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Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →To update a Samsung 980 PRO, first confirm the drive model and installed firmware, then use Samsung Magician on a supported Windows setup if it detects and offers an update. Samsung’s consumer-storage listing identifies the 980 PRO firmware image as 5B2QGXA7 (27 MB). If Magician cannot update the drive, Samsung documents a bootable-ISO alternative. Back up first and do not interrupt power during the update. Samsung does not publish a 980 PRO-specific change summary or release date on the firmware listing, so an update should not be treated as a guaranteed performance boost.
Check that you have a 980 PRO and record its firmware
Before choosing an update, open Samsung Magician and note the SSD’s model and current firmware version. Then compare the model against Samsung’s official consumer-storage firmware listing and product information. Model codes vary by capacity: Samsung identifies the 250 GB 980 PRO as MZ-V8P250B, in the MZ-V8P250 family. Do not select firmware for the separate Samsung 980; similar names do not mean the drives share a firmware family.
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The listing shows the 980 PRO Series image as 5B2QGXA7, with a download size of 27 MB. It does not state a release date or describe the changes in that release. Check the official listing when you are ready to update, since firmware availability can change.
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If the SSD is in an enclosure
Interpret Magician’s status cautiously if the SSD is connected through an external enclosure. Samsung’s Magician 9.0.0 installation guide warns that an SSD in an enclosure may appear to have the latest firmware even when it is not actually up to date. If the result is unclear, verify the drive using a supported direct connection before relying on that status.
#1 Best Overall
- MEET THE NEXT GEN: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen4 SSD helps you reach near max performance with lightning-fast speeds; Whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a tech guru, you’ll get power efficiency built for the final boss
- REACH THE NEXT LEVEL: Gen4 steps up with faster transfer speeds and high-performance bandwidth; With a more than 55% improvement in random performance compared to 980 PRO, it’s here for heavy computing and faster loading
- THE FASTEST SSD FROM THE WORLD'S FLASH MEMORY BRAND: The speed you need for any occasion; With read and write speeds up to 7450/6900 MB/s you’ll reach near max performance of PCIe 4.0 powering through for any use
- PLAY WITHOUT LIMITS: Give yourself some space with storage capacities from 1TB to 4TB; Sync all your saves and reign supreme in gaming, video editing, data analysis and more
- IT’S A POWER MOVE: Save the power for your performance; Get power efficiency all while experiencing up to 50% improved performance per watt over the 980 PRO; It makes every move more effective with less consumption
Choose the update route that fits your setup
| Route | Use it when | What to plan for |
|---|---|---|
| Samsung Magician | Magician detects the 980 PRO and offers a firmware update on a supported computer. | Follow the in-app prompts. Keep the computer powered on; a restart may be required. |
| Samsung bootable ISO | Magician is unavailable, the operating system is unsupported, the SSD is not detected, or an update cannot run within the OS. | Create bootable removable media and restart the computer. Writing the ISO can erase the target USB drive. |
Samsung Canada says Magician does not support internal SSD firmware updates on macOS or Android, and that Linux is not currently supported. This platform guidance is specific to Samsung SSDs sold in Canada; check Samsung support for your region and setup.
Update through Samsung Magician
- Back up important files. Firmware operations carry risk, so save a current copy of important data before proceeding.
- Open Samsung Magician and select Update. Confirm that the detected drive is the 980 PRO and review the displayed firmware version and update offer.
- Select the offered update and follow the on-screen instructions. Samsung’s instructions describe proceeding from the Update screen when a new-version notice appears.
- Keep the computer on and wait for completion. Samsung warns: “Do not turn off your computer during the firmware update process.” Do not remove power or disconnect the SSD.
- Allow the requested restart or shutdown. The procedure may require a reboot. Samsung’s Magician 9.0.0 guide documents an automatic PC shutdown after an update, preceded by a 20-second countdown; that is version-specific behavior, not a guarantee for every Magician release.
- After the system returns, check the firmware version in Magician. Confirm that the drive is detected and that the displayed version reflects the update.
Use the bootable ISO if Magician cannot update the drive
Samsung’s bootable-ISO instructions provide an alternative when Magician cannot be used or cannot complete the update from within the operating system. Download the 980 PRO image from Samsung’s official firmware page; verify the model family and image before creating media.
Rank #2
- HUGE SPEED BOOST: Get random read/write speeds that are 40%/55% faster than 980 PRO; Experience up to 1400K/1550K IOPS, while sequential read/write speeds up to 7,450/6,900 MB/s reach near the max performance of PCIe 4.0*
- BREAKTHROUGH POWER EFFICIENCY: Use less power and get more performance; Enjoy up to 50% improved performance per watt over 980 PRO, plus optimal power efficiency with max PCIe 4.0 performance**
- SMART THERMAL CONTROL: Samsung's own nickel-coated controller delivers effective thermal control; With its slim size, 990 PRO is a perfect fit for desktops and laptops that meet the PCI-SIG D8 standard***
- THE CHAMPION MAKER: Up to 65% improvement in random performance enables faster loads for an ultimate gaming experience on PS5 and DirectStorage PC games****
- SAMSUNG MAGICIAN SOFTWARE: Get the most out of your SSD with Samsung Magician's advanced yet intuitive optimization tools; Monitor drive health, protect valuable data, and receive important updates for your 990 PRO
- Back up the SSD and prepare a USB drive. Creating bootable media may erase files on the USB, so copy anything you need from it first.
- Write the ISO to the USB drive with a utility that can create bootable media from an ISO. Check the destination carefully: choosing the wrong drive can erase its contents. Samsung’s cited instructions name third-party writing utilities as examples but do not make a particular one necessary.
- Restart and boot from the USB media. Use the computer’s boot selection process to start the firmware utility rather than the installed operating system.
- Follow the Samsung utility’s prompts for the 980 PRO. Keep the SSD connected and the computer powered throughout the operation. Do not interrupt the process.
- Restart when the utility completes, then verify the firmware in Magician if available.
What the 3B2QGXA7 concern means
Puget Systems reported in 2023 that Samsung had confirmed awareness of an issue affecting 980 PRO drives with firmware 3B2QGXA7 and recommended 5B2QGXA7 as a preventive update. Puget also cautioned that updating would not repair a drive that had already failed into a read-only state. This is historical reporting, not a current Samsung advisory or a promise that firmware can recover a failed SSD. Read-only behavior, disappearance from the system, or critical drive-health warnings call for diagnosis and data-preservation steps rather than assuming a firmware update will restore the drive. Puget Systems’ 2023 report
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Will updating improve 980 PRO performance?
Samsung’s current 980 PRO firmware listing provides the image name and size but no model-specific changelog, release date, or published performance result. Updating may be appropriate for firmware maintenance, including the historical prevention issue Puget described, but the available information does not establish a speed increase or quantify one. Treat a successful update as a firmware change, not a benchmark guarantee.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- BREAKTHROUGH PCIe 5.0 PERFORMANCE: Supercharge your workflow and gaming with PCIe 5.0, boasting up to 14,700/13,400 MB/s* sequential read/write speeds. Tackle massive files and power up your gaming with Gen5—twice as fast as the 990 PRO SSD.
- EVERY TASK, TURBOCHARGED: Speed past productivity limits. With random read/write speeds up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, enjoy fast game loads, seamless AI apps, and efficient multitasking. Virtually no lag, no limits—just nonstop performance.
- THINK FAST, CREATE FASTER: With random read/write speeds of up to 1,850K/2,600K IOPS*, the 9100 PRO SSD fuels seamless AI content creation, swift loads, and smooth gameplay. Work, play, and create at lightning speed.
- SPEED, WHENEVER YOU NEED: From laptops to desktop PCs, experience blazing PCIe 5.0 speeds and up to 8TB of storage. Perfect for video editing, gaming, and creative tasks, with the compatibility to match your device.
- STAY COOL, RUN FAST: Push limits, not temperatures. A 5nm controller boosts power efficiency up to 49% over the 990 PRO SSD*, while advanced thermal control keeps performance smooth and reliable.
Rank #4
- Designed for hardcore gamers and tech-savvy users
- Offers high-performance bandwidth and throughput for heavy-duty applications in gaming, graphics, data analytics, and more
- NVMe SSD powered by V-NAND technology
- Designed with hardcore gamers and tech-savvy users in mind
Rank #3
- Next-level SSD performance: Unleash the power of the Samsung 980 PRO PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD for next-level computing. 980 PRO delivers 2x the data transfer rate of PCIe 3.0, while maintaining compatibility with PCIe 3.0.
- Maximum Speed: Get read speeds up to 7,000 MB s with 980 PRO and push the limits of what SSDs can do. Powered by a new Elpsis controller designed to harmonize the flash memory components and the interface for superior speed – with a PCIe 4.0 interface that’s 2x faster than PCIe 3.0 SSDs and 12x faster than Samsung SATA SSDs – every component of this NVMe SSD is manufactured by Samsung for performance that lasts.
- A winning combination: Designed for hardcore gamers and tech-savvy users, the 980 PRO offers high-performance bandwidth and throughput for heavy-duty applications in gaming, graphics, data analytics, and more. It's fast at loading games, so you can play more and wait less.
- Efficient M.2 SSD: The 980 PRO comes in a compact M.2 2280 form factor, which can be easily plugged into desktops and laptops. Due to its size and thus optimized power efficiency, it’s ideal for building high-performance computing systems.
- Reliable thermal control: High-performance SSDs usually require high-performance thermal control. To ensure stable performance, the 980 PRO uses nickel coating to help manage the controller's heat level and a heat spreader label to deliver effective thermal control of the NAND chip.
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