WD_BLACK SN7100 SSD Firmware: What You Need to Know

The WD_BLACK SN7100 is a high-performance PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD from SanDisk, tailored for gaming and content creation. It delivers blazing speeds—up to 7,250 MB/s read and 6,900 MB/s write on 1–2 TB models—plus exceptional power efficiency and endurance

What Firmware Does

Firmware is the embedded software that controls SSD hardware operations. Regular firmware updates can:

Improve performance

Fix system compatibility issues

Enhance stability

Enable new features

Firmware management for the SN7100 is handled through WD_BLACK Dashboard (Windows only), which also lets users monitor drive health and enable Game Mode

How to Update SN7100 Firmware

Install WD_BLACK Dashboard

Download from the SanDisk/WD support site to access the firmware update tool

Run the Dashboard

The app should automatically detect your SN7100 drive and notify you if a firmware update is available.

Apply the Update

Follow on-screen instructions—usually involving downloading and installing the update while the drive is idle.

Restart (if prompted)

A reboot may be necessary to finalize the update.

What to Watch For

Windows Exclusivity: Firmware updates via WD_BLACK Dashboard are only available on Windows

Software Issues: While some WD drives (like SN850X or SN770) have faced issues with Kitfox not detecting drives or Dashboard failing to launch, there haven't been widespread reports for the SN7100 specifically

Stay Updated: If WD releases Linux-compatible tools or LVFS support in the future, you can monitor forums or official support pages for news.

In Summary

The WD_BLACK SN7100 SSD delivers powerful performance, efficiency, and high endurance—making it a compelling choice for gamers and content creators

Tom's Hardware

To ensure optimal function and compatibility, regularly check for firmware updates via the WD_BLACK Dashboard on Windows. While update tools can sometimes hit snags, especially on other WD models, using the native app remains the most reliable approach for the SN7100.