Hello everyone.
I have an ASUS ROG Strix Z690-A Gaming WIFI D4 motherboard and an ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 connected to it on the last PCIe slot.
I am running Windows 11 and use this device for music production which is my work (I require thunderbolt for my studio).
My build had been working perfectly fine with thunderbolt when I had BIOS version 1304. I did however have a different issue at the time where my machine would not post if I set any XMP (I or II) on. I was working with the BIOS load defaults and had to work with my RAM at 2666MHz despite it having a capacity of 4000MHz.
I noticed I was very behind on the BIOS updates so I thought perhaps this XMP issue would be fixed if I did the update. I updated to the latest BIOS version 2204 and it fixed the XMP problem. However, thunderbolt functionality completely stopped - which is even worse because now I can't really work. And for the record, I updated Intel ME before updating the BIOS.
Under "Device Manager" I see "Thunderbolt(TM) Controller - 1137" has a yellow triangle on it and when I see it's properties it shows an error message saying "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems (Code 43)". Also, if I go to the Thunderbolt Control Center app and click on "About" it shows the correct application version but the "controller driver version" has a weird "N/A". No devices get recognized when connecting via thunderbolt. I can tell it is passing electricity since my CalDigit thunderbolt hub's led lights up when connected but Windows does not recognize the device and it does not work. No thunderbolt devices work with different cables and everything so the the issue is clearly related to whatever changed in thunderbolt when updating the BIOS.
I tried looking for more info on the "Event Viewer" but all I see is an Error stating the device "had a problem starting" with problem status 0xC00000E5. Which after doing some research does not really help me pin down a solution.
I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the thunderbolt drivers and thunderbolt control center, updated all other drivers, completed all Windows updates and optional updates, removed the ThunderboltEX from the PCIe slot and then placed it back in... but it made no difference. Finally, I found that ThunderboltEX 4 had a TB & PD firmware update I could try. I followed the instructions and when launching the Shell.efi from BIOS I got a weird message for "Thunderbolt Nvm" which says "No support update ,Please check Thunderbolt installed correctly and try again, or contact Asus customer service". For the "Cypress PD" part of the firmware update, it completed with no issues and is now version 129. I don't understand why it does not want to update the firmware of TB though and I don't understand what it means by "No support update".
I wish I could easily just go back to BIOS 1304 so I can have thunderbolt back but I'm scared to try since after BIOS version 2004 there are notes stating that rolling back to earlier versions is not supported. My only hope right now is that rolling back to BIOS 2103 or 2004 will resolve this. I'll report on that here but I was hoping someone had any ideas on what I can do to fix this. I really can't reinstall a fresh Windows OS since that would delete all my studio settings, configurations, plugins, programs which took years of putting together.
I have an ASUS ROG Strix Z690-A Gaming WIFI D4 motherboard and an ASUS ThunderboltEX 4 connected to it on the last PCIe slot.
I am running Windows 11 and use this device for music production which is my work (I require thunderbolt for my studio).
My build had been working perfectly fine with thunderbolt when I had BIOS version 1304. I did however have a different issue at the time where my machine would not post if I set any XMP (I or II) on. I was working with the BIOS load defaults and had to work with my RAM at 2666MHz despite it having a capacity of 4000MHz.
I noticed I was very behind on the BIOS updates so I thought perhaps this XMP issue would be fixed if I did the update. I updated to the latest BIOS version 2204 and it fixed the XMP problem. However, thunderbolt functionality completely stopped - which is even worse because now I can't really work. And for the record, I updated Intel ME before updating the BIOS.
Under "Device Manager" I see "Thunderbolt(TM) Controller - 1137" has a yellow triangle on it and when I see it's properties it shows an error message saying "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems (Code 43)". Also, if I go to the Thunderbolt Control Center app and click on "About" it shows the correct application version but the "controller driver version" has a weird "N/A". No devices get recognized when connecting via thunderbolt. I can tell it is passing electricity since my CalDigit thunderbolt hub's led lights up when connected but Windows does not recognize the device and it does not work. No thunderbolt devices work with different cables and everything so the the issue is clearly related to whatever changed in thunderbolt when updating the BIOS.
I tried looking for more info on the "Event Viewer" but all I see is an Error stating the device "had a problem starting" with problem status 0xC00000E5. Which after doing some research does not really help me pin down a solution.
