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Use Samsung Magician to check the firmware installed on your 990 PRO, compare it with Samsung’s official firmware listing, and review the drive’s health/status information. Samsung’s listing currently shows firmware 8B2QJXD7, released in December 2025 to improve read-operation stability. Back up important files before firmware maintenance and follow the instructions shown on screen.
Before you start
- Download Samsung Magician from Samsung’s consumer storage support page. Samsung offers the utility for Windows and macOS and recommends using the latest version; the version displayed on the page can change.
- Confirm that the detected drive is a Samsung 990 PRO, not another Samsung SSD. Samsung identifies the 990 PRO as a PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD. For fit, heatsink clearance, or access questions, check the exact capacity/model and your computer or motherboard documentation.
- Back up important files before firmware maintenance. Use Samsung Magician’s current on-screen guidance rather than assuming an update procedure or option is identical across operating systems.
How to check and update 990 PRO firmware
- Open Samsung Magician and select the detected 990 PRO. Check its displayed firmware version before taking action.
- Open Samsung’s official support download page and locate the 990 PRO series firmware listing. Compare the installed version with the current listing; support information can change.
- If the installed version is older, use Samsung Magician’s available firmware update option and follow its on-screen instructions. Samsung’s support listing also provides ISO firmware; use the instructions supplied with the relevant Samsung download rather than an unofficial mirror or an assumed procedure.
- When the maintenance process completes, reopen Magician and check the displayed firmware version. If the drive is not detected or the version does not change, consult Samsung’s model-specific support information before trying further steps.
Which 990 PRO firmware does Samsung list?
Samsung’s official 990 PRO series listing currently identifies ISO firmware 8B2QJXD7, released in December 2025. Samsung’s release note says its purpose is “To improve read-operation stability.” Confirm the live listing before updating because the available version and instructions may change.
| Firmware | Samsung’s listed release date | Stated purpose |
|---|---|---|
| 8B2QJXD7 | December 2025 | Improve read-operation stability |
| 7B2QJXD7 | September 2025 | Address intermittent non-recognition and blue-screen issues |
| 4B2QJXD7 | December 2024 | Address reports of high temperatures logged on Samsung Magician |
These are Samsung’s descriptions of the releases, not evidence that every 990 PRO with older firmware has the listed symptom. Samsung’s support page also lists Samsung Magician for Windows and macOS; its retrieved listing showed version 9.0.1, but Samsung recommends downloading the latest version rather than relying on that older version number.
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How to check Samsung 990 PRO SSD health
- Open Samsung Magician and select the 990 PRO.
- Review the drive’s health/status area and any warnings the utility displays. Samsung’s support materials describe SMART health monitoring as a way to monitor drive status.
- If Magician reports a warning, preserve a backup and check Samsung’s model-specific support information. Treat the status as a reason to investigate, not as a diagnosis based on one number alone.
The available Samsung support material does not establish attribute-by-attribute SMART thresholds for declaring a 990 PRO failed. Do not infer imminent failure from a single SMART reading or apply a generic numeric cutoff as though Samsung specified it.
Quick Recap
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Samsung SSD 990 PRO with Heatsink 1TB, NVMe M.2, Up to 7,450MB/s
- OUR ULTIMATE SSD: Reach near max performance with PCIe 4.0*; The in-house controller's smart heat control delivers our best power efficiency while maintaining ferocious performance that always keeps you at the top of your game
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SAMSUNG - SOLID STATE DRIVES (SS SSD 4TB 990 PRO PCIE 4.0 X4 NVME 2.0 M.2 2280, MZ-V9P4T0BW
- High-performance PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD for high-end PC gaming as well as 4K video and 3D editing, data analytics and more.
- Exceptional speed: Sequential read/write speeds of up to 7,450 MB/s and 6,900 MB/s respectively for all variants from 1 to 4 TB of storage capacity.
- High reliability and long-lasting performance thanks to Heat Spreader and Dynamic Thermal Guard technology to protect against overheating
- Storage capacities of up to 4 TB in compact M.2 form factor (2280), Ideal for high-performance (gaming) PCs and notebooks/ultrabooks
- Easy drive management, with user-friendly Samsung Magician software for drive updates and performance optimisation
Rank #3
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Samsung SSD 990 PRO with Heatsink 4TB, NVMe M.2, Up to 7,450MB/s
- BLAZING SPEED. COOL VICTORY: Consider this a cheat code; Our Samsung 990 PRO Gen 4 with Heatsink SSD helps you reach near max performance* with lightning-fast speeds and Heatsink for improved temperature control
- 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 #1 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
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Rank #2
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Samsung SSD 990 PRO 1TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280, Up to 7,450 MB/s
- 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
#1 Best Overall
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Samsung SSD 990 PRO 2TB, PCIe 4.0 M.2 2280, Up to 7,450 MB/s
- 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
If the 990 PRO is missing or shows a warning
- Make sure Magician is the current release available from Samsung and check that the detected device is the 990 PRO.
- For a drive that is not detected, consult Samsung’s support information for the exact model and check your computer or motherboard documentation for relevant M.2 access and compatibility details.
- For a health warning, back up important data before troubleshooting. The health/status display is useful for monitoring, but it does not by itself identify the cause or supply a complete repair procedure.
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