was on the ASRock website for our motherboard model.
That’s when we noticed we had the wrong file. Our motherboard was “ASRock B450 Steel Legend,” but we downloaded the file for “ASRock B450M Steel Legend,” a different model. Firmware files are specific to each model, so this was a big deal.
The importance of correct motherboard’s firmware
The Instant Flash feature did a good job by not letting us install the wrong firmware. Wrong firmware can mess up the motherboard in many ways, even make it completely stop working. This safety feature probably saved our motherboard.
Downloading the correct firmware
Once we realized our mistake, we were very careful to get the right firmware file. We went to the ASRock website, found our motherboard model, and made sure we got the correct file.
It’s better to be careful with search engines like Google or Bing because they might lead you to the wrong model. Always double-check on the official website.
Successful firmware update
With the right firmware file, we tried updating again. This time, Instant Flash found the file, showing we had the right one for our motherboard.
We ran the update without turning off the computer or interrupting it, because that could ruin the motherboard. After the update, we restarted the computer and saw that the BIOS was now up-to-date.
Final thoughts
Everything we tried, from making sure the USB drive worked, to formatting it correctly, and keeping only the firmware file on it, was important. These steps didn’t solve the problem directly, but they helped us focus on the real issue, the firmware file.
The feature that checks for compatible firmware is really helpful. It stops you from installing the wrong firmware, which could damage the motherboard.
Whether you’re experienced or new to building computers, always be careful with BIOS updates. Paying attention to small details, like making sure you have the right firmware model, can save your hardware.
