"SSD Issues in Windows 11 Explained by Reviewers as 'Early Firmware Versions'"

In recent weeks, media reports have emerged stating that updates to Windows 11 (KB5063878 and KB5062660) are causing failures in some SSDs with Phison controllers. While many videos on YouTube and TikTok have blamed Microsoft for these issues, Phison claims that the cause is "early versions of firmware and BIOS." Michael Wu, CEO of Phison USA, told The Verge: "Many reports stem from media testing on hardware with early firmware and BIOS versions. These versions are pre-release and do not match those provided to end users through official channels. We found that older firmware is still being used on some SSDs and recommend updating the firmware using manufacturer utilities."

Last week, YouTuber JayzTwoCents stated that "issues with Windows updates and SSDs have significantly worsened." He demonstrated how the Crucial T500 drive with a Phison E25 controller began to fail after the latest security updates for Windows 11 and required a reboot to restore functionality. It is unclear whether he was using an older version of the SSD firmware or an early version of the motherboard BIOS.

Phison confirmed that they were able to reproduce the issues reported by the PCDIY! community and determined that they were related to engineering pre-release firmware versions. "We checked the SSDs used in the PCDIY! tests and found that an engineering pre-release firmware version, which is not final, was applied. It was used in Corsair Force Series MP600 2TB drives and other models with the E16 controller available on the market," Wu explained.

The company also conducted tests on consumer SSDs and found no failures or malfunctions. Microsoft stated at the end of last month that it found no link between security updates and the drive failures reported by users on social media. However, many bloggers and reviewers continue to blame Microsoft for the causes of SSD issues, which is not surprising given the history of problematic Windows updates.