Before going into detail and outlining a step-by-step guide on how to update the drivers of your Fanatec Wheel Base, we need to differ between firmware and drivers.
Firmware controls the overall operation of the device and may include drivers as part of its programming. Drivers, however, are software components that enable communication between the operating system and specific hardware, such as your Fanatec Wheel Base, Shifter, Steering Wheel, and other peripherals.
Within the Fanatec Control Panel software you can update both, and with the (beta) release of the new Fanatec App, users have a simplified alternative to using the Control Panel for updates.
Firmware update
Each driver contains firmware for the following hardware:
- Wheel Bases
- Selected Steering Wheels
- USB Pedals (via USB)
- ClubSport USB Adaptor
IMPORTANT: You should always connect your Steering Wheels to your Wheel Base after installing a new driver to check if a firmware update is available.
When firmware updates are available for connected hardware, go to the ‘Firmware Update’ tab to view details and available updates for each device. Additionally, a notification will appear in the bottom-left corner of the driver UI, indicating that an update is available. Clicking the notification will take you directly to the ‘Firmware Update’ tab.
Select ‘Open Firmware Manager’ to begin the firmware update process. Available updates will be displayed based on your hardware configuration.
NOTE: Firmware can be updated manually by selecting ‘Manual Firmware Update’. This option is intended for advanced users only and carries risks, including potential hardware damage or permanently bricking the device.
NOTE: When using the Podium Hub with the Button Module Endurance, you may encounter issues updating the firmware for both devices. If this happens, disconnect the Button Module Endurance from the Podium Hub, complete the firmware update for the Podium Hub, and then reconnect the Button Module Endurance. Alternatively, firmware updates can be performed through the driver when using a ClubSport USB Adapter connected directly to the PC via USB.
Simply select ‘Update’ to start the firmware updating process:
The Firmware Manager will guide you through all the necessary steps to update the firmware of your Fanatec hardware.
Driver update
When driver updates are available, a notification will appear in the bottom-left corner of the driver UI.
To download the latest driver, go to the ‘Settings’ tab and select ‘Check for Update’ or click ‘Download Newest Driver’ in the ‘Driver Update’ section. If you haven't installed your Fanatec driver yet, visit our website to download the latest version. Then the program will guide you through the installation and asks you to restart your system in the end.
You can find further support via this YouTube video guide:
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