Fixing a bricked Framework laptop
Fixing a bricked Framework laptop
修复一台变砖的 Framework 笔记本电脑
In 2023, I was in need of a new laptop that should hopefully last me for a while. While looking at my options, I was seduced by Framework’s promise of a repairable and upgradable laptop that supports Linux out-of-the-box without weird driver issues, as well as the option to assemble the laptop myself and buy the RAM and SSD I want separately, back when they were cheap. 2023 年，我需要一台能用上一段时间的新笔记本电脑。在考察各种选择时，Framework 承诺提供一款可维修、可升级且开箱即支持 Linux（不会有奇怪的驱动问题）的笔记本电脑，这深深吸引了我。此外，它还允许我自行组装，并能单独购买我想要的内存和固态硬盘（当时价格还很便宜）。
For three years, the laptop has served me well, until Framework suggested via newsletter to install the latest BIOS update, version 3.20, with a bunch of security fixes. Unfortunately, the system hung and displayed a corrupt image on the screen, signifying a failed BIOS flash. 这台笔记本电脑陪伴我度过了三年，表现一直很好，直到 Framework 通过时事通讯建议我安装包含一系列安全修复的最新 BIOS 更新（版本 3.20）。不幸的是，系统在更新过程中卡死，屏幕上显示出损坏的图像，这意味着 BIOS 刷写失败了。
Naturally, I reached out to Framework support, who told me to unplug the laptop, let the battery drain, and power it back on again afterwards, hoping the laptop would recover by itself. Unfortunately, it never did, and after giving Framework a bunch of information, they informed me that since my 1-year warranty has expired, I have no option but to purchase a new Framework motherboard, which will cost at least CA$500. 我自然联系了 Framework 的技术支持，他们让我拔掉电源，等电池耗尽后再重新开机，希望笔记本能自行恢复。遗憾的是，它并没有恢复。在向 Framework 提供了一系列信息后，他们告知我，由于我的 1 年保修期已过，我别无选择，只能购买一块新的 Framework 主板，费用至少为 500 加元。
A quick search revealed that many people had issues with BIOS flashes with this specific BIOS update on the Framework forums, even those in warranty, and on a different thread, people have been having similar issues with BIOS flashing in general on this model since at least March of 2025. To my knowledge, Framework has never acknowledged the issue or offered any indication that the problem was fixed, so buying a new motherboard would simply be playing Russian roulette if I ever wanted to update the BIOS again, on top of spending CA$500+ through no fault of my own. 快速搜索后我发现，在 Framework 论坛上，许多人（甚至包括还在保修期内的用户）在安装这个特定的 BIOS 更新时都遇到了刷写问题。在另一个讨论帖中，人们提到自 2025 年 3 月起，该型号在 BIOS 刷写方面就一直存在类似问题。据我所知，Framework 从未承认过这个问题，也没有迹象表明该问题已得到修复。因此，购买新主板无异于玩俄罗斯轮盘赌——如果我以后想再次更新 BIOS，还得冒着同样的风险，更何况我还要为非我过错导致的故障支付 500 多加元。
Thus, I opted against buying a new motherboard and embarked upon a journey to flash the BIOS myself. I documented this journey in excruciating detail so that hopefully, by following along, you’ll understand exactly how you might fix similar problems. 因此，我决定不买新主板，而是踏上了自行刷写 BIOS 的旅程。我极其详细地记录了这段过程，希望通过阅读本文，你能确切了解如何修复类似的问题。
Why Framework?
