BIOS does not always detect SSD

[-TheWeeknd-]

I've recently built my first PC. The specs are as follows:
MOBO: Asus Prime Z490-P ATX
CPU: Intel Core i7-10700K
GPU: Gigabyte GeForce GTX 1660 Super 6GB
PSU: TX750M — 750 Watt 80 Plus® Gold
RAM: HyperX Fury DDR4 3600MHz CL17 (2x8GB)
SSD: Samsung 860 EVO 1TB


I've been having a weird issue with booting. My pc will often boot into BIOS without seeing my SSD. I turn the pc off, uplug the power cable and plug it back in. Sometimes it will boot to the SSD, and sometimes it will still throw me into the BIOS forcing me to repeat the process.
What I've tried so far:
Resetting CMOS, changing the SATA cable, trying all slots in the SATA power cable (all of them work, I have 5 fans connected to a controller that powers from SATA and I tried every slot).

I've been speculating what the issue might be but I don't have the knowledge to conclude what the issue is. Could anyone please help me?

Everything else works, all the fans and the RGB. I can even play games such as Red Dead Redemption 2 on ultra settings with no issues.

[Skiiwee29]

When I've had this issue in the past, it was due to faulty firmware on the drive. Try downloading Samsung Magician and do a drive health check and make sure the firmware is up to date on the drive as well. 

[-TheWeeknd-]

18 minutes ago, Skiiwee29 said:

When I've had this issue in the past, it was due to faulty firmware on the drive. Try downloading Samsung Magician and do a drive health check and make sure the firmware is up to date on the drive as well. 

Hey, thank you for the really quick reply. I've installed the software and ran a performance benchmark and it looks good. I've attached two relevant screenshots of the update page and information page. It appears the drive's health is good and the latest version of firmware is installed.

[Skiiwee29]

Next step then would be to do a BIOS update on your Motherboard. Could be a bug in the BIOS that is fixed in latest revisions. 

[-TheWeeknd-]

12 minutes ago, Skiiwee29 said:

Next step then would be to do a BIOS update on your Motherboard. Could be a bug in the BIOS that is fixed in latest revisions. 

I've checked and it appears my BIOS version is 1208. It's not the latest version according to the motherboard's website here: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/PRIME-Z490-P/HelpDesk_BIOS/My question is should I download the latest stable version (1410) or go for the latest beta version (1602)?

Also, sorry but I'm unfamiliar with BIOS updating. I've read about it on a website and it said to transfer the update file to a USB stick and use the ASUS EZ Flash 3 utility to update. That's it?

[Skiiwee29]

1 minute ago, Trottimus2 said:

I've checked and it appears my BIOS version is 1208. It's not the latest version according to the motherboard's website here: https://www.asus.com/us/Motherboards/PRIME-Z490-P/HelpDesk_BIOS/My question is should I download the latest stable version (1410) or go for the latest beta version (1602)?

Also, sorry but I'm unfamiliar with BIOS updating. I've read about it on a website and it said to transfer the update file to a USB stick and use the ASUS EZ Flash 3 utility to update. That's it?

I never would advise beta BIOS's. Always do Stable. Yep, its that easy. Then boot into your BIOS, and go to tools and select EZ Flash and find the file on the drive and let er rip. 

[Heliian]

Recheck and secure the connections for the drive.  Had a loose connector once that caused same intermittent problem. 

[-TheWeeknd-]

6 hours ago, Skiiwee29 said:

I never would advise beta BIOS's. Always do Stable. Yep, its that easy. Then boot into your BIOS, and go to tools and select EZ Flash and find the file on the drive and let er rip. 

Thank you, I will try updating the BIOS tomorrow and come back with the results.

6 hours ago, Heliian said:

Recheck and secure the connections for the drive.  Had a loose connector once that caused same intermittent problem. 

I've tried all SATA power cable slots and the issue persisted (all of them checked to be working). The SSD never disconnects or loses power if the windows is already up and running, only when booting. I've also tried changing the SATA cable.
I'll try Skiiwee29's suggestion tomorrow and see if it fixes it. Thank you for the suggestion.

[Heliian]

2 hours ago, Trottimus2 said:

Thank you, I will try updating the BIOS tomorrow and come back with the results.

I've tried all SATA power cable slots and the issue persisted (all of them checked to be working). The SSD never disconnects or loses power if the windows is already up and running, only when booting. I've also tried changing the SATA cable.
I'll try Skiiwee29's suggestion tomorrow and see if it fixes it. Thank you for the suggestion.

It was the plug on the ssd that was loose, had to secure it with hockey tape.  

[-TheWeeknd-]

20 hours ago, Skiiwee29 said:

I never would advise beta BIOS's. Always do Stable. Yep, its that easy. Then boot into your BIOS, and go to tools and select EZ Flash and find the file on the drive and let er rip. 

I've updated the BIOS to the latest stable version (1410). The PC boot to windows right away. I'm going to use it normally from now on, turning it off before I'm going to bed and see if the issue turns up again. If it does not then I really appreaciate your help, thank you very much!
 If it does however, is it okay to quote you in this topic again?

[Skiiwee29]

2 minutes ago, Trottimus2 said:

I've updated the BIOS to the latest stable version (1410). The PC boot to windows right away. I'm going to use it normally from now on, turning it off before I'm going to bed and see if the issue turns up again. If it does not then I really appreaciate your help, thank you very much!
 If it does however, is it okay to quote you in this topic again?

Yep, feel free if it does not resolve your troubles. 

[-TheWeeknd-]

On 2/7/2021 at 3:20 PM, Skiiwee29 said:

Yep, feel free if it does not resolve your troubles. 

Everything was working fine for 3 days and then it's popped the issue again..

[Skiiwee29]

37 minutes ago, -TheWeeknd- said:

Everything was working fine for 3 days and then it's popped the issue again..

is this the only SATA device you have plugged in? Starting to think the drive may be faulty now. 

[-TheWeeknd-]

14 hours ago, Skiiwee29 said:

is this the only SATA device you have plugged in? Starting to think the drive may be faulty now. 

I have a PRIZMA fan controller plugged into another SATA slot (the power cable), the controller connects 5 fans. However all of them work regardless of boot state, whether it boots to windows or not all fans operate fine. No other storage devices. I find it weird that disconnecting the power cable and reconnecting it solves the issue.

[Skiiwee29]

11 hours ago, -TheWeeknd- said:

I have a PRIZMA fan controller plugged into another SATA slot (the power cable), the controller connects 5 fans. However all of them work regardless of boot state, whether it boots to windows or not all fans operate fine. No other storage devices. I find it weird that disconnecting the power cable and reconnecting it solves the issue.

I would think its likely an issue then with the drive more than anything. Time to RMA it I feel or get a new one if RMA is not an option.