OBD2 Firmware Update: Keep Your OBDLink Adapter Performing at Its Best

Regularly updating the firmware on your OBDLink adapter is crucial for ensuring optimal performance, enhanced features, and the latest compatibility. Firmware updates are released periodically by our development team to improve functionality, address potential issues, and expand the capabilities of your OBD adapter. Think of it like updating the operating system on your smartphone or computer – it keeps everything running smoothly and efficiently. This article will guide you through the process of updating your OBDLink adapter’s firmware using both the OBDLink app and a Windows PC, ensuring you always have the most up-to-date technology under the hood.

Why Update Your OBD2 Firmware?

Before diving into the “how-to,” it’s important to understand why Obd2 Firmware Updates are beneficial. These updates are not just about adding new bells and whistles; they are about maintaining and improving the core functionality of your OBDLink adapter. Here are key reasons to keep your firmware current:

• Performance Enhancements: Firmware updates often include optimizations that improve the speed and reliability of data transfer between your vehicle and your OBDLink adapter. This can lead to faster diagnostics, smoother real-time data streaming, and a more responsive user experience.
• Bug Fixes and Stability: Like any software, firmware can have bugs. Updates address these issues, resolving glitches and improving the overall stability of your adapter. This means fewer unexpected disconnects, errors, or malfunctions during critical diagnostic procedures.
• New Features and Functionality: Firmware updates can unlock new features and capabilities for your OBDLink adapter. This might include support for new vehicle protocols, expanded diagnostic options, or enhanced compatibility with the latest OBDLink apps and software.
• Improved Vehicle Compatibility: The automotive industry is constantly evolving, with new vehicle models and communication protocols emerging regularly. Firmware updates ensure your OBDLink adapter remains compatible with the widest range of vehicles, including newer models.
• Security Updates: In today’s connected world, security is paramount. Firmware updates can include security patches that protect your OBDLink adapter and vehicle network from potential vulnerabilities.

By regularly performing an OBD2 firmware update, you are proactively ensuring that your OBDLink adapter is a reliable, powerful, and secure tool for vehicle diagnostics and performance monitoring.

Firmware Update Methods for OBDLink Adapters

Updating your OBDLink adapter’s firmware is a straightforward process that can be accomplished using two primary methods: via the OBDLink mobile app (for Android and iOS) and via a Windows PC using the STN Firmware Updater utility. The best method for you will depend on your OBDLink adapter model and your preferred device for performing the update.

Here’s a table summarizing the update methods for different OBDLink adapter models and operating systems:

Let’s explore each update method in detail.

Updating Firmware via OBDLink App (iOS & Android)

The OBDLink app provides a convenient and user-friendly way to update your adapter’s firmware directly from your smartphone or tablet. This method is recommended for most users and OBDLink adapter models.

Prerequisites before you begin:

• Vehicle and Adapter Connection: Ensure your vehicle is started and your OBDLink adapter is securely plugged into the OBD-II port.
• Bluetooth Connection: Confirm your phone or tablet is connected to your OBDLink adapter via Bluetooth.
• Disable Other Bluetooth Devices: To avoid interference, make sure your phone or tablet is not actively streaming to other Bluetooth/BLE devices.
• Turn Off Other Paired Devices: Ensure any other devices previously paired with your OBDLink adapter have Bluetooth disabled.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Verify Connection in the App: Open the OBDLink app and ensure it displays “Connected” to your OBDLink adapter on the home screen.

   iOS	Android
   	Image: OBDLink App home screen on Android, confirming a successful connection to the OBD adapter.

2. Navigate to Firmware Updates: Within the OBDLink app, go to Settings (usually represented by a gear icon) and then select Firmware Updates.

   iOS	Android
   	Image: Navigating to the Firmware Updates section within the OBDLink App settings on Android.

3. Check for Updates: On the Firmware Updates screen, you will see the currently installed firmware version for your OBDLink adapter. Tap the Menu icon (usually three dots or lines) and select Check For Updates from the menu options.

   iOS	Android
   	Image: Locating the Menu icon to initiate the firmware update check within the OBDLink App on Android.
   	Image: Selecting the “Check For Updates” option from the menu to begin the firmware update process on Android.

4. Review Adapter Status: The app will communicate with our servers to check for available updates.

   • “This device is up to date”: If you see this message, your firmware is already current, and no update is needed. Simply tap the back arrow to return to the home screen.
   • “Version n.n.n is now available for download”: If a new firmware version is available, you will see this message along with the new version number. Tap the forward arrow (>) to proceed to the firmware details.

   iOS	Android
   	Image: The OBDLink App indicating a new firmware update is available for download on Android, prompting the user to proceed.