为什么选择 Framework？
In 2023, my basic requirement for a laptop was as follows: Compatible with Linux; Small and light enough for travel; A standard US keyboard layout, not that horrible Canadian Multilingual Standard layout that’s somehow very common in Canada; A modern CPU, but not necessarily super high core count, as I don’t intend to do intensive compiling or gaming while travelling; and Socketed RAM and SSD, so I can upgrade those down the line, or buy from a third party if it made financial sense. 2023 年，我对笔记本电脑的基本要求如下：兼容 Linux；轻便易于携带；标准的美国键盘布局（而不是加拿大那种不知为何非常普遍的、糟糕的加拿大法语多语言标准布局）；现代 CPU（不一定需要超多核心，因为我不打算在旅行时进行繁重的编译或游戏任务）；以及可插拔的内存和固态硬盘，以便日后升级，或者在价格合适时从第三方购买配件。
I wanted to start it at 32 GiB of RAM and 1 TB of SSD, since those were reasonably affordable in 2023. As such, my options are effectively limited to the 13” thin-and-light laptops without a discrete GPU. At the time, AMD Ryzen was ahead of Intel in the performance department, so I decided to go for an AMD CPU. 我希望起步配置为 32 GiB 内存和 1 TB 固态硬盘，因为在 2023 年这些配置的价格还算合理。因此，我的选择实际上仅限于没有独立显卡的 13 英寸轻薄本。当时，AMD Ryzen 在性能方面领先于英特尔，所以我决定选择 AMD CPU。
There were a plethora of 13” thin-and-light AMD Ryzen laptops that fit the bill, but since I didn’t need the new laptop right away, I figured I might as well try something new. At the time, Framework was a relative newcomer on the laptop scene, promising a repairable and upgradable experience, along with swappable ports. 当时市面上有大量符合要求的 13 英寸 AMD Ryzen 轻薄本，但由于我不急着要新电脑，我想不如尝试一些新鲜的东西。那时，Framework 在笔记本领域还是个相对的新手，它承诺提供可维修、可升级的体验，以及可更换的接口。
I rather liked the idea of not being locked to the ports that the manufacturer decided to put onto the laptop, and I wanted more upgradability also. It definitely helped that Linux came with full first-party support and no requirement to run patched kernels or anything crazy like that. 我非常喜欢这种“不被厂商预设接口所束缚”的理念，同时也希望有更高的可升级性。此外，Linux 拥有完整的官方支持，无需运行打过补丁的内核或进行任何疯狂的操作，这无疑是一个巨大的加分项。
Furthermore, Framework was a very big proponent of the right to repair movement, and I strongly believe that laptops should be repairable, like desktops, and not just thrown away after a minor problem, so I also wanted to support them on that front. 此外，Framework 是“维修权”运动的坚定支持者。我坚信笔记本电脑应该像台式机一样可以维修，而不是在出现小问题后就被扔掉，因此我也想在这一方面支持他们。
So I decided to just go for it and pre-ordered a Framework laptop, and it finally arrived a few months later to much anticipation. I simply slotted in the RAM and SSD, connected the input cover, screwed it in, installed the bezels, and that was it. It honestly felt a bit anti-climactic for a DIY laptop. I then put in a Debian netinst USB drive, and I was off to the races. 于是我决定尝试一下，预订了一台 Framework 笔记本电脑。几个月后，在万众期待中它终于到货了。我只需插入内存和固态硬盘，连接输入盖，拧上螺丝，安装边框，就完成了。说实话，对于一台 DIY 笔记本来说，这感觉有点平淡。随后我插入 Debian 网络安装 U 盘，一切就绪。
For the next three years, I actually had a relatively nice experience, and the AMD Ryzen 5 7640U with Radeon 760M Graphics was still plenty fast for what I needed the laptop to do. There was definitely no need to upgrade, though I could, in theory. 在接下来的三年里，我的使用体验相当不错。AMD Ryzen 5 7640U 配备 Radeon 760M 显卡，对于我的需求来说速度绰绰有余。虽然理论上我可以升级，但实际上完全没有必要。
The fatal BIOS flash
致命的 BIOS 刷写
For the longest time, Framework appeared to be a very consumer-friendly company, providing regular BIOS updates and an easy way to install them on Linux through the Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS) and fwupd. In fact, I am subscribed to Framework’s newsletter, which informs me of any updates coming out. 长期以来，Framework 看起来是一家非常友好的公司，他们定期提供 BIOS 更新，并通过 Linux 供应商固件服务 (LVFS) 和 fwupd 提供在 Linux 上安装更新的简便方法。事实上，我订阅了 Framework 的时事通讯，它会通知我任何发布的更新。
I’ve done many BIOS updates on Framework through fwupdmgr update, and save for the annoyance of rebooting the laptop and waiting like ten minutes for the BIOS updater to finish flashing, nothing bad has ever happened.
我通过 fwupdmgr update 在 Framework 上进行过多次 BIOS 更新，除了重启电脑并等待大约十分钟让 BIOS 更新程序完成刷写比较烦人之外，从未发生过任何坏事。
On July 7th, 2026, Framework sent me the following email: 2026 年 7 月 7 日，Framework 向我发送了以下邮件：
From: Framework support@frame.work Subject: Software update for your Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen™ 7040 Series) - BIOS 3.20 发件人：Framework support@frame.work 主题：Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen™ 7040 系列) 的软件更新 - BIOS 3.20
We have a BIOS update for your Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen™ 7040 Series). We recommend always installing the latest version of BIOS and drivers to keep your system secure, stable, and running at high performance. 我们为您的 Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen™ 7040 系列) 提供了 BIOS 更新。我们建议始终安装最新版本的 BIOS 和驱动程序，以保持系统的安全、稳定和高性能运行。
BIOS 3.20, with updaters for Windows and Linux Added support for Framework Laptop 13 Pro features - Enabled com… BIOS 3.20，包含 Windows 和 Linux 更新程序 增加了对 Framework Laptop 13 Pro 功能的支持 - 启用了 com…