Phison 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

October 9, 2025

4 reasons why you might want to roll back to a previous Windows update

Microsoft’s August 2025 update (version KB5063878) caused significant issues for Phison-branded drives, leading to data loss, drive disappearance, and permanent corruption, attributed to a pre-release firmware issue. The 2018 Windows 10 update (version 1809) also resulted in users losing large amounts of files. Smaller problems, such as performance issues with gaming due to a new security feature in Windows 11, are common after updates. Compatibility issues, like the TPM 2.0 requirement, can force users to upgrade hardware. Updates can lead to performance problems, including slow application launches and crashes. Rolling back updates is often a solution, and users are advised to back up important files and create a System Restore snapshot before doing so.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

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

Recent discussions in the tech community have highlighted potential issues with SSD failures linked to pre-release firmware from Phison. An investigation by the Chinese PC enthusiast group PCDIY suggests that many SSDs crashing after the Windows 11 update were using these early firmware versions. Phison engineers have reportedly corroborated this, though an official statement is pending. Michael Wu, Phison's US General Manager, stated that the issues are related to 'preview drives' given to reviewers, which differ from final consumer products. He emphasized the importance of using updated firmware. Microsoft has cleared Windows 11 of any wrongdoing, suggesting the firmware may be the root cause. Reports indicate that SSDs not using Phison controllers have also faced similar issues. Users are advised to ensure their drives are on the latest firmware, which can be checked via Windows Device Manager, but should be cautious about updating due to associated risks.

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 9, 2025

Windows 11 SSD issues blamed on reviewers using ‘early versions of firmware’

Recent discussions have focused on the impact of Windows 11 security updates on Solid State Drives (SSDs) with Phison controllers, specifically updates KB5063878 and KB5062660, which some reports suggest may cause failures in certain SSD models. Phison clarified that the issues are due to early versions of firmware and BIOS, not the Windows updates. Michael Wu, General Manager of Phison US, stated that many reported problems originated from tests on hardware with early firmware versions, which are not the same as those provided to consumers. He encouraged users to update their firmware using manufacturer utilities. A notable incident involved YouTuber JayzTwoCents, who experienced performance issues with a Crucial T500 drive after the updates, although it is unclear if he was using pre-release firmware. Phison's investigation indicated that problems reported by the PCDIY! community were linked to engineering preview firmware, not the final consumer version. Microsoft has stated it found no connection between its updates and the drive failures, despite ongoing speculation fueled by social media and YouTubers.

Winsage

September 9, 2025

Finally! The real reason why SSDs are disappearing in Windows 11

Windows 11 users who installed the August 2025 KB5063878 update have reported issues with SSDs disappearing from File Explorer and BIOS. Investigations suggest that the problem is linked to preliminary firmware versions of certain SSDs being inadvertently activated by the update. Phison technicians confirmed that the affected SSDs were running on this unfinished firmware, which was not intended for consumer use. Users are advised to update their firmware and back up data to prevent potential loss.

Winsage

September 8, 2025

When SSDs Vanishes: How Windows 11 Users Can Protect Data Security in a Crisis

Following the release of the Windows 11 update KB5063878 in August 2025, users have reported significant issues with SSD and HDD drives, particularly those using the Phison NAND controller, such as the Corsair Force MP600 and SanDisk Extreme Pro. Many drives are no longer recognized by Windows 11, especially when transferring files larger than 50GB, leading to partitions appearing as RAW and prompting users to format the drive, risking data loss. Microsoft is aware of the issue and is working on a fix, while some users have found temporary relief through rebooting. Data recovery solutions, such as the EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard, are recommended for recovering lost data from malfunctioning drives, including those encrypted with BitLocker. Users are advised to back up critical data before installing system updates to prevent unexpected data loss.

Winsage

September 8, 2025

Engineering Firmware Identified As Root Cause For Windows 11 SSD Failures

The August 2025 Windows 11 update (KB5063878) has been linked to SSD failure reports, with users experiencing issues such as NVMe drives disappearing or data corruption during large file transfers. Phison, the manufacturer of some affected SSDs, conducted over 4,500 hours of testing and found no failures, which Microsoft also supported, stating no direct link to the update. A group of Chinese PC DIY enthusiasts claimed the problems stemmed from drives using pre-release engineering firmware, which can behave erratically, unlike the finalized production firmware. Phison engineers confirmed this finding, indicating that consumer drives with the final firmware should not be affected. Users experiencing issues are advised to update their firmware and back up important data before doing so.

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.

Winsage

September 6, 2025

Windows 11 SSD Crashing Issues May Be Linked to Pre-Production Firmware Sent to Reviewers; Retail Units Likely Unaffected

The recent SSD issues linked to Windows 11's security updates primarily affect early adopters and testers, not the average consumer. Investigations revealed that Phison could not replicate the reported crashes, and Microsoft confirmed that the issues were not related to the Windows 11 security update. The problems appear to stem from firmware versions of certain SSDs, specifically Corsair's MP600 and some Silicon Power models, which used pre-production engineering firmware. Retail versions of these SSDs have stable firmware, suggesting that consumers are unlikely to face similar issues. For those experiencing performance degradation, a 'Secure Erase' may help restore optimal performance.