firmware issues Archives

Winsage

January 1, 2026

Windows Registry Tweak Unlocks 80% SSD Speed Boost on Consumer PCs

A modification in the Windows Registry can enable a native NVMe driver, potentially doubling the performance of solid-state drives (SSDs) by enhancing random read and write speeds by up to 80%. This driver is typically reserved for enterprise environments and is not officially available for consumer versions of Windows 11. The modification carries risks, including the possibility of rendering a system unbootable and disrupting features like BitLocker encryption. Early adopters have reported mixed results, with some experiencing significant performance improvements while others face stability issues. The tweak highlights the disparity between consumer and enterprise hardware capabilities and reflects ongoing discussions within the tech community about optimizing SSD performance.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

Windows 11 SSD failures could be caused by glitchy drive firmware – here’s what you need to know

Recent investigations by the PCDIY group in China suggest that SSD failures may be linked to the use of pre-release Phison firmware intended for engineering rather than consumer use. Phison's U.S. General Manager, Michael Wu, stated that many reports of disappearing SSDs stem from media testing on hardware with early firmware versions, which differ from those provided to consumers. Tests by PCDIY indicated that SSD failures related to the Windows 11 update were associated with pre-release firmware. There is speculation that SSD manufacturers may have shipped drives with outdated firmware due to a failure to implement updates. While most affected drives are Phison-based, issues have also been reported in SSDs without Phison controllers. Consumers are advised to ensure their drives are running the latest firmware and to verify firmware versions in Windows' Device Manager.

Winsage

September 7, 2025

New report blames Phison’s pre-release firmware for SSD failures — not Microsoft’s August patch for Windows

The unexpected failures of solid-state drives (SSDs) have been linked to pre-release engineering firmware on certain SSDs, particularly after Microsoft's August security patch for Windows 11. Testing by the PCDIY! group indicated that crashes were primarily affecting drives with this pre-release firmware. Users reported SSDs disappearing after intensive file transfers, with some systems failing to recover after a reboot. Phison stated it could not replicate the failures after extensive testing and suggested thermal issues might be involved, recommending heatsinks to mitigate overheating. Microsoft denied any connection between its August update and the SSD failures, concluding there was no evidence of a flaw introduced by the update. Users with official production firmware are unlikely to face issues. It is advised to update SSD firmware and back up important data as a precaution.