After Firmware latest update, make sure to update intel ME Driver as well in Windows 11

[Deepsea]

Hello,

Just a PSA here, I've just updated my bios to the latest version just released end of May 2025, working great so far. I immediately noticed my CPU fan wasn't reading the temperature anymore since I have a Ryujin III with the readout on the front LCD. Opened up Armory crate, and it wasn't reading the CPU temp right at all either and was pegged at the last read number. The CPU fan was running as if it was at 70c when really it was at 48c.

After downloading the latest Intel ME driver from the Asus support site and installing it the reading worked once again. The CPU firmware update, updates the ME firmware as well so its likely the driver needs to match and this causes a problem with temp reporting. 

Hope this helps someone else! 🙂

Deepsea

[lmacmil]

Doesn't a BIOS update automatically update the ME driver also?  It always does on my B760M.

[Rooke]

No, the BIOS update only includes the IME firmware that's installed on the motherboard.  The IME drivers are what is installed in Windows and communicates between Windows and the IME firmware.

The drivers are downloaded and installed separately and should best be done before updating the BIOS/IME firmware combo.

[lmacmil]

There is no separate ME driver listed for my board (B760M-A D4) in the "Driver & tools" section.  The ME update tool in the BIOS section shows the same number that the BIOS update installs.  Maybe it's different for different chipsets.

[lmacmil]

I found the ME driver.  I had to "see all downloads" in the chipset section.  I didn't realize there were multiple different drivers rather than just older versions of the first one shown.  Live and learn!

[Rooke]

You can also find them in MoKiChU's threads.

[vortex1]

Do I need to worry about the CPU firmware if I already use the 'Intel® Driver & Support Assistant'?

According to that everything seems fine and up-to-date for my system in terms of the CPU itself and the iGPU. Temps and HWiNFO64 readings are also ok.

Just wondering if I still need to act. Thanks.

[Deepsea]

I've never used this but from what I'm reading it sounds like it keeps things up to date. I'm on an Asus Maximus Hero 790 and the ME driver was Intel Management Engine Interface V2505.7.2.0 (SW 2507.7.10.0) for Windows 10/11 64-bit released March 26, 2025

[lmacmil]

The Driver & Support Assistant will not update the ME driver or ME firmware.  You have to get those updates from Asus.

[vortex1]

This looks to be ok for me, as the ME is auto-updated with the BIOS upgrade I've already made, according to this:

Please confirm that I am correct.

Btw, there was no ME Firmware files on the ASUS site that I could see for my motherboard, probably because of the above reason.