Re: NUC10i7FNH power button LED very dim after BIOS update

mg5 · ‎02-25-2022

I have recently updated the BIOS on a NUC10i7FNH from FN0039 to FN0055. After the update, the blue power button LED is very dim. Even at 100% brightness, it is barely visible. (The default brightness is 50%). This was not a problem before the update. The strange thing is that if I change the power button LED color to amber, the brightness of the LED is normal. The HDD LED is not affected.

I have tried updating the BIOS again and choosing optimal defaults, but it does not solve the issue. Has anyone else experienced this problem or does anyone have a suggestion for a fix?

Thanks.

LeonWaksman · ‎02-25-2022

BIOS update from version 0039 to 0055 in one step was a huge jump. If this update was performed using F7 method or express method, using FNCML.0055.EBU.exe file, I suggest that you should update BIOS again, using BIOS Recovery with the Security Jumper Removed:

1. Prepare USB stick fully formatted to FAT32 . Format your USB with Quick Format option unchecked. Do not format your USB in MAC (OS) or Linux machine. Use Windows. Download the FNCML357.0055.RECOVERY.zip and extract the FNCML357.cap file. Copy the FNCML357.cap file to the root of this USB.
2. Disconnect the power adapter and remove the bottom panel from your NUC.
3. Remove the Yellow Bios Security Jumper. (page 33 in Technical Product Specification)
5. Insert the USB with the FNCML357.cap file into rear USB slot.
6. Reconnect the power adapter and power ON the NUC. Wait 30 sec - 2min. The Recovery process will start automatically and will end after 2 -5 minutes.
7. When bios recovery is completed, press and hold the Power Button to switch the power OFF, remove the USB stick with the BIOS file, remove the power adapter and replace the Security Jumper (pins 1-2) . Reinstall the bottom panel.
8. Power your NUC ON.
9. Enter Bios setting by pressing F2 during boot process.
10. Press F9(followed by Enter), to set Bios to default settings. Press F10 (followed by Enter), to save the settings and exit to O.S. Let the NUC fully reboot.

Leon

mg5 · ‎02-25-2022

Thank you for taking the time to respond and for the detailed instructions. The recovery procedure went as you described and without errors. Unfortunately the issue with the dim power LED persists.

The NUC has been running smoothly for a couple of years as a server, and I have had no reason to update it. Now I want to repurpose it as a workstation and before installing Windows on it, I wanted to update the BIOS. It seems it is only possible to download the latest BIOS version from Intel’s website, so I had no other choice. The release notes mention that it is not possible to downgrade to an older BIOS version, so that is not even an alternative. I know it is just a minor annoyance, but I have grown used to the blue LED and amber to me signals a warning or an error.

Anyway, thank you for trying to help.

n_scott_pearson · ‎02-25-2022

This is going to seem like a lot of work, but it is something to try: First, reinstall the BIOS again using the jumper-based BIOS Recovery process. Once this is complete, reinstall the BIOS yet again, but this time using the F7 method.

To explain, I have seen some cases where the Embedded Controller (which owns LED management, sensor monitoring, fan speed control, etc.) does not always get its firmware and programming updated across every BIOS update operation. By performing the set (you've already done step one of three), this will hopefully ensure that the EC firmware get rewritten and the EC gets reprogrammed once this firmware is operational.

Hope this helps (and isn't a boondoggle),

...S

mg5 · ‎02-26-2022

It is no trouble at all. I appreciate any help I can get. Sadly installing the BIOS again did not change anything.

As far as I can see, the EC firmware is not rewritten when running the update. When doing a recovery by removing the jumper, the main firmware and ME are updated. When doing a normal F7 update only the main firmware is updated.

As you said, I suspect it is something that is not written or reset properly during the BIOS upgrade, and as Leon suggested it might be because the jump in versions was too big.

Hopefully someone at Intel can solve this.

Thanks.

AlHill · ‎02-26-2022

I have the same NUC and have applied every bios update from 0039 to 0055, in order, as they were released.

The power button LED is as dim as dim can be. Only under low room light can it be seen.

Doc (not an Intel employee or contractor)
[Waiting for Windows 12]

LeonWaksman · ‎02-26-2022

In my NUC brightness of the Power LED was not affected with BIOS updates.

