It is important to keep your Fanatec hardware up to date. The Fanatec App (for Windows PC) includes all the latest firmware packages for all Fanatec hardware, and these are installed via the included Firmware Manager. The manager walks you through all the steps, so follow the instructions carefully.
There are a number of factors that could cause issues during the update process, and in rare cases, the product could become completely non-functional – it can’t turn on, doesn’t respond to input, and might not be recoverable without repair. This ‘bricking’ can happen due to power interruptions or other instability during firmware update, or corruption of the system’s boot process.
Bricking can happen to nearly any electronic device that has updatable firmware, including smartphones, routers, game consoles, PCs, and smart home devices.
Types of bricking
There are two main types of bricking: hard brick and soft brick. Understanding the difference can help you determine what to do next.
Hard brick
A hard-bricked device shows no signs of life – no lights, no display, and no system response.
- Symptoms: Unit is completely unresponsive.
- Causes: Power loss during a firmware update, flashing the wrong firmware, or severe hardware damage.
- Fixability: Typically irreversible without specialized tools or hardware replacement.
Soft brick
A soft-bricked device still powers on, but it doesn’t boot properly. You might see it stuck in a boot loop, frozen on a logo screen, or unable to load the operating system.
- Symptoms: Device turns on but doesn’t fully boot.
- Causes: Corrupted firmware, interrupted updates, or failed mods.
- Fixability: Often fixable with a firmware reinstallation, factory reset, or recovery tools.
Tips on best practices
Use a stable power supply
Never update firmware during a storm or in an area with unstable power. A sudden loss of power mid-update is one of the most common causes of bricking. (In most cases, update interruptions due to a loss of power are recoverable.)
Ensure your PC is stable
Make sure your PC’s operating system is running smoothly and avoid running multiple background applications.
Don’t interrupt the update process
Even if the update tool appears momentarily frozen, do not unplug the device, restart your PC, or close the software. Interrupting an update is a potential way to brick your hardware. If the update appears to be frozen for more than 10 minutes, you should close the updater, reboot the device, check all cables, and try again.
Keep your hands off the device
Don’t press buttons, move axes (on controllers), or remove/connect components during an update, unless the instructions specifically tell you to.
Use a direct USB connection
Always connect your device directly to your PC via USB, using the original cable. Avoid using USB hubs or extension cables, which can introduce connection issues.
Modify hardware at your own risk
If you modify your device in any way, not only are you potentially voiding your warranty, but you may be increasing the risk of bricking, as mods can change the mechanical or electrical performance of the product, which could cause conflicts with firmware updates or system checks.
What to do if your hardware is frozen
If your device seems frozen but isn't completely unresponsive, there's a chance it's not fully bricked.
- Check cables and try different/better USB connection and try update again
- Check for instructions in the Fanatec App and Firmware Manager
- Check for recovery tools in the Firmware Manager
Always refer to the device's official documentation or support forums before attempting recovery. If your device is hard-bricked, Fanatec’s tech support team can help resolve the issue.
In many cases, you can enter bootloader mode to reinstall or repair the firmware. To enter bootloader mode:
- Turn off your Fanatec base. If the base is frozen 'on' then you may need to disconnect the power cable. Wait 30 seconds before reconnecting the power. Ensure that the base is connected to your PC via USB using the original cable.
- Press and hold the power button for approximately 8 seconds. The power LED will blink, and the Fanatec Firmware Updater should open.
- It may be necessary to install the previous version of the software to complete the firmware update.
Note: Once in bootloader mode, your device may appear as an unrecognized USB device in Windows. This is normal. Once the firmware update is successful, the device will be recognized by Windows again.