Bricking

Bricking, in its most common usage, refers to the act of rendering a device, typically electronic, non-functional and unusable, often permanently, through a failed update, software corruption, or hardware malfunction. The term evokes the image of the device becoming as useless as a brick. It's a frustrating experience for users, often leading to the need for professional repair or complete replacement of the device. The term can also be used metaphorically to describe the destruction of any system or function, making it unusable.

Bricking meaning with examples

• After attempting to flash custom firmware, the phone was bricked, displaying only a blank screen and refusing to boot. The user now faced the prospect of repair, but with no guarantee of success. This was a clear example of the risks associated with modding.
• The software update for the smart thermostat bricked the device. It would not restart, failing on the start-up screen. The user found it had now no temperature control, which was a huge issue considering it was winter.
• Attempting to fix a corrupted bootloader, caused a data loss, ultimately Bricking the tablet. It would not turn on, thus rendering it completely useless. The user had backed up no data, regretting all their previous choices.
• Due to a hardware failure on the motherboard, the computer was essentially bricked. No repair was possible, forcing the user to discard it as scrap. Their hard drive was luckily still useable with other computers