The SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is a popular external solid state drive known for its fast data transfer speeds, durability, and portability. Like all electronic devices, SSDs utilize firmware – a type of software programmed onto the drive itself. Firmware controls how the device operates and interacts with your computer. From time to time, SanDisk releases firmware updates to improve performance, fix bugs, and enhance compatibility of the Extreme Portable SSD. Updating to the latest firmware ensures you get the most out of the drive and keeps it running optimally.
Firmware updates address issues that may not be fixable through software alone. They fine-tune the low-level operations of the SSD. The improved speeds, responsiveness and reliability provided by firmware updates lead to a better overall user experience. Given the benefits, updating your SanDisk Extreme’s firmware is recommended to get optimal and consistent performance. This guide will walk through the steps to check your drive’s current firmware and update it to the latest available version.
Check Current Firmware Version
Before updating the firmware on your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD, it’s important to check what firmware version is currently installed. Here’s how to check the firmware version on Windows and Mac:
Windows
On Windows, you can check the firmware version by following these steps:
- Connect your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD to your computer via the USB cable.
- Open File Explorer and locate the drive.
- Right click on the drive and select Properties.
- In the Properties window, go to the Hardware tab.
- Look for the Firmware version under Device Information.
This will display the current firmware installed on your drive.
Mac
On Mac, you can check the firmware version by:
- Connecting the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD to your Mac.
- Opening Finder and locating the drive.
- Right clicking on the drive and selecting Get Info.
- Looking at the General information for Firmware Version.
This will show you the firmware version installed on the drive.
Download Latest Firmware
To download the latest firmware for your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD, navigate to the firmware downloads page on the SanDisk website:
https://support-en.wd.com/app/firmwareupdate
On this page, select your specific SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD model and capacity from the dropdown menus. This will ensure you download the correct firmware file for your drive.
The latest firmware versions add performance improvements, bug fixes, and new features to your SSD. It’s recommended to always keep your drive updated with the newest firmware.
Firmware files come in .zip format. Be sure to unzip the folder after downloading it to access the actual firmware file.
Backup Data
It is highly recommended to back up your data before updating your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD firmware. Performing a firmware update carries a small risk of data loss or corruption if something goes wrong during the update process. Backing up your data ahead of time ensures you have a separate copy that can be restored if needed.
According to recommendations on the r/buildapc subreddit, “You should always have backups of a drive if you care about the data on it before doing a firmware update.” Similarly, users on the Tom’s Hardware forums strongly advise backing up SSD data prior to any firmware updates, as a precaution.
While the likelihood of data loss from a firmware update may be low, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Take the time to fully back up your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD before updating the firmware. This will allow you to restore your data if anything goes wrong during the process.
Update Instructions for Windows
Follow these steps to update the firmware on your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD on Windows 10 or Windows 11:
- Connect the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD to your computer using the USB cable.
- Download the latest firmware update file for your drive model from the SanDisk support page. The firmware file will be a ZIP file.
- Extract the ZIP file contents into a folder on your computer.
- Double click the firmware update file (it will have an EXE extension) to launch the update.
- A dialog box will appear – click OK to begin the firmware update process.
- Wait for the firmware update to complete. The LED light on the drive will blink during the update. Do not disconnect the drive during this process.
- Once done, you will see a message that the firmware update completed successfully. Click OK and exit the update program.
- Eject and disconnect your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD. The firmware update is now complete and your drive is ready to use.
Be sure to backup your data on the drive before beginning the firmware update. The process should only take a few minutes to complete. Your SanDisk drive will be ready to use once updated with the latest firmware for performance improvements and new features.
Update Instructions for Mac
Here are the step-by-step instructions for updating the firmware on a SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD on Mac:
1. Connect your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD to your Mac using the USB cable that came with it.
2. Visit the SanDisk website and locate the latest firmware for your specific SSD model.
3. Click the ‘Downloads’ tab and download the firmware file (it will be a .BIN file).
4. Once downloaded, double click the .BIN file to launch the SanDisk Firmware Updater application.
5. In the SanDisk Firmware Updater, click the ‘Select Device’ button and choose your connected SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD.
