Bricking

Category: infrastructure

Rendering a hardware device permanently useless, usually due to a failed firmware update.

Bricking is the "death sentence." If your PC loses power in the middle of a BIOS update, the board’s "brain" is partially deleted. It can no longer boot, and unless the board has a "Dual BIOS" or "BIOS Flashback" button, the unit is effectively dead.

Common Examples

• Always ensure your system is on a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) before attempting a BIOS update, to avoid the risk of bricking.
• Bricking a motherboard is rare, but it is the main reason manufacturers recommend only updating the BIOS if you have a specific problem.