Lately Gigabyte has released a number of firmware updates for their recent Intel and AMD motherboards, these aren't BIOS updates, but firmware updates for the RGB controller, which is handled by an IT5701, IT5702 or IT5711 controller on the board.
On the r/gigabyte, r/gigabytegaming and AORUS Discord servers, many users have been reporting that these updates are bricking the ITE controller on their motherboard and losing RGB functionality.
If it was just the loss RGB, this wouldn't be as big a problem, however if the firmware update does brick your ITE controller, you also lose Q-Flash Plus (BIOS Flashback), this is because on Gigabyte boards, the same controller responsible for controlling the onboard RGB lighting is also responsible for Q-Flash Plus.
Given Q-Flash Plus is a major selling point and an absolute life-saver if you ever have a bad BIOS flash, or if you need to update the BIOS without access to a CPU or RAM, we would recommend all Gigabyte owners avoid installing these IT5701, IT5702 or IT5711 RGB controller firmware updates until Gigabyte have improved the flashing process.
Gigabyte claim they have removed these updates from their website, however they are still available from the AORUS website and users are prompted to install these updates using the Gigabyte Control Center.
Media Reporting:
Tom's Hardware: Gigabyte's latest RGB firmware upgrade is bricking some motherboards, including Z790 series — dynamic lighting and RGB failures, rogue CPU fan usages, and more reported
BenchLife: GIGABYTE: The firmware update tool caused a problem, temporarily removed from the shelves, and will be opened again after the problem is confirmed
Also mods on r/Intel have same PSA:
On the r/gigabyte, r/gigabytegaming and AORUS Discord servers, many users have been reporting that these updates are bricking the ITE controller on their motherboard and losing RGB functionality.
If it was just the loss RGB, this wouldn't be as big a problem, however if the firmware update does brick your ITE controller, you also lose Q-Flash Plus (BIOS Flashback), this is because on Gigabyte boards, the same controller responsible for controlling the onboard RGB lighting is also responsible for Q-Flash Plus.
Given Q-Flash Plus is a major selling point and an absolute life-saver if you ever have a bad BIOS flash, or if you need to update the BIOS without access to a CPU or RAM, we would recommend all Gigabyte owners avoid installing these IT5701, IT5702 or IT5711 RGB controller firmware updates until Gigabyte have improved the flashing process.
Gigabyte claim they have removed these updates from their website, however they are still available from the AORUS website and users are prompted to install these updates using the Gigabyte Control Center.
Media Reporting:
Tom's Hardware: Gigabyte's latest RGB firmware upgrade is bricking some motherboards, including Z790 series — dynamic lighting and RGB failures, rogue CPU fan usages, and more reported
BenchLife: GIGABYTE: The firmware update tool caused a problem, temporarily removed from the shelves, and will be opened again after the problem is confirmed
Also mods on r/Intel have same PSA:
