The Linux firmware update utility fwupd has reached version 2.0.14, marking the thirteenth maintenance release in the 2.0 series. This update brings broader hardware support, important fixes, and several enhancements that improve the reliability of firmware updates on Linux systems.
Key Fixes and Improvements
With this release, fwupd introduces a set of important fixes and refinements, including:
Ensuring Lexar NVMe drives use a proper version number.
Returning a clear error message when using build-cabinet incorrectly.
Removing CapsuleOnDisk HwID match for Dell devices.
Setting the firehose loader filename in a more permissive manner.
Updating mappings for TPM vendor names.
Additionally, fwupd now disables signature time checks during firmware verification, avoids assigning UNKNOWN vendor IDs when a signature lacks a vendor, and prevents ThunderBolt retimer devices from being discovered in single-shot mode. The new version also verifies the checksum of serialized test data for improved reliability.
Expanded Device Support
Fwupd 2.0.14 extends support to more devices, making it even more useful for Linux users who need to keep their hardware up-to-date. New supported devices include:
SteelSeries Arctis Nova 3P gaming headset
ILITEK touch controllers
Framework QMK devices
Egis MoC devices
This ensures that users of newer and diverse hardware can take advantage of the streamlined firmware update process that fwupd offers.
Additional Enhancements
Other notable improvements in fwupd 2.0.14 include:
Ability to ignore network connectivity requirements.
Build support for Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 and 10.
Support for upgrading from a zero “empty” UEFI dbx.
Option to unset HwID plugin context flags.
Allowing plugins to know the firmware version during an update.
UEFI capsule devices can now opt out of Capsule-on-Disk.
Automatic firehose counterpart added to QCDM modem devices.
Enhanced firmware metadata generation in
firmware_packager.
Coming just five weeks after fwupd 2.0.13, this release further strengthens fwupd as the go-to utility for managing firmware updates on Linux. By expanding hardware compatibility and improving the update process, fwupd continues to simplify firmware maintenance for both desktop and enterprise users.
Users can check out the complete release notes and download the source tarball from the project’s GitHub page. For most Linux users, however, it’s best to install fwupd directly from your distribution’s stable software repositories to ensure smooth updates.