Persistent POST and Boot Issues after BIOS Update (ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WIFI)

[jamaalfans]

Persistent POST and Boot Issues after BIOS Update (ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WIFI)

Dear Support Team,

I'm currently experiencing persistent POST and booting problems after updating the BIOS of my ASUS ROG STRIX Z790-F GAMING WIFI motherboard. Here is a detailed explanation of my issues:

Problem Description:

After updating BIOS from version 2503 to the latest (2801), I encountered critical booting problems:

1. Unable to Boot Automatically:

   • Every time I restart or shut down my system, the computer fails to boot normally.
   • The screen remains completely black after restarting or shutting down and powering on the PC again.
   • I must force shutdown by pressing and holding the power button for approximately 5 seconds.
   • After powering back on, the system displays a message indicating:

   “The system has POSTed in safe mode. This may be due to the previous POST attempt failing because of system instability or changes to UEFI settings...”

   • At this stage, I need to press F1, manually select the Windows Boot Manager, and only then will Windows successfully boot.

Additional observations:

• Before updating the BIOS, both my SSDs (Corsair MP700 PRO PCIe Gen5 and Samsung 990 PRO) functioned normally and booted Windows 11 Pro for Workstations seamlessly.
• After the BIOS update, neither of my installed SSDs (both confirmed to be GPT formatted with UEFI and Secure Boot enabled) appear correctly in the boot menu, although they are detected in BIOS NVMe Configuration.
• Additionally, I tried multiple troubleshooting steps, including reverting the BIOS firmware back to version 2503, resetting CMOS, changing BIOS settings (CSM disabled, Secure Boot set to Windows UEFI mode), and verifying all settings thoroughly without success.

Current BIOS Configuration:

• BIOS Mode: UEFI (Secure Boot Enabled)
• Launch CSM: Disabled
• PCIe Slot: PCIe Gen5 mode
• SSDs detected under NVMe Storage, but not bootable directly.
• Integrated Graphics: Black screen/no BIOS output when GPU (RTX 4070 Ti) is removed and using onboard CPU graphics (Intel i9-14900KF).

Current Problems:

• POST fails continuously causing the system to enter safe mode.
• The PC doesn't boot Windows unless manual intervention is done (force shutdown, restart, pressing F1, selecting Windows Boot Manager explicitly).
• Performance of PCIe Gen5 SSD is limited to Gen4 speeds (~7000 MB/s), and no available SSD firmware updates detected using Corsair SSD Toolbox software.
• Persistent black screens on restart/shutdown that require forced power cycling.

Actions already performed without success:

• BIOS version downgraded and re-updated (versions tested: 2503, 2703, 2801).
• BIOS settings reset to defaults multiple times.
• Windows 11 installed in GPT UEFI mode, secure boot enabled, fresh installations attempted.
• Performed multiple integrity checks (SFC, DISM).
• Cleared CMOS multiple times.
• Attempted enabling/disabling Secure Boot & CSM modes repeatedly.
• Performed all recommended troubleshooting from ASUS forums and guides without any resolution.

I kindly request your urgent assistance to resolve this persistent and highly disruptive issue. Please guide me on further steps to correct this BIOS and boot instability.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

Best regards,

[Jiaszzz_ASUS]

Hello @jamaalfans 

Sorry for the delayed response and any inconvenience this may have caused.
Could you confirm whether the automatic startup is configured as a scheduled power-on or enabled through Wake on LAN (WOL) settings?
If you update to the latest BIOS version 2801 using the USB BIOS FlashBack method, does the issue improve?
Based on the described scenario, we recommend removing all SSDs and HDDs to check if the system can boot into the BIOS without any error messages.
If needed, please try a minimal hardware test by removing the chassis, installing only the CPU, a single RAM module in the DIMM_A2 slot, the CPU fan, and the PSU on the motherboard before clearing CMOS and testing the boot-up process. This will help isolate potential hardware issues.

Thank you.