Update firmware on an ELEMNT, BOLT 1/2 , or ROAM 1/2 computer

For current firmware versions on our computers, see

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

ELEMNT firmware structure

Like your desktop or laptop computer, ELEMNT computer firmware consists of two parts, [1] a lower structural level operating system layer (ROM) and [1] a top app layer that you interact with.

The | ROM | is identified with a two letters followed by two numbers (ex WR24 or WB17). The | app | layer is identified with five numbers (ex. 17055).


ROM version	app version

The ROM and app layers update incrementally and separately. The app layer will always download and update first, and app layer updates are downloaded automatically during the computer warm up process (if in range of a saved Wi-Fi network) and installed automatically during the shut down process. Because of their size and significance, ROM updates must be downloaded and installed manually. See below for steps.

If you have not updated recently, you may have to complete a few update cycles to get both components updated to the current version.

Requirements

a viable 2.4 Ghz Wi-Fi network set to channel 1-9, saved on the ELEMNT computer
- Note: the computer itself has to have the Wi-Fi network saved, not just that your phone has Wi-Fi access. For more details, see Connect an ELEMNT, BOLT 1/2, or ROAM 1/2 computer to Wi-Fi.
at least 500MB of free space

Check firmware version and free space

You can check your computer's current firmware version and free space on the System Info page of the computer itself.

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 right 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 500MB of Free Space.
- This generally is only a question with the first generation ELEMNT, BOLT, or ROAM. The computer needs at least 500MB of space to download the new firmware version to memory before loading it. If you have less than 500MB, 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 at least 500MB, keep reading.


ROM version	app version	free space

Check for a saved Wi-Fi network

To check that you have a Wi-Fi network saved to your computer, navigate in the ELEMNT app to Settings > Wi-Fi.

Connected networks are saved on the ELEMNT computer and will automatically reconnect when in range, regardless of the computer's pairing status with the ELEMNT app.

If a network is saved and connected, it will appear immediately below the ELEMNT Wi-Fi toggle with a check mark beside it.
If a network is saved, but not connected, it will appear just below the ELEMNT Wi-Fi toggle, but without a check mark.
Networks that are in range, but neither saved, nor connected will appear below OTHER NETWORKS.

Update firmware

If your current ROM or app version does not match the firmware release notes for your computer.

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 the Wi-Fi symbol only temporarily flashes, go double check the Wi-Fi network settings you entered into the computer. For details, see Connect an ELEMNT, BOLT 1/2, or ROAM 1/2 computer to Wi-Fi.
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 you know your firmware version is not current, try again and see Troubleshooting below.
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 to install the downloaded firmware version.

The computer will then update and automatically restart.

Reminder: ROM and app firmware components are updated separately and incrementally, so if you haven't updated recently, you may have to complete a few update cycles to get both components updated to the current version.

Occasionally following a ROM update, it may be necessary to power cycle and/or re-pair your ELEMNT, BOLT, or ROAM to the ELEMNT app to regain normal functionality.
To fully unpair and re-pair your computer to the ELEMNT app/your phone, see

Troubleshooting

Issues with firmware updates come in one of two steps:

downloading the update
installing the update

Downloading the update

Computer updated successfully, but firmware still not current

ROM and app firmware components are updated separately and incrementally, so if you have not updated recently, you may have to complete a few successful update cycles to get both components updated to the current version.

Computer states searching for update, and immediately returns to UP TO DATE, but firmware not current

The most common update failures are related to [1] the computer not being connected to a viable Wi-Fi network, the computer failing to fully connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, or other local Wi-Fi traffic in your home, etc. 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 a viable Wi-Fi following the steps outlined in Connect ELEMNT, BOLT, or ROAM to Wi-Fi. The network must be
1. - 2.4 Ghz frequency.
  - set to a channel, 1-9.
  - authenticated via simple text password, not a secondary splash page.
  - does not have MAC address filtering/whitelisting enabled.
  - Reminder: 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 directly 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.

Computer starts downloading, but download does not complete and returns to UP TO DATE, but firmware not current

The most common update failures are related to [1] the computer failing to fully connect to the internet via Wi-Fi, or [2] other local Wi-Fi traffic in your home, etc. interrupting the firmware download. If a firmware download is interrupted, the computer will not automatically retry. You will need to manually trigger a new download attempt.

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, 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 most modern wireless device use the same frequency ranges, it may sometimes take a few tries.

Occasionally, especially for ELEMNT, BOLT v1, and ROAM v1 during ROM updates, the computer may lack the necessary storage space to download the firmware file to then install it. At least 500 MB of free space is recommended to receive all updates.

The quickest way to make space is to delete a map region from a large country or US state that you do not intend to visit with your bike any time soon. Easy, high volume targets in each region would be

United States: California or Texas
North America: Canada or Mexico
Europe: Spain, Sweden, or Switzerland
Asia: China or India
Oceania: Australia

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. See Add, update, or delete Maps on an ELEMNT computer for more details.
Power cycle the ELