KIOXIA SSD KBG40ZNS512G NVMe - "Firmware update resource image format is invalid or corrupt" Device Manager error

Computer: Dell XPS 8940
Windows 11 ver: 25H2 / build: 26200.7462
Dell BIOS version: 2.27.1 {is the most current release}
- SATA operation = AHCI
- SMART Reporting enabled

SSD installed: KIOXIA KBG40ZNS512G NVMe
- Model: KBG40ZNS, BG4 series
- In BIOS System Configuration > SATA: RAID ON {Changed to AHCI}
- This is spec’ed and labeled as an NVMe drive and per Google is Windows 11 compatible
- Label on the SSD chip reflects that the factory installed firmware version was 10.41.01.05.
- Device Manager shows Firmware version = 10.41.01.06. However, the Dell Update app shows, under the System Information tab, that NVMe firmware = 1041.0105 (aka 10.41.01.05)

The SSD NVMe drive is operational but I suspect that the Device Manager error below reflects that I am not getting the computer’s full NVMe performance level that it is capable of. Dell support staff have been responsive but have not yielded any insights or resolution. The Dell utilities Dell SupportAssist and Dell Update have been of little help. Furthermore, Dell does not post the firmware images for the SSD and because it is a custom build for Dell the manufacturer (KIOXIA) does support it or post firmware for it.

BIOS came from Dell configured as SATA Operation = RAID ON. However several posts cite this as wrong and should = AHCI. Making this change made no difference.

Under the Firmware section, Device Manager shows the following error message for “NVMe Firmware 10.41.01.06”
“This device cannot start. (Code 10). Firmware update resource image format is invalid or corrupt”

Using Device Manager I removed “NVMe Firmware 10.41.01.06” and selecting option to “uninstall firmware and remove all drivers”. This forced Windows Updates to initiate an auto identification and reinstall of NVMe Firmware. However, at pre-boot the error message "Firmware update failed" is displayed after which the computer status and information details remain identical as to before.

Device Manager shows Firmware version = 10.41.01.06. However, the Dell Update app shows, under the System Information tab, that NVMe firmware = 1041.0105 (aka 10.41.01.05)

I have found user posts going back to 2020 reporting this same issue but none of the threads reflect a resolution. If no one has insight re a resolution, I was hoping to get at least identify where to download both the .05 and .06 firmware images and a manual process for installing the firmware.

according to the full spec for that NVMe drive it uses HMB
(Host Memory Bus) which may require a registry change.

the default HMB size for Windows is 64MB some NVMe drives
have their default HMB size set to a larger amount, up to 200MB
this can cause issues such as yours.

all this registry change does is ensure the NVME drive uses the Windows default settings
please find this registry key within the Windows registry
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\StorPort

note .. if StorPort key is not within that hive then create a new key within that hive called StorPort

in the right window create a new DWORD 32 bit and name it

HmbAllocationPolicy

Click to expand...

set the HmbAllocationPolicy DWORD 32 bit to 2
(0x00000002)

save settings and close the Windows registry
a restart will be required for these settings to work
then see if that gives any improvement.

best of luck Steve ..

DTeamUser said:

Device Manager shows Firmware version = 10.41.01.06. However, the Dell Update app shows, under the System Information tab, that NVMe firmware = 1041.0105 (aka 10.41.01.05)

Click to expand...

For a definitive answer as to the installed firmware, either CrystalDiskInfo or HWiNFO can read the firmware version direct from the SSD.

XxXxX said:

according to the full spec for that NVMe drive it uses HMB
(Host Memory Bus) which may require a registry change.

the default HMB size for Windows is 64MB some NVMe drives
have their default HMB size set to a larger amount, up to 200MB

Click to expand...

HWiNFO shows that Windows 11 25H2 is already using the default 64MB on my Dell without setting HmbAllocationPolicy.

DTeamUser said:

...because it is a custom build for Dell the manufacturer (KIOXIA) does support it or post firmware for it.

Click to expand...

It's not specifically customised for Dell. It's what's called a 'Client SSD', that's an SSD that's only supplied to OEMs. Several other OEMs use the BG4 series, including Lenovo. They are all the same SSD with the same firmware, whichever OEM has used them. Specs here:

BG4 Series
Client SSD
The BG4 series is a line-up of compact single package NVMe™ SSDs with capacities up to 1,024 GB, and leverages a PCIe® Gen3x4 interface and KIOXIA’s 96-layer TLC BiCS FLASH™. With higher bandwidth and improved flash management and Host Memory Buffer (HMB) technology, BG4 SSDs deliver best-in-class read performance in single package SSDs, of up to 2,300 MB/s (sequential read) and up to 390K IOPS (random read), with active power consumption of up to 3.7 W (Typ.).

Click to expand...

DTeamUser said:

I was hoping to get at least identify where to download both the .05 and .06 firmware images and a manual process for installing the firmware.

Click to expand...

.06 from Dell here:


Note: Kioxia was originally part of Toshiba until it was spun off as a separate company. The names Toshiba/Kioxia can be used interchangeably, they're the same device whatever name it has.

@Bree
its good to see that hopefully the HMB problem has been resolved for some systems and NVMe drives.

best of luck Steve ..

XxXxX said:

@Bree
its good to see that hopefully the HMB problem has been resolved for some systems and NVMe drives.

Click to expand...

Apparently it was only ever an issue for a few specific 2TB SSDs.

this particular issue is known to impact only specific 2TB capacity models of certain Western Digital and SanDisk NVMe SSD product lines.

Click to expand...

Bree said:

Apparently it was only ever an issue for a few specific 2TB SSDs.

Addressing Windows 11 24H2 BSODs on Select WD & SanDisk SSDs • DROIX Knowledge Base - Tutorials for Everything

If you are experiencing BSOD with Windows 24H4 and WD SSDs, this fix will resolve the issue.

droix.net

Click to expand...

i have a 1TB WD SN580 Blue NVMe and it has the 200MB HMB problem
this is even after a firmware upgrade from Western Digital to the latest firmware.



i had to use the HMB registry change to solve the problem.
best of luck Steve ..

You have the correct firmware no worries. The Device Manager saying 10.41.01.06 would be correct.

DTeamUser said:

Under the Firmware section, Device Manager shows the following error message for “NVMe Firmware 10.41.01.06”
“This device cannot start. (Code 10). Firmware update resource image format is invalid or corrupt”

Click to expand...

The error messages are either due to trying to install Kioxia firmware or the same OEM version that is already present.

The SSD firmware may have come via Windows updates not the Dell Update app.
Look in both your Dell/Windows updates history for SSD firmware updates, however earlier update history may disappear.

Laptops in general will have OEM SSD firmware which you get via the manufacturer/windows updates. The SSD management App from Kioxia may have a warning not to install from them.

You will get stressed micromanaging apparent inconsistences.