Leon

mg5 · ‎03-02-2022

Thank you all for your help.

As Intel has not responded, I guess I will have to live with an amber power LED. At least it is a small consolation to know, that it is not only my NUC that has this problem.

Thanks

DeividA_Intel · ‎03-04-2022

Hello mg5,

Thank you for posting on the Intel® communities. I understand you are having issues with your Intel® NUC 10 Performance kit - NUC10i7FNH.

In order to better assist you, please provide the following:

1. Run the Intel® System Support Utility (Intel® SSU) to gather more details about the system.

Download the Intel® SSU and save the application on your computer: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/18377/intel-system-support-utility-for-windows.html
Open the application, check the "Everything" checkbox, and click "Scan" to see the system and device information. The Intel® SSU defaults to the "Summary View" on the output screen following the scan. Click the menu where it says "Summary" to change to "Detailed View".
To save your scan, click Next and click Save.

2. Can you take a short video where we can see the issue with the amber power LED?

Best regards,

Deivid A.

Intel Customer Support Technician

mg5 · ‎03-04-2022

Thank you for your reply Deivid,

The issue is with the brightness of the power button LED. When it is set to blue color it is very dim and only visible at low light conditions. When the power button LED is set to amber color, the brightness is normal and visible under normal light conditions.

Below are two photos, taken in a dark room, of the power button LED configured to blue and amber respectively. Both are set to 100% brightness in the BIOS, only the color was changed. As you can see, when set to blue, the LED is very dim compared to when it is set to amber.

The issue appeared after I upgraded the BIOS from FN0039 to FN0055 and even multiple attemts to reinstall the BIOS using both recovery and F7 has not fixed the problem.

There is no operating system installed yet, but I have taken photos of the BIOS system information. Hope that helps.

Thanks.

DeividA_Intel · ‎03-07-2022

Hello mg5,

Thank you for the information provided

I will proceed to check the issue internally and post back soon with more details.

Best regards,

Deivid A.

Intel Customer Support Technician

DeividA_Intel · ‎03-09-2022

Hello mg5,

To continue further, please try to change the LED settings for your NUC. You can find the steps to do it in the following link:

Power Button LED and Ring LED Settings on Intel® NUC Kits:

https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/support/articles/000023554/intel-nuc/intel-nuc-mini-pcs.html

Regards,

Deivid A.

Intel Customer Support Technician

mg5 · ‎03-09-2022

Hello Deivid,

Is there anything in particular you want me to change? I have tried loading optimal values and then only changing the color. There is a significant difference in brightness, with blue being very dim, even with every other setting unchanged.

Below are photos of the LED brightness and the corresponding settings.

DeividA_Intel · ‎03-10-2022

Hello mg5,

Thanks for the additional information. I will check this behavior internally and confirm any additional steps.

Best regards,

Deivid A.

Intel Customer Support Technician

DeividA_Intel · ‎03-16-2022

Hello mg5,

Based on the research performed, I would like you to try a BIOS recovery via security jumper:

BIOS: https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/download/19485/bios-update-fncml357.html
Steps: BIOS Recovery by the Security Jumper

1. Download the RECOVERY.zip file into a USB flash drive.

2. Unzip the file and transfer the cap. File from the recovery folder to a USB flash drive root.

3. Turn off the Intel NUC and unplug the AC power.

4. Open the chassis and remove the BIOS security jumper. See Technical Product Specifications for

Intel® NUC Products for details about the location of the jumper.

5. Plug the USB flash drive into a USB port and connect the AC power.

6. Turn on the Intel NUC. The recovery process will start automatically.

7. Wait 2–5 minutes for the recovery process to complete.

8. The Intel NUC will either turn off automatically when the recovery process is complete, or it will prompt

you to turn it off.

9. Remove the USB device.

10. Unplug the AC power and replace the BIOS security jumper.

11. Close the chassis and reattach the AC power.

12. Restart the Intel NUC.

Best regards,

Deivid A.

Intel Customer Support Technician

mg5 · ‎03-18-2022

Hello Deivid,

I have now done a BIOS recovery via security jumper like you have described. Unfortunately it did not solve the issue. The blue power LED is still very dim.

Thanks.