I tried uninstalling and reinstalling the thunderbolt drivers and thunderbolt control center, updated all other drivers, completed all Windows updates and optional updates, removed the ThunderboltEX from the PCIe slot and then placed it back in... but it made no difference. Finally, I found that ThunderboltEX 4 had a TB & PD firmware update I could try. I followed the instructions and when launching the Shell.efi from BIOS I got a weird message for "Thunderbolt Nvm" which says "No support update ,Please check Thunderbolt installed correctly and try again, or contact Asus customer service". For the "Cypress PD" part of the firmware update, it completed with no issues and is now version 129. I don't understand why it does not want to update the firmware of TB though and I don't understand what it means by "No support update".
I wish I could easily just go back to BIOS 1304 so I can have thunderbolt back but I'm scared to try since after BIOS version 2004 there are notes stating that rolling back to earlier versions is not supported. My only hope right now is that rolling back to BIOS 2103 or 2004 will resolve this. I'll report on that here but I was hoping someone had any ideas on what I can do to fix this. I really can't reinstall a fresh Windows OS since that would delete all my studio settings, configurations, plugins, programs which took years of putting together.
1 ACCEPTED SOLUTION
Accepted Solutions
Jiaszzz@ROG wrote:
Hello, raugam111.
Could you help confirm if you have also updated the Intel Management Engine to the latest version, 16.1.25.2020, before updating the BIOS?
Please refer to [Motherboard] Intel® Management Engine Firmware Update Instructions(ME) > https://www.asus.com/support/FAQ/1047868
If the problem persists after the update, please provide an image of the BIOS main page, the ME firmware version.
Thank you.
Hello and thank you for your response. Yes, I had updated the Intel Management Engine to the latest version 16.1.25.2020 before updating the BIOS. I am providing an image of the BIOS main page with the ME firmware version. Problem persists and I currently believe rolling back to BIOS version 1304 should solve my issue. I am just not sure if rolling back from 2004 to 1304 would cause any other issues. Please advise.
EDIT:
I just tried downgrading (rolling back) BIOS version but as I feared, I am not able to. BIOS Flashback stays with the solid light on (error indicator). EZ Update from AI Suite 3 throws an error saying "The model of the BIOS image doesn't match the BIOS ROM currently present." and EZ Flash 3 in BIOS shows another error sating "Selected file is not a proper BIOS!"
However, I downloaded and used the proper method for flashing and updating the BIOS (including the renaming). How can I go back to the working BIOS version?
Hello, raugam111.
I appreciate you confirming that the Intel Management Engine is now installed at the most recent version.
At present, I have reported your situation to the relevant department for verification.
In the meanwhile, may I inquire as to whether the ThunderboltEX 4 is placed in the PCIEX16 (G3) of the motherboard, which is the No. 3 port in the below image, and if the cable is connected to the TB_HEADER which is the No. 18 port?
Thank you.
I appreciate you confirming that the Intel Management Engine is now installed at the most recent version.
At present, I have reported your situation to the relevant department for verification.
In the meanwhile, may I inquire as to whether the ThunderboltEX 4 is placed in the PCIEX16 (G3) of the motherboard, which is the No. 3 port in the below image, and if the cable is connected to the TB_HEADER which is the No. 18 port?
Thank you.
Jiaszzz@ROG wrote:
Hello, raugam111.
I appreciate you confirming that the Intel Management Engine is now installed at the most recent version.
At present, I have reported your situation to the relevant department for verification.
In the meanwhile, may I inquire as to whether the ThunderboltEX 4 is placed in the PCIEX1 (G3) of the motherboard, which is the No. 3 port in the below-displayed image, and if the cable is connected to the TB_HEADER which is the No. 18 port?
If not, please remove any other devices that are occupying the ports before attempting to configure the connection with the manual.
Thank you.
Hello Jiaszzz@ROG. Thank you for getting back to me and repoting. Yes, the ThunderbotlEX 4 is placed in the PCIEX (G3) slot with the TB_HEADER connected with the appropriate cable.
As mentioned earlier, this worked perfectly fine before updating to BIOS version 2204 from 1304. I was using thunderbolt and the ThunderboltEX 4 in my PC a few minutes before deciding to update the BIOS, so I am certain the BIOS update is the culprit of my thunderbolt issue. In BIOS versions 2204, 2103, and 2004 - the issue persists.
On the other thread, with the user Hackej, they had mentioned they were able to resolve their issue by receiving a "customized (bridge) BIOS version". https://rog.asus.com/forum/showthread.php?131615-TB-not-working-after-BOS-upgrade-2204&p=885694&post...
Is there any way you could help me get this "bridge" BIOS version so that I can roll back to a BIOS version earlier than 2004? I have tried asking ASUS support but have not been able to get any help getting this BIOS for my motherboard yet. This would solve my problem and allow me to continue working with my PC. Thank you!