5. Download Firmware Update: The next screen will display details about the currently installed firmware and the new version available. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap the Download button to begin downloading the firmware update file to your device.

   iOS	Android
   	Image: Initiating the firmware download process by tapping the “Download” button in the OBDLink App on Android.

6. Update Firmware: Once the download is complete, the Download button will change to Update Firmware. Scroll to the bottom of the screen again and tap Update Firmware.

   iOS	Android
   	Image: Proceeding with the firmware installation by tapping the “Update Firmware” button within the OBDLink App on Android.

7. Confirm Firmware Update: A confirmation prompt will appear. Tap Update Firmware again to confirm and begin the firmware update installation process.

   iOS	Android
   	Image: Providing final confirmation to begin the OBD2 firmware update installation on Android.

8. Firmware Installation: The firmware update process will now begin. This typically takes 3-5 minutes. Ensure your vehicle remains running and the connection is stable during this time. A progress bar may be displayed.

9. Completion Message: Once the firmware installation is successfully completed, you will see a “loading successful” message. Tap OK to acknowledge and return to the OBDLink app home screen.

   iOS	Android
   	Image: Successful OBD2 firmware update confirmation message displayed in the OBDLink App on Android.

10. Reconnect Adapter: After the firmware update, your OBDLink adapter may automatically disconnect. On the home screen, tap Connect to re-establish the connection to your OBDLink adapter and resume using the app.

    iOS	Android
    	Image: Reconnecting to the OBDLink adapter after a successful firmware update via the OBDLink App on Android.

Updating Firmware via a Windows PC (STN Firmware Updater)

For users who prefer to use a Windows PC or for certain OBDLink adapter models, the STN Firmware Updater utility provides an alternative method for updating firmware.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Download STN Firmware Updater: Visit the STN Firmware Updater download page and download the utility.

2. Install the Utility: Run the downloaded Install-StnFirmwareUpdater.exe file and follow the on-screen instructions to install the STN Firmware Updater on your Windows PC.

3. Connect OBDLink Adapter to PC: Connect your OBDLink adapter to your Windows PC using a USB cable. Ensure your vehicle is not running during this process.

4. Run STN Firmware Updater: Launch the STN Firmware Updater application from your Windows PC.

5. Upload Firmware: Within the utility, click the Upload button. The STN Firmware Updater will automatically detect your connected OBDLink adapter and begin the firmware update process.

6. Firmware Update Completion: Once the firmware update is complete, the STN Firmware Updater will display a message indicating that your adapter is up-to-date.

7. Disconnect and Close: Click the Disconnect button within the STN Firmware Updater and then close the application.

After completing the firmware update using either method, you can reconnect your OBDLink adapter to your vehicle and use it with the OBDLink App or OBDwiz software as usual.

Troubleshooting Firmware Update Issues

While the firmware update process is generally reliable, you might occasionally encounter issues. Here are some common symptoms and troubleshooting steps:

Symptoms of a potentially failed firmware update:

• Button/Factory Reset Not Working: (OBDLink MX+ and LX adapters only) – The physical reset button on the adapter fails to initiate a reset.
• Error Message – Command Timed Out: You receive an error message during the update process indicating a command timeout.
• Connection Issues: Adapter does not connect after the update.

Troubleshooting Steps:

• Retry via Windows Tool (EX and SX Adapters): For OBDLink EX and SX adapters, if you encounter issues with the app update, retry the firmware update process using the Windows STN Firmware Updater tool.
• Bluetooth Connection Troubleshooting (MX+, LX, CX Adapters): For OBDLink MX+, LX, and CX adapters, Bluetooth connection issues can sometimes interfere with firmware updates. Follow the steps below to troubleshoot and retry the update process via the OBDLink app.

Retry Firmware Update Using the OBDLink App

If a firmware update appears to have failed, the OBDLink adapter is often still recoverable. Follow these steps to attempt a retry using the OBDLink app:

1. Disable Bluetooth Interference: Ensure no other Bluetooth/BLE devices are streaming or actively connected to your phone/tablet.

2. Turn Off Other Paired Devices: Disable Bluetooth on any other devices that might be paired with the OBDLink adapter.

3. Disable Third-Party OBD Apps: Close or disable any other OBD apps that might be using the OBDLink adapter (e.g., Torque Pro).

