BIOS & Firmware Update on Framework 13 (AMD Ryzen AI 300) under Arch Linux

The Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series) is a prime example of hardware designed with Linux in mind. Instead of needing a Windows environment or a separate bootable USB stick, Framework leverages the Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS). This guide outlines the exact, reproducible workflow to keep your system up to date using fwupd on Arch Linux.

Changelog

Date	Change
2026-01-14	Initial Version: Full protocol for Framework 13 (AMD Ryzen AI 300) BIOS updates.

1. Prerequisites

Before starting the process, ensure your environment meets these requirements:

Hardware: Framework Laptop 13 (AMD Ryzen AI 300 Series, e.g., AI 9 HX 370).
Power: Power adapter must be connected and charging.
Partitioning: EFI System Partition (ESP) must be mounted (usually at /boot or /efi).

⚠️ MANDATORY POWER CONNECTION
The BIOS flash will refuse to start if the laptop is running on battery. Ensure your power cable is securely plugged in before proceeding.

2. Understanding fwupd & LVFS

Framework officially supports firmware updates via:

fwupd: The Firmware Update Daemon that manages the installation.
LVFS: The online repository where vendors upload their firmware.

The process uses UEFI Capsules. fwupd stages the update on your EFI partition, and the actual “flashing” happens during the next reboot within the UEFI environment, not while Linux is running.

3. Installation

Install the necessary tools on Arch Linux using pacman:

sudo pacman -S fwupd fwupd-efi

The fwupd.service is a static systemd service. It doesn’t need to be “enabled”; it starts automatically when called. You can verify its status:

systemctl status fwupd.service

4. Refreshing Firmware Metadata

First, update the local database of available firmware from LVFS:

sudo fwupdmgr refresh

If prompted to enable the LVFS remote, confirm with Y.

5. Checking for Updates

List all available updates for your hardware:

sudo fwupdmgr get-updates

You will likely see several entries, such as:

System Firmware (The BIOS/UEFI)
Fingerprint Sensor Firmware
UEFI dbx (Secure Boot revocation list)

6. Performing the Update

ℹ️ SAFETY FIRST
During the update: Do not power off the machine. Do not close the lid. Be patient. The screen may stay black for several minutes.

Start the update process:

sudo fwupdmgr update

What to expect:

Fingerprint Sensor: This usually updates instantly without a reboot.
System Firmware (BIOS): This is the core update. fwupd will schedule it for the next boot.
UEFI dbx: Updates the Secure Boot blacklist. (Note: If you use a custom Secure Boot setup with your own keys, review this step carefully before confirming.)

7. The Reboot & Flash Process

After the command finishes, fwupd will prompt you to restart:

A reboot is required to complete the update.

What happens during reboot:

The system enters a special firmware update mode.
The screen might remain black, and fans might spin up loudly.
Do not interrupt this. There might not be a visible progress bar depending on the specific firmware version.

The system will automatically reboot into Arch Linux once the flash is complete.

8. Verifying Success

Once back in your terminal, verify that all devices are on the latest version:

fwupdmgr get-devices

Alternatively, check the version directly in the BIOS by pressing F2 during startup. You should see the updated version number (e.g., 0.0.3.5).

Summary

Updating firmware on a Framework laptop is a seamless experience that respects the user’s choice of OS:

✅ Full BIOS update support under Linux ✅ No USB-Stick or Windows required ✅ Safe, transactional updates via UEFI Capsules ✅ Officially supported by Framework

🔧OFFICIAL FRAMEWORK BIOS RELEASES 📚ARCH WIKI: FWUPD 🌐FWUPD PROJECT HOME