Reports have indicated that recent Windows 11 security updates (KB5063878 and KB5062660) were causing failures in some SSDs using Phison.
While many YouTube and TikTok videos blame Microsoft for the problems, Phison has identified ' early firmware and BIOS versions ' as the real cause.
See also: Windows 11 gets the new Black Screen of Death
“Many of the reports come from media tests conducted on hardware running early firmware and BIOS,” Michael Wu, General Manager and President of Phison US, told The Verge in a statement. “These versions are performance previews and are not the same as those provided to end users through official distribution channels.”
“We have noticed that outdated firmware is still being used on some SSDs and we encourage any testers to use updated channel firmware available through update tools provided by the manufacturer.“
See also: NCSC: Urges businesses to upgrade to Windows 11
YouTuber JayzTwoCents claimed last week that the 'Windows update and SSD problem is MUCH worse than we thought!' He showed a Crucial T500 drive (with a Phison E25 controller) failing after the latest Windows 11 security updates, requiring a power cycle to get it working again. It's unclear whether he was using pre-release firmware or an early motherboard BIOS.
Phison was able to replicate the issues reported by the PCDIY! community and found that they were due to engineering preview firmware. "Phison examined the exact SSDs used in the PCDIY! tests and found that the PCDIY! was using engineering preview firmware, which is not the final firmware used in the Corsair Force Series MP600 2TB and other drives with the E16 controller that are available for sale to consumers in the market," Wu explains. Phison also performed the same tests and found no crashes or failures.
See also: Windows 11 uses JScript9Legacy for improved security
Microsoft said late last month that it had "found no connection" between its security updates and the disk failures reported on social media and elsewhere. However, many people, including prominent YouTubers, continued to blame Microsoft for the SSD problems, which is not surprising given the company's history with chaotic Windows 11 updates.