6. Click ‘Update’ to start the firmware update process. Follow any on-screen prompts.
7. Wait for the update to complete. This can take several minutes.
8. Once finished, you will see a ‘Firmware Update Complete’ message. Your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD firmware is now updated.
9. Safely eject the SSD before disconnecting it from your Mac.
Now you have the latest firmware installed to get the best performance and newest features from your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD.
Troubleshooting Firmware Update Issues
Updating the firmware on a SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD does not always go smoothly. Here are some solutions for common issues that may arise during the firmware update process:
If the firmware update fails to complete, first try updating again using the official SanDisk firmware update tool. Make sure the drive is connected directly to your computer and not through a USB hub. Also check that you have admin access and any security software is disabled during the update.
In some cases, the drive may become unresponsive or not be detected after a failed firmware update. If this occurs, you can attempt to recover it using the SanDisk RescuePRO Deluxe data recovery software. This may retrieve your data so you can reformat the drive and try the firmware update again.
If the above solutions do not resolve firmware update problems, you may need to contact SanDisk technical support for further troubleshooting. Make sure to have your drive’s serial number and purchase details ready when you reach out.
With some persistence, you should be able to successfully update your SanDisk Extreme’s firmware even if you initially encounter issues. Pay close attention to any error messages and try the update using different cables, ports, and computers if necessary.
Improved Performance
Updating the firmware on your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD can provide noticeable improvements in performance and speed. According to several technology forums and communities, SSD firmware updates often include optimizations that allow the drive to operate faster and more efficiently.
For example, a firmware update may improve the SSD’s compatibility with the host system, allowing it to take advantage of speed boosting features like TRIM on Windows or garbage collection on Mac OS. The update could also include improved algorithms and protocols that reduce latency and increase throughput.
Users on Reddit and Linus Tech Tips have reported “snappier” performance and faster transfer speeds after updating to the latest firmware. The improvements can sometimes be substantial, with benchmarks showing anywhere from 10-20% faster reads and writes.1
Overall, updating to the newest firmware version for your SanDisk Extreme SSD can unlock performance gains through optimized hardware communication and advanced internal management. It’s a quick and simple process that’s highly recommended to get the most out of your SSD.
Updated Features
The latest firmware update for the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD introduces several new features and enhancements:
Performance Boost – The firmware update improves the read and write speeds of the SSD, providing faster transfer rates when moving files on and off the drive. One benchmark test showed read speeds increased by over 10% with the new firmware installed (source).
Compatibility – The firmware expands compatibility with new operating systems and devices. For example, the update enables the SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD to work with PlayStation 5 and other next-gen gaming consoles.
Stability Improvements – The firmware resolves some known stability issues and bugs reported by users. It enhances overall reliability and reduces instances of the drive disconnecting or unmounting unexpectedly.
Optimization – Under-the-hood optimizations are included for efficiency. For instance, the firmware tweak flash memory management for better wear leveling and extended drive lifespan.
The latest firmware update brings meaningful improvements and is recommended for all SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD owners. Upgrading provides a smoother, more reliable experience with faster transfer speeds.
Conclusion
Updating the firmware on your SanDisk Extreme Portable SSD is an important way to keep your device performing optimally and take advantage of the latest features. The process is relatively quick and simple, requiring just a few steps to backup your data, download the firmware update file, and install it on your device. With each update, you gain the benefits of bug fixes, improved compatibility, and new capabilities that enhance the utility of your SSD.
Neglecting to keep your SanDisk firmware current can lead to a higher chance of performance issues or even data loss over time, as the firmware controls essential functions like caching, wear leveling, and temperature regulation. Given the important role firmware plays in data integrity and hardware longevity, it is advisable to check for and install updates periodically according to SanDisk’s recommendations. Taking a few minutes to update can save you headaches in the long run.