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

  1. Last updated
    Apr 29, 2025
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Votes:
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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)

 

 

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