Framework says it’s addressing a BIOS update that bricked some of its older laptops

Framework is working to address a BIOS update that has bricked some of its older laptops, confirming that affected mainboards will be replaced regardless of warranty status, per The Verge.

The issue centers on BIOS version 3.20 for Laptop 13 units running AMD Ryzen 7040-series mainboards. The update was released back in July and has since caused bricking on machines running both Windows and Linux, according to The Verge. Framework confirmed that both in-warranty and out-of-warranty Laptop 13 7040-series mainboards confirmed to be affected will be replaced.

Framework makes modular, repairable laptops designed so that owners can swap out components — including mainboards — themselves. The Laptop 13 with AMD Ryzen 7040-series chips represents one of the company's recent-generation configurations, sitting a step behind its current lineup. The company has built its brand around repairability and user-serviceable hardware, making a bricking incident tied to an official firmware update a notable credibility issue.

The decision to cover out-of-warranty units is a meaningful commitment, as it extends the remediation beyond what Framework would be strictly obligated to provide. The Verge notes that the affected update was released in July, meaning some users may have installed it weeks before the problem became widely reported. The failure mode affects users on both major operating systems, broadening the scope of those potentially impacted.

Framework has not yet disclosed how many units are affected or a specific timeline for replacement mainboard shipments, based on available reporting. Owners of Laptop 13 7040-series machines who believe their device was bricked by the 3.20 update should expect to work through Framework's support process to confirm eligibility for a replacement mainboard.