 |
| The Legion Go. |
Lenovo appears to have quietly removed a BIOS update for the original Legion Go after several users reported that installing it left their handhelds unusable. The first reports started appearing about a month ago, and more Legion Go owners have continued to report similar problems since then. Now, it seems Lenovo has taken the update off its website.
If you head over to Lenovo's support website, the latest BIOS version currently listed is N3CN40WW for the Legion Go 8APU1. This means the newer N3CN42WW update has been removed from the website. Lenovo has not, however, publicly explained why the update was removed or acknowledged the reports of devices being bricked after installing it.
Lenovo is not offering free repairs
While Lenovo has removed the problematic BIOS update, many Legion Go owners are still frustrated, especially those who are now dealing with a device that will no longer boot properly. Some users have also complained that Lenovo is not offering free repairs for affected devices. Instead, owners have reportedly been quoted more than $200 to have their bricked handhelds repaired.
For some users, this is particularly frustrating because the problem appears to have started after installing Lenovo's own BIOS update rather than because of anything they did to their devices. The situation has sparked widespread discussion across gaming communities, with many expressing disappointment in the company's response so far.
User experiences and community response
One Legion Go owner said their Z1 Extreme model was bricked after installing the BIOS update. The device is now out of warranty, and Lenovo reportedly wanted "a lot of money" to repair it. As a result, the owner has left the handheld sitting on their desk while waiting to either replace the motherboard or see if Lenovo provides a solution. Some affected users have managed to recover their Legion Go devices after going through extensive troubleshooting, but this has not worked for everyone.
The Reddit community has been particularly active in documenting the issue, with multiple threads discussing the problem and potential fixes. One user detailed their frustrating experience on r/LegionGo, sharing how the update rendered their device completely unresponsive. The discussion thread highlights the growing frustration among Legion Go owners who feel left in the dark by Lenovo's silent approach to handling the situation.
What this means for Legion Go owners
For now, Lenovo removing N3CN42WW from its website appears to be the company's only visible response. Hopefully, the company will provide an official statement soon and offer free repairs or another solution for users whose Legion Go was affected by the update. In the meantime, Legion Go owners are advised to avoid installing any BIOS updates that may have been previously downloaded and to check the official support page regularly for updates.
The situation serves as a reminder of the risks associated with firmware updates, even when they come directly from the manufacturer. While BIOS updates typically offer performance improvements and bug fixes, they can occasionally cause serious issues that require professional intervention to resolve.
Looking ahead
As the handheld gaming market continues to grow, with devices like the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally gaining popularity, manufacturers must prioritize reliable software updates and responsive customer support. Lenovo's handling of this BIOS update issue could impact consumer confidence in the Legion Go brand and influence purchasing decisions for future handheld devices.
For those currently affected by the bricked BIOS update, the best course of action is to contact Lenovo support directly and reference the specific issue. Some users have reported success by persistently requesting assistance, though results vary widely depending on warranty status and regional support policies.
We'll continue to monitor this situation and provide updates as more information becomes available. In the meantime, Legion Go owners are encouraged to check community forums for potential workarounds and to exercise caution when considering any future BIOS updates from Lenovo.