Latest Samsung 990 Pro firmware

idainc · Mar 30, 2026

For unknown reasons I was not able to update the firmware from within Magician. I downloaded the ISO form the Samsung site and created a bootable USB and received the sttched screens. Now I'm lost and I dont want to fry anything.

Can someone point me in the right direction ? Thanks.

Asus272 · Mar 30, 2026

I've used Samsung Magician for years for monitoring, updating and upgrading to a newer Samsung drive. I updated the firmware on 2 drives recently no problems... Is it the latest version 9.0.1? . I would uninstall it and download a new copy first....,

BrianInEngland · Mar 30, 2026

Disable Secure boot until you've done the firmware update

idainc · Mar 30, 2026

BrianInEngland said:
Disable Secure boot until you've done the firmware update

I reviewed this with Samsung. My bios does not have the ability to disable Secure Boot from the screen I am presented when I hit ESC on booting. I did not realize that I could access the UEFI screen thorugh recovery.

Once i have secure boot disbled should I use the Magician screen to do the update or use a Rufus USB ?

Samsung did ask what issues I was having with the drive and there are none. THye volunteered that there would be no performance improvement after the update.

Asus272 · Mar 30, 2026

What version of Samsung Magician do you have? Click on 'update' in the upper right corner of Samsung Magician. It needs to be on the latest version to work.... I did not turn secure boot off to update the firmware of either of my machines. I do however have bit locker turned off...

Yes, it is highly recommended to suspend or turn off BitLocker encryption before updating Samsung NVMe SSD firmware. While not always mandatory, doing so prevents firmware updates from being blocked, avoids triggering BitLocker recovery screens, and mitigates risks of data loss or becoming locked out. [1, 2, 3]

Key Recommendations:

Suspend/Disable BitLocker: Temporarily turn off BitLocker through the Control Panel before updating.
Backup Data: Always back up important data before any firmware update.
Re-enable Protection: Resume BitLocker protection immediately after the firmware update is completed.
Keep Recovery Key: Ensure you have your BitLocker recovery key handy, as firmware changes can prompt for it. [1, 2, 4, 5, 6]

If using Samsung Magician, it may run properly without disabling it, but suspending it reduces the risk of errors. [1]

AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
[1] Samsung - NVME SSD - How to update firmware if Magician fails | OlavDocs
[2] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/3852772/is-there-a-way-to-suspend-bitlocker-key-before-upd
[3]

https://www.reddit.com/r/Windows11/comments/pwgxq1/bitlocker_can_prevent_windows_update_from

[4] Disabling BitLocker to permit firmware updates
[5] How to prevent bitlocker start-up after windows updates? - Microsoft Q&A
[6] https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/answers/questions/3825943/should-i-enable-bitlocker-or-not

idainc · Mar 30, 2026

Steps so far –

Made a rufus of the ISO

Turned off secure boot

Attempted to do the update through Magician

Turned on Secure boot still no joy

Made another usb with the Samsung recommended boot usb unetbootin

Tried a usb boot both with secure boot enabled and disabled.

Bit locker was off in all cases.

I’m sort of at a loss. The PC is reading all the USB ports I tried and still no joy.

I wonder if its posible that the ISO may generate somethign in its bootable form that prevents it form being read ?

Asus272 · Mar 30, 2026

What kind of error do you get when you try to do the firmware update with Samsung Magician? I have that same drive nvme 990 pro 2 tb that I updated this month with Samsung Magician. I found another thread of yours on July 4, 2025 where you had problems with VMD controller was that ever resolved?

idainc · Mar 30, 2026

The VMD error was never resolved. This is the same drive. Thedrive magically appeared to have upgraded itself through Magician.

I'm considering asking for a warranty replacement. Its not even a year old. Apparently this PC, a two year old HP AIO, has a bios that although its set to boot to the usb if it doesnt see it there it reverts to the NVME. I tried a few slots and formatted the drive repeatedly. The drive is OK but the software on it form Samsung is defective.

Asus272 · Mar 30, 2026

You need to put the USB into a drive and do a restart and use the esc or F2 or whatever key is needed to enter your bios. Next change the order of the boot squence so the USB is first. Save the change and exit bios to allow it to do a restart and boot using the USB. If the USB doesn't show up in bios it's not bootable. Only valid bootable USB's will show up. I learned this the hard way...

idainc · Mar 30, 2026

Asus272 said:
You need to put the USB into a drive and do a restart and use the esc or F2 or whatever key is needed to enter your bios. Next change the order of the boot squence so the USB is first. Save the change and exit bios to allow it to do a restart and boot using the USB. If the USB doesn't show up in bios it's not bootable.

Thanks. I did exactly that and both pieces of software failed. I wiped the drive several times and wrote files to it repeatedly to be certain the drive was working. Thers nothing wrong with the drive. I think Ive exhausted all the possibilities. What I found unusual was that the NVME update failed repeatedly through Magician and then suddenly it updated.

Asus272 · Mar 30, 2026

Maybe you can get it replaced from Samsung, It's an expensive drive . Good luck

Asus272 · Mar 30, 2026

Yes, you can run chkdsk on an NVMe SSD to fix file system corruption, but it is generally recommended to use only the parameter () rather than the parameter. While safe to run, causes unnecessary wear by scanning for bad sectors, which NVMe drives manage automatically. [1, 2]

Key Considerations for on NVMe:

Safe Commands: Use to fix file system errors, or just for a read-only check.
Avoid : Avoid using frequently, as it forces a surface scan, which is unnecessary and puts wear on flash storage.
Built-in Management: NVMe drives (and SSDs) automatically detect and remap bad sectors.
Alternatives: For checking the actual health of an NVMe, it is better to use the manufacturer's SSD utility (e.g., Samsung Magician) or S.M.A.R.T. tools like CrystalDiskInfo. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

How to Run It:

Open Command Prompt as Administrator.
Type (replace with your drive letter).
Restart your computer if asked to schedule the check. [5, 6]

AI can make mistakes, so double-check responses
[1] How safe is it to run CHKDSK on an SSD?
[2] https://www.askwoody.com/forums/topic/use-of-chkdsk-on-ssd/
[3] The value of running CHKDSK on an SSD?

idainc · Mar 30, 2026

I’ll probably have to buy a new one from them and return this for credit. And the new one has to have the new firmware. Between it originally rejecting then accepting it and now an iso that’s not generating readable results I’ve about had enough. I’ve been building machines since 1988 and this is an odd problem. Thank you for you replies.

idainc · Mar 31, 2026

Update - I spoke with Samsung and they're happy to take the drive back and flash it for me which for a single user / single PC doesnt work. It would take a month or so. I inquired about doing a trans ship and they rejected that too. I'm running an HP AIO that doesnt have the ability to disable raid so for the moment I'm SOL.

idainc · May 14, 2026

Quite by accident I discovered a way to update the firmware that doesnt require another PC or sending it back to Samsung.

1. Make a Windows To Go 64gb USB with Rufus.
2. Remove the 990 Pro and install it into an NVME USB enclosure.
3. Boot the Windows USB and download and install the latest Samsung Magician.
4. Flash the firmware and reinstall the 990.

This bypasses the Intel RST controller.

Latest Samsung 990 Pro firmware

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