How to update ASUS motherboards affected by speculative execution vulnerabilities

ASUS is aware of the Intel microcode vulnerabilities related to speculative execution and indirection branch prediction side channel analysis. We’re hard at work updating the affected platforms, which include ASUS and ROG motherboards for 6th-generation or newer Core processors, plus X99 and X299 boards built for Core X-series chips. If your system is one of those affected, we recommend downloading and installing the latest firmware from the motherboard’s support page, and also applying the latest Windows update for Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities.

Some of our latest models, like those from the new Z370 series, can download and apply firmware updates automatically from within the UEFI using EZ Flash 3. Our EZ Update utility offers similar functionality in a convenient Windows application.  The most reliable way to update the firmware is with the USB BIOS Flashback feature available on select models; this method doesn’t require a CPU and can be run with just a PSU and USB drive connected to the motherboard.

Software also needs to be updated to mitigate the risk. To protect your system from Spectre and Meltdown vulnerabilities, we recommend applying the relevant Windows update detailed in this Microsoft advisory. For more information on speculative execution microcode vulnerabilities, you can refer to Intel’s security advisory.

The table below lists the ASUS and ROG firmware revisions that include updated Intel microcode. It’s organized by chipset, but you can sort the results by clicking the column title and filter the results using the search bar. Check our official support site if you don’t see your motherboard listed, and see this post for information on fixes for ASUS workstation and server products.