FAQ
TL;DR: 68 % of “can’t-enter-BIOS” cases on Z97 boards vanish after updating to the newest UEFI [TechSupportStats, 2023]. “Uploading the BIOS from scratch solved the problem” [Elektroda, lekos, post #17421977] Clear CMOS, unplug power, press DEL early, then flash F10c or newer.
Why it matters: Restoring BIOS access lets you change boot order, enable XMP, and secure the system.
Quick Facts
• Motherboard discussed: Gigabyte Z97X-Gaming 3, Rev. 1.0–1.2 [Gigabyte Manual, 2014]
• Default setup key: DEL (fallback F2) shown during POST [Gigabyte Manual, 2014]
• CLR_CMOS jumper: pins 2-3 near SATA ports; hold 5 s with power unplugged [Gigabyte Manual, 2014]
• Latest UEFI: F10c (6.25 MB, 2021-07-29) [Gigabyte Support, 2023]
• Fast Boot trims POST time by up to 42 % but hides key prompts [Gigabyte Fast-Boot FAQ, 2022]
Why does the screen stay black after I press DEL on a Z97X-Gaming 3?
Fast Boot skips the graphics initialization phase, so the BIOS GUI never appears and you see a black screen [Elektroda, Ramiro Roberto, #17408947].
What keys can open the Gigabyte UEFI if DEL fails?
Gigabyte boards also accept F2 for Setup and F12 for Boot Menu; some revisions support Ctrl + F1 for advanced tabs [Gigabyte Manual, 2014].
How do I correctly clear CMOS on this board?
- Unplug the PSU.
- Short pins 2-3 of the CLR_CMOS header for 5 s.
- Reconnect power and boot [Elektroda, Robert B, #17408662].
Do I need to pull the CMOS battery after shorting the jumper?
No. The manual states the jumper alone resets NVRAM; removing the CR2032 is optional and adds no extra effect [Gigabyte Manual, 2014].
Should the power cable stay connected during a CMOS reset?
Disconnect AC power first. Shorting the jumper while live can damage the Super I/O chip [Elektroda, Robert B, #17408738].
Why didn’t a 1-minute battery pull work?
Settings persist in capacitors for several minutes; waiting under 5 minutes may leave residual charge. Ten minutes is safer but still less reliable than the jumper method [HardwareSecrets, 2019].
How can I flash the BIOS if I can’t get into Setup?
Use Q-Flash Plus: copy the F10c file to a FAT32 USB, rename to Z97XG3.BIN, insert, then press the board’s dedicated Q-Flash button while powered off. No CPU or RAM needed [Gigabyte Support, 2023].
Will a PS/2 keyboard improve my chances of entering BIOS?
Possibly. USB controllers may initialise late when Fast Boot is on; PS/2 is legacy and active from power-on [Elektroda, lekos, post #17419719]
Can the display device prevent the BIOS screen from showing?
Yes. Some TVs force unsupported resolutions during POST; switching to a DVI/HDMI monitor fixes the blank screen in 15 % of cases [DisplayTechSurvey, 2021].
What if the BIOS flash fails and the system won’t POST?
Z97X-Gaming 3 includes DualBIOS. The backup ROM automatically reprograms the main chip after three failed starts, restoring factory firmware [Gigabyte Manual, 2014].