Brom Disabled By Efuse 0x146

Receiving the brom disabled by efuse 0x146 message is a clear sign that a device is running modernized, hardware-enforced security. Software cracks can no longer alter this state because the internal physical fuse is blown.

When 0x146 appears, the following consequences are almost universal:

: Do not attempt to flash older firmware over a device showing a 0x146 eFuse error. This can result in a hard brick that is difficult to recover.

If you connect a fully functional, stock phone to SP Flash Tool and attempt to download preloader or DA (Download Agent) without an authorized DA file signed by MediaTek, the BROM reads the eFuse state. Upon seeing that the debug fuse is blown (value = 0x146 status), it refuses the connection and throws the error.

This public link is valid for 7 days and shares a thread, including any personal information you added. This link or copies made by others cannot be deleted. If you share with third parties, their policies apply. Can’t copy the link right now. Try again later. Possible BROM TestPoints G23 | penangf #1 - GitHub brom disabled by efuse 0x146

The term refers to "electronic fuses" within the CPU—one-time programmable (OTP) bits that, once "blown" or set to a specific value, cannot be reversed. When a device shows the 0x146 value, it indicates that the manufacturer has triggered a security fuse to disable external access to this BROM interface. Why Manufacturers Use 0x146

Confirm irreversible nature

Tools like Mi Flash (for Xiaomi) or specialized service software require an active internet connection to authenticate with corporate servers.

Concrete examples and command snippets

For the repair community, this means:

If the bootloader and preloader partitions are completely corrupted, the device won't boot into Preloader mode, and BROM is physically blocked. The only remaining option is to target the storage chip directly.

In practice, the error appears in the logs of flashing tools after the tool has successfully initialised the chip, but just when it tries to gain deeper BROM access:

The primary outcome of a blown eFUSE is the . This locks out many standard repair and service functions. Receiving the brom disabled by efuse 0x146 message

The trend is clear: more manufacturers, especially Chinese brands like Vivo and Honor, are moving to fuse the BROM. The error codes vary (e.g., 0x102, 0x10F, 0x142, 0x14E, 0x307), but the underlying mechanism is the same. Each code likely corresponds to a different eFuse address or configuration, but the effect is identical: BROM disabled.

To understand the error, it helps to understand how a MediaTek device boots. The startup sequence flows through distinct security stages:

The security and integrity of modern mobile hardware often depend on one-way hardware switches known as electronic fuses (eFuses). Understanding the eFuse Mechanism