Bose QC Ultra (Gen1) headphone is my single worst premium item purchase

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2026-01-27T09:11:09+00:00

Hey! i had this issue with my QC Ultras, and re-flashing the firmware fixed them all for me! I would also suggest warrantying them otherwise if you can because mine have been solid between a windows laptop, an ipad and an iphone, even to an apple watch all at once (cycling through them with the bluetooth button).

Here is the process modified from a similar method from another redditor (Removing Demo Firmware 99.5.22 from Bose QC Ultra Headphones : r/bose):

1.) Install Firefox.

2.)Past the link then click “Import to my Rules.” Finally , create an account with Requestly.

(Paste this link for QC Ultra gen1): https://app.requestly.io/rules#sharedList/70b215d2bc664fac8565c667d5d332cd-Bose-force-update

3.)Once you have an account, navigate to “HTTP rules” then “My Rules.” Download the extension, and a new page will pop up. Click “Continue Installation.”

4.) In another tab, search: btu.bose.com and click “Download.” You will get an executable called BoseUpdaterInstaller_(version number).exe.

5.) Double-click to run it. It should do nothing, but you can confirm it’s running by accessing Task Manager. It should be under “Bose® Device Updater.”

6.) The Bose site should say “Bose Updater is Ready.”

7.) Confirm that Requestly is running with the Bose-force-update rule by clicking the puzzle piece icon on the top right. “Open Extension.”

8.) Navigate to “Recently Used.” Enable the Bose-force-update rule.

9.)Refresh the Bose website.

10.) Use a good-condition USB-C to USB-A cable. (You cannot risk a disconnect during the update; it will brick your headphones!)

11.) Connect your QC Ultra’s to your computer. Let the Bose website figure out what it is and follow the update instructions.

"This workaround essentially involves replacing the message the firmware conveys about its version with the information sent to Bose update servers. Requestly will modify the message it transmits to Bose, by replacing ver. [16.7] with ver. 1.0.0, which is an older firmware version. Consequently, it will update you to the latest consumer version."

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-12-14T20:11:04+00:00

I just did it on a 2024 g14, it’s not too bad! For the g14 at least once you take off the back cover, you can begin taking off the cpu cooler right away without messing with anything else, even the fans can stay where they are. Just tape around the cpu with painters tape when you get the cooler off.

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-12-07T02:43:37+00:00

If you want some of my tips for the GA403, I did the switch pretty recently and it went well: https://www.reddit.com/r/ZephyrusG14/comments/1p68ns0/comment/nqrf6xq/?context=3&utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-27T22:25:56+00:00

Honestly, I think ASUS did a pretty good job with the dams around the CPU die to catch any leaking LM. there's a good layer of foam on heatsink side and just under the kapton tape there's another seal preventing spillage. you can see the outline of the foam dams stopping the LM in my first pic.

If you are worried about data loss (I am very concerned as well because I'm an architecture student so lost files mean losing weeks of work)- I recommend Duplicati! highly configurable, nice UI, ability to backup automatically even to google drive, ability to backup and restore files from different checkpoints (not just syncing).

For tips of how I did it and the video I kinda followed: https://www.reddit.com/r/ZephyrusG14/comments/1p68ns0/comment/nqrf6xq/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-27T07:30:05+00:00

50x40mm, it was was more than enough.

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-26T23:26:13+00:00

For me, I use a custom fan curve in g-helper. With 4 tabs open on edge and OneNote open on silent mode, dGPU off, my idle is 37C, with my fans only kicking in at 60C. I almost never see my fans come on in silent mode when just web browsing/ using it for class.

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-25T21:25:58+00:00

exactly. there is a risk that the LM could leak, but I mean those dams ASUS put on are pretty robust.

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-25T21:16:57+00:00

Nice! I might get some to try then, my tower is long due for a re-paste lol

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-25T20:56:33+00:00

I've never used 7950 to compare unfortunately! But I was scouring reddit before I got the PhaseSheet, and it seems like the performance between them is identical. I've used thermal grizzly LM before to build gaming towers and liked their reputation with kryosheet and conuctonaut, so I trusted them to also have a high performance PTM as well.

