Do you own a BMW car and want to enjoy the latest features and enhancements for your vehicle?
If so, you may be interested in updating your car software remotely, without the hassle of visiting a service center.
Sometimes, you may encounter errors or issues when trying to update your car software, such as a failed download, a corrupted file, or a compatibility problem.
Fortunately, there are ways to fix these errors and successfully update your car software.
In this article, we will explain some of the common causes and solutions for BMW software updates not working.
#1. BMW Website Has a Problem
One of the possible reasons why the BMW software update may not work is that the BMW website has a problem.
This could be due to network congestion, server failure, power outage, security attack, or maintenance.
When this happens, the BMW website may be slow, unresponsive, or inaccessible.
Fix – Contact Customer Care or Wait for the Problem to Be Resolved
If you suspect that the BMW website has a problem, you can contact customer care for assistance.
You can find the contact details on the BMW website.
Alternatively, you can wait for the problem to be resolved by checking the website status periodically. You can also try using a different browser or device to access the website.
#2. Computer Is Blocking the BMW Software Update Page
Another possible reason why the BMW software update may not work is that your computer is blocking the BMW software update page.
This could be due to an antivirus program, a browser extension, or a firewall that prevents you from accessing the page.
This may result in a “site can’t be reached” message or a blank page.
Fix – Troubleshoot Your Browser or Disable Your Antivirus Program
If you think that your computer is blocking the BMW software update page, you can troubleshoot your browser or disable your antivirus program.
To troubleshoot your browser, you can try clearing your cookies and cache, disabling your browser extensions, resetting your browser settings, or using a different browser.
To disable your antivirus program, you can follow the instructions provided by your antivirus provider. You can also try restarting your computer or using a different device to access the page.
#3. Wrong BMW Software Update Page
A third possible reason why BMW software update may not work is that you are using the wrong BMW software update page.
There are many websites that claim to offer BMW software updates, but they are not authorized or supported by BMW.
These websites may contain malware, viruses, or outdated software that could harm your car or computer.
Fix – Use the Official BMW Software Update Page
The only way to ensure that you are using the correct BMW software update page is to use the official one provided by BMW.
You can find it on the BMW website. To use it, you will need to enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is a 17-digit code that identifies your car.
You can find it on your registration document or on a sticker on your driver’s side door jamb.
Once you enter your VIN, you will be able to download the latest software update for your car onto a USB drive and load it onto your car.
#4. USB Drive Is Not Compatible or Corrupted
One of the possible causes of BMW software update not working is that the USB drive you are using to download and install the update is not compatible or corrupted.
This could be because the USB drive is not formatted in FAT32, has insufficient storage space, has a virus, or has physical damage.
Fix – Use a Different USB Drive or Format It
If you suspect that your USB drive is the problem, you can try using a different USB drive or format it. To format your USB drive, you can follow the instructions on the BMW website.
Make sure you back up any important data on your USB drive before formatting it, as this will erase everything on it.
After formatting your USB drive, you can download the software update again and load it onto your car.
#5. Car Battery Is Low or Disconnected
Another possible cause of BMW software update not working is that your car battery is low or disconnected.
This could be because you have not driven your car for a long time, you have left some electrical devices on, or you have disconnected the battery for some reason.
If your car battery is low or disconnected, the software update may not start or complete properly.
Fix – Charge Your Car Battery or Reconnect It
If you think that your car battery is the problem, you can try charging your car battery or reconnecting it.
To charge your car battery, you can either drive your car for at least 30 minutes or use a battery charger.
To reconnect your car battery, you can follow the instructions in your owner’s manual.
Make sure you do not turn off your car during the software update process, as this may interrupt it and cause errors.
#6. Car Is Not Connected to WiFi
A third possible cause of BMW software update not working is that your car is not connected to WiFi.
This could be because you have not enabled WiFi in your car settings, you have entered the wrong WiFi password, or you have a weak WiFi signal.
If your car is not connected to WiFi, the software update may not download or install correctly.
Fix – Connect Your Car to WiFi
If you suspect that your car is not connected to WiFi, you can try connecting it to WiFi.
To do this, you can follow the steps on the BMW website. Make sure you choose a reliable and secure WiFi network, and enter the correct password if required.
You can also check the WiFi signal strength in your car display and move your car closer to the router if needed.
#7. Software Update File Is Damaged or Incomplete
Another possible cause of BMW software update not working is that the software update file you downloaded from the BMW website is damaged or incomplete.
This could be because of a network interruption, a download error, or a corrupted file.
If the software update file is damaged or incomplete, the software update may not run or finish properly.
Fix – Download the Software Update File Again
If you think that the software update file is the problem, you can try downloading it again from the BMW website.
To do this, you can follow the instructions on the BMW website. Make sure you have a stable internet connection and enough storage space on your USB drive.
You can also verify the checksum of the file to make sure it matches with the one provided by BMW.
#8. Car Software Is Already Up-to-Date
A fifth possible cause of BMW software update not working is that your car software is already up-to-date.
This could be because you have already installed the latest software update manually or automatically through Remote Software Upgrade.
If your car software is already up-to-date, there is no need to perform another software update.
Fix – Check Your Car Software Version
If you suspect that your car software is already up-to-date, you can check your car software version in your car display.
To do this, you can follow the steps on the BMW website. You can also compare your car software version with the one available on the BMW website.
If they match, then there is no need to update your car software.
#9. Car Is Not Compatible with Software Update
Another possible cause of the BMW software update not working is that your car is not compatible with the software update.
This could be because your car model, year, or configuration does not support the features or enhancements included in the software update.
If your car is not compatible with the software update, there is no point in trying to install it.
Fix – Check Your Car Compatibility
If you think that your car is not compatible with the software update, you can check your car compatibility on the BMW website.
To do this, you can enter your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the BMW website. You will then see a list of available software updates for your car and their compatibility status.
If your car is not compatible with a software update, you will see a message saying “Not available for your vehicle”.
#10. Software Update Is Not Available for Your Region
A seventh possible cause of the BMW software update not working is that the software update is not available for your region.
This could be because of legal, regulatory, or technical reasons that prevent BMW from releasing the software update in your country or area.
If the software update is not available for your region, you will not be able to download or install it.
Fix – Check Your Region Availability
If you suspect that the software update is not available for your region, you can check your region availability on the BMW website.
To do this, you can select your country or area on the BMW website. You will then see a list of available software updates for your region and their release dates.
If the software update is not available for your region, you will see a message saying “Not available in your country/area”.
[…] Autopilot is suspended permanently, the driver will have to wait for the next software update to regain access to […]