Skip to main content
NetApp Knowledge Base

BIOS update failure during ONTAP upgrade with error "ME region - write access enabling failed!"

  1. Last updated
    Apr 29, 2025
  2. Save as PDF
Views:
1,468
Visibility:
Public
Votes:
1
Category:
fas-systems
Specialty:
hw
Last Updated:
4/29/2025, 2:38:01 PM

Applies to

  • ONTAP 9
  • AFF-A300
  • FAS8200
  • FAS8300
  • FAS8080

Issue

  • During ONTAP upgrade, BIOS fails to update with error:
!!!DO NOT POWER OFF SYSTEM!!!
Firmware is being updated.
 
New BIOS version: 9.8
New LOADER version: 5.7
Enabling write access to the flash ME region...
ME region - write access enabling failed!
Failed to unlock flash Error
Automatic firmware update skipped (update_flash command failed).
 
Warning: The boot media contains a newer firmware image (9.8).
Please run 'update_flash' at the Loader prompt to update your
system firmware (9.6).
 
  • Running update_flash also fails with similar error:
LOADER-A> update_flash
 
New BIOS version: 9.8
New LOADER version: 5.7
Enabling write access to the flash ME region...
ME region - write access enabling failed!
Failed to unlock flash Error
*** command status = Error(-1)

 

 

Sign in to view the entire content of this KB article.

New to NetApp?

Learn more about our award-winning Support

NetApp provides no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy or reliability or serviceability of any information or recommendations provided in this publication or with respect to any results that may be obtained by the use of the information or observance of any recommendations provided herein. The information in this document is distributed AS IS and the use of this information or the implementation of any recommendations or techniques herein is a customer's responsibility and depends on the customer's ability to evaluate and integrate them into the customer's operational environment. This document and the information contained herein may be used solely in connection with the NetApp products discussed in this document.