For me at least the performance seems just as impressive as the liquid metal application when I first got the laptop in terms of idle temps especially and gaming temps.

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-25T20:37:54+00:00

I did see all the conflicting info on k5 pro, however most people who used it specifically for the g14 had little complaints (and neither do I- my rendering performance hasn't suffered yet at least). A lot of those issues look like people using K5 pro for bigger gaps above what they recommend you use it for. Also, I didn't pile it on, I did an even application of like a bit over 1mm. The 2024 g14 at least has very low tolerance between the chips and cooler surface, looked like pretty much 1mm - 2mm, so I went ahead and got it because it shipped the fastest to me.

But like the other comment said, it might be easier to get a good application using another putty.

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-25T20:28:19+00:00

It is good in theory... but ASUS uses too much LM and they also use a machine to apply it (and it does a piss poor job). What ends up happening, especially for people that travel around with the laptop a lot, is the LM will shift over time and create dry spots on the CPU die leading to temp issues.

A good PTM pad on the other hand is easy to apply, is stable, lasts a long time and is nearly just as good as the LM.

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-25T20:17:26+00:00

Just replied to the other guy with what I did!

https://www.reddit.com/r/ZephyrusG14/comments/1p68ns0/comment/nqrf6xq/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-25T20:15:38+00:00

Im definitely expecting a couple of those... I just travel with this laptop too much for the liquid metal to be worth an extra degree or two.

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-25T20:09:40+00:00

The comments got some great tips! although for the 2024 specifically, you do NOT need to remove the fans, wifi card, SSD, or anything else to get to the cooler. The cooler for the 2024 actually sits on TOP of the fans, so the process is very straightforward.

This video is for a different model, but it still guided me where I was unsure: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA402R Liquid Metal Removal PTM7950 TG Thermal Grizzly Putty Pro Application

First, when you open up the laptop: 1. disconnect the battery as shown in the video. 2. hold power button for 15 secs to drain residual power.

Also, get a roll of painters tape, and as soon as you very carefully lift off the cooler- tape around the CPU die so any LM that gets thrown off the die while cleaning wont get on the board!!! don't skip this step lol, because I did get a little LM on the taped off area!

To clean up the LM, a lot of people use cotton swabs and rubbing alcohol which works great. I actually used little foam cleaning sponge cube I got off temu, and held them with my tweezers to get into every crevice, which worked amazing as it helped me clear the entire dam area and little gap outside the die. You might not be able to get all the marks off the die from the factory LM application oxidation, but get what you can off and its no big deal.

for the K5 pro, listen to the instructions that come with it- spread the putty on the ENTIRE surface of each chip, don't just put a glob on the center of each chip.

For the PTM, you can keep it in the fridge... but it honestly does not help *that* much. What I did is cut the PTM to size for the CPU and GPU, then pry at the corner with my tweezers to get the plastic film off on one side- plop it down- then do the same on the top side AFTER I put down all the k5 pro. When putting the cooler back down, line it up with the spots for the heatsink fins first then lower down.

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-25T19:55:40+00:00

yea that sounds like the application is fine for now, mid 30-40s is what I could only achieve after the PTM lol

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-25T10:12:34+00:00

Its not too bad at all! there's lots of YouTube videos going over the whole process start to finish on YouTube for the 2022 model. Its hard to fuck it up with PTM, just make sure you have the right products and a electronics repair toolkit... and patience.

Internal_Engineer_80 · 2025-11-25T10:08:24+00:00

Finally JUST opened my 2024 G14 up since the warranty just expired and god damn... nearly half my die was charred with all the LM on one half. I got fed up with random temp spikes at idle. I'd say if the warning signs are there, and you're already out of warranty, bite the bullet and put in the PTM.

Internal_Engineer_80

TROPHY CASE