4. Power Cycle OBDLink Adapter: Unplug the OBDLink adapter from your vehicle’s OBD port, wait 10 seconds, and then plug it back in.

5. iOS Users – Verify Bluetooth Connection: On iOS devices only, go to Settings > Bluetooth and confirm that your phone/tablet is showing as “Connected” to the OBDLink adapter in the Bluetooth settings menu. Do not tap the CONNECT button within the OBDLink app at this stage.

6. Navigate to Firmware Updates in OBDLink App: Open the OBDLink app and go to Settings > Firmware Updates.

7. Check for Updates Again: Tap the Menu icon and select Check For Updates.

   iOS	Android
   	Image: Accessing the “Check For Updates” option again after a potentially failed firmware update attempt in the OBDLink App on Android.
   	Image: Re-initiating the firmware update check from the menu within the OBDLink App after troubleshooting connection issues on Android.

8. Review Adapter Status and Retry Update: Review the adapter status. If a new firmware version is available, tap the forward arrow (>) to proceed and follow steps 5-10 in the “Updating Firmware via OBDLink App” section above to download and install the firmware update again.

   iOS	Android
   	Image: Proceeding with a retry of the OBD2 firmware update download after troubleshooting and re-checking for updates in the OBDLink App on Android.

Device Recovery When OBDLink App Has Been Reinstalled

In the rare event that a firmware update fails and you have uninstalled and reinstalled the OBDLink app, you may need to use the built-in firmware recovery utility.

Important Note: Do not tap the CONNECT button in the OBDLink app at any point during this recovery procedure.

1. Ensure No Bluetooth Interference/Other App Usage: Follow steps 1-4 from the “Retry Firmware Update Using the OBDLink App” section above to minimize Bluetooth interference and disable other OBD apps.

2. iOS Users – Verify Bluetooth Connection: On iOS, confirm the OBDLink adapter is connected in Settings > Bluetooth.

3. Verify Communication Type: In the OBDLink app, navigate to Settings > Preferences > Communications > Communication Type. Ensure Bluetooth is selected as the communication type.

   Tap Bluetooth.	Tap Bluetooth.
   	Image: Verifying Bluetooth communication type settings in the OBDLink App on Android before initiating firmware recovery.
   Confirm your adapter is selected and tap OK.	Confirm your adapter is selected and tap OK.
   	Image: Confirming Bluetooth selection and tapping “OK” in the Communication Type settings for firmware recovery on Android.

4. Navigate to Firmware Recovery: Go to Settings > Firmware Updates in the OBDLink app. You may see a “OBDLink Device Not Found” message, which is normal. Tap OK to dismiss it. Then, tap the Menu icon and select Firmware Recovery.

   iOS	Android
   Tap the Menu button, then tap Firmware Recovery.
   Image: Accessing the Firmware Recovery option from the menu in the OBDLink App on iOS.	Image: Accessing the Firmware Recovery option from the menu in the OBDLink App on Android.
   Tap Yes to continue.	Tap Yes to continue.
   Image: Confirming the initiation of Firmware Recovery in the OBDLink App on Android.	Image: Confirming the initiation of Firmware Recovery in the OBDLink App on Android.

5. Check for Updates and Retry Update: Follow steps 7-12 from the “Retry Firmware Update Using the OBDLink App” section above, starting from checking for updates again within the Firmware Recovery mode.

   iOS	Android
   	Image: Checking for firmware updates again within the Firmware Recovery mode of the OBDLink App on Android.
   	Image: Re-checking for firmware updates from the menu within Firmware Recovery mode to attempt adapter recovery on Android.
   	Image: Proceeding with the firmware update download after initiating Firmware Recovery and re-checking for updates in the OBDLink App on Android.

By following these troubleshooting and recovery steps, you should be able to successfully update your OBDLink adapter’s firmware and ensure it’s running the latest and most stable version. Keeping your OBD2 firmware updated is a key aspect of maintaining your OBDLink adapter’s performance and longevity, allowing you to get the most out of your vehicle diagnostics and monitoring.

Need More Help?

If you continue to experience difficulties updating your OBD2 firmware or have other questions, our support resources are available:

• OBDLink Support Forum: Connect with other OBDLink users and our support team on our online forum.
• Submit a Support Ticket: For personalized assistance, submit a support ticket to our dedicated technical support team.

OBDLink® is a registered trademark of OBD Solutions, LLC.