Update Firmware on an ELEMNT, BOLT, or ROAM

For current firmware versions on our computers, see

If you are not certain of which computer you have, see Identify an ELEMNT GPS Computer

Automated firmware updates

Once a Wi-Fi network is saved to an ELEMNT computer, as the ELEMNT computer is warming up, it will check for a saved Wi-Fi network. If a saved network is found in range, the computer will check the computer's records against a Wahoo cloud server for any firmware updates (as well as routes, planned workouts, and Strava Live Segments linked to your account).

If found, the updated firmware version will automatically be downloaded to the computer. If an update is not manually triggered before the computer shuts down, it will automatically update the firmware as part of the shutdown sequence. This is to prevent the firmware update from getting in the way of your ride, but helping to ensure the device is always as up to date as possible.

For this reason, it can be helpful to turn your computer on periodically while in range of your saved home Wi-Fi network even if you aren't starting rides to or from the house.

Manual firmware updates

You can also manually trigger a firmware update using the following steps whenever your ELEMNT, BOLT, or ROAM is powered on, well charged, and connected to WiFi directly. (Having your phone connected to Wi-Fi is different than the computer itself directly connected.)

The computer should warm up to the Ready to Ride screen, with Start Ride highlighted at the top. If it doesn't, tap the button on the left side of the computer to access the Ready to Ride/Menu screen.
Tap the upper button on the ride side of the computer once to cycle up to the bottom of that screen. System Info should now be highlighted.
Tap the middle button to select Open. You should now see ID, Free Space, Version, and SN, and Check For Updates should now be highlighted.
Confirm that you have at least 250MB of Free Space.
- This generally is only a question with the first generation ELEMNT, BOLT, or ROAM. The computer needs at least 250MB of space to download the new firmware version to memory before loading it. If you have less than 250MB (and sometimes a little more), you should create a little more space by temporarily deleting some map regions that you don't plan to ride in soon. Details on how to do that are described in the Add, update, or delete Maps on an [ELEMNT] article. Note that there's no risk of loss here, as you can always re-download those maps for free using the process described in that article.
- If you have 250MB, keep reading.
Tap the middle button to select Check.

The computer will attempt to connect to a saved Wi-Fi network in range. A Wi-Fi icon will appear at the top of the computer screen.

Attempting to connect to a Wi-Fi network -- The Wi-Fi icon will flash at ~ 1 second intervals
Successfully connected -- the icon will transition from flashing to solid.
Unsuccessful in attempting to connect -- the icon will temporarily flash and then disappear.

If a Wi-Fi connection is successful, but there is no update available, the computer will show Checking ... and then return to Up to Date.

If there is an update available, it will show Checking... > Downloading update. Once the download is complete, the status will change to Update Available.

Tap the middle button to select Update.

The computer will then update and automatically restart.

Occasionally following an update, it may be necessary to re-pair your ELEMNT, BOLT, or ROAM to the ELEMNT app.

Troubleshooting

Wi-Fi

The most common update failures are related the computer failing to fully connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, or other wireless traffic interrupting the firmware download.

Confirm that your Wi-Fi network is functional (connected to the internet, providing data etc) with a phone or laptop.
Confirm that your ELEMNT computer is connected to Wi-Fi following the steps outlined in Connect ELEMNT, BOLT, or ROAM to Wi-Fi. Note: the ELEMNT computer must have a direct connection to the Wi-Fi network. Your phone being connected to Wi-Fi and your ELEMNT being paired to the ELEMNT app on your phone is not the same thing as your ELEMNT being direcly connected to Wi-Fi,
Ensure that your ELEMNT computer is close and has an unobstructed line of sight to the Wi-Fi router or access point. Turn off as many other wireless devices (any that use Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc) in the area as possible.
Try multiple times.
Try a different Wi-Fi network.

Firmware files, particularly ROM files (the numbers before the hyphen in the firmware version number) are large, and can take up to a few minutes to download depending on your internet download speeds. If the Wi-Fi connection to the computer is broken during the download, the update will fail and the download will have to be restarted. Putting your computer in the best possible conditions (close to router, no obstructions, as little competition for Wi-Fi bandwidth as possible) will help reduce the number of tries necessary to complete an update. Unfortunately, because every modern wireless device uses the same frequency ranges, it may sometimes take a few tries.

Make space by deleting unused map regions

If this does not resolve the issue, your computer (particularly ELEMNT, BOLT v1, and ROAM v1 may not have enough storage to download and install the update. At least 200 MB of free space is recommended to receive updates.

Check your available space by pressing the left-side MENU button, then select SYSTEM INFO.
You can make more space by deleting maps for regions you don't currently need from the ELEMNT app's Settings page, then MANAGE MAPS. You can always download them again for free later.
Power cycle the ELEMNT/BOLT after deleting maps, then retry the update.

Manually delete the system_update_elemnt folder

If the issue persists after deleting maps, try connecting the ELEMNT/BOLT to a laptop or desktop computer and deleting the system_update_elemnt folder.

Ensure your ELEMNT is powered on and ready to start a ride.
Connect your ELEMNT to you laptop/desktop computer via USB and then open the ELEMNT in the computer system's file explorer.
Locate and delete the system_update_elemnt folder.
Eject the ELEMNT like you would a flash drive and then power cycle the ELEMNT and retry the update using the steps above.