I encountered an error trying to update the Thunderbolt 3 firmware for my NUC6i7KYK.
I have the latest TB3 driver 16.2.52.250 installed and OS is Windows 10 Version 1607. Thunderbolt firmware update tool version is 0018, downloaded from downloadcenter.intel.com.
Let me know if there is a method to get past this error so the firmware update can take place.
Hello scan80269:
In regard to the installation of the Thunderbolt™ 3 Firmware Update, it is recommended to install the update first and then the bus driver.
So, please uninstall the driver 16.2.52.250, and then install the firmware update 0018 first and then the driver again.
Remember that in order to do the firmware update, a thunderbolt device needs to be attached to the port, and should be recognize as a thunderbolt device by Windows.
On the following ink you will see the instructions of how to do the firmware update:
https://downloadmirror.intel.com/26141/eng/Thunderbolt-3-Firmware-Update-Tool-Guide.pdf
Any questions, please let me know.
Alberto
Hi Alberto,
I uninstalled driver 16.2.52.250 (in Control Panel), then launched the firmware update and immediately got this:
It seems like the driver package provides a service that is needed for the firmware update.
To do the TB3 firmware update I've been connecting two NUC6i7KYK units with a short StarTech TB3 cable. Each NUC running Win10 shows a Thunderbolt controller in Device Manager. The NUC6i7KYKs were bought at different times, and it's the one bought earlier that is having firmware update difficulty. The NUC bought more recently underwent the TB3 firmware update successfully. There may be something different about the NUC bought earlier. The NVM Firmware version is older.
Thanks.
Hello scan80269:
Thank you very much for providing that information.
Based on the fact that you tried installing the driver 16.2.52.250 first and then the update, and also the firmware update before installing the driver, and the problem persists, then as you mentioned, the problem could be related to the NUC itself.
Based on that, another option will be to do a BIOS update to the latest version.
Instructions to do a BIOS update using the F7 method:
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/boards-and-kits/desktop-boards/000005724.html
And this is the .BIO file needed for version 0042:
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/download/26338/BIOS-Update-KYSKLi70-86A-?product=89187
Also, we can always replace the NUC for you, for a newer version where the NVM Firmware will be newer.
You can check for the replacement on the place of purchase, to verify if they can do that, or we can always replace it for you, If you are interested in the replacement, please get in contact directly with us through chat, email, phone or online support, you just need to select NUC on product type and you will get those options:
http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/contact-support.html#@12
Any questions, please let me know.
Alberto
Hi Alberto,
Thanks for your response. Both my NUC6i7KYK units have already been updated to BIOS 0042 before I attempted the TB3 firmware update.
On the NUC that is failing the TB3 firmware update, I suppose I can try forcing another BIOS update (to 0042) using the recovery method. Not sure if that will help, but I'm going to give it a try.
Hello scan80269:
Thank you very much for that information, yes, if you already tried the update before, then as you mentioned it might not make a difference but you can always try it, otherwise a replacement will be the thing to do.
Any questions, please let me know.
Alberto
Hi Alberto,
I have successfully done a BIOS recovery to 0042 for the older NUC6i7KYK, but the TB3 firmware update still fails as before.
Is there an option to force the TB3 firmware to update despite the 0x21D error reported above?
Thanks!
Hello scan80269:
In this case then, we will start an investigation on this matter, in order to try to find a possible resolution for this problem.
As soon as I get any results from it, I will post all the details on this thread.
Any questions, please let me know.
Alberto
Hello scan80269:
In order to continue with our investigation, we just need the following information:
Please provide the AA and serial numbers of the NUCs, we need those numbers from the NUC is not working and from any of the NUCs where the TB update was done successfully, also we need the brand, model and firmware of the SSDs, form those same two units.
Any questions, please let me know.
Alberto
Hi Alberto,
What is AA number, and where is it located?
Thanks,
scan80269
On the bottom of the NUC, there is a sticker with the Serial Number and the AA Number (or, in this case, SA number)...
Hello scan80269:
Sorry is actually SA number, and it is located on the back of the NUC, and the number next to it is the serial number.
Any questions, please let me know.
Alberto
NUC6i7KYK where TB3 firmware update succeeded:
S/N: BTKY626000GU, SA# H90755-103
NUC6i7KYK where TB3 firmware update failed:
S/N: BTKY6100007Z, SA# H90759-101
SSD in both NUCs: Intel SSD Pro 6000P, 256GB, M.2 2280, NVMe, PCIe x4
Both NUCs run Windows 10 Anniversary Edition (Version 1607) with latest Intel drivers (chipset, graphics, Ethernet, etc.) installed.
Hello scan80269:
Thank you very much for providing that information, we will continue with our investigation in order to find out if there is a work around to install the TB update and if it works for all the different revisions of the NUC.
Any questions, please let me know.
Alberto
Hello scan80269:
Even though the SSD is the same on both NUC’s, could you please try to swap them?
This is just to verify if the problem follows the SSD or not.
Any questions, please let me know.
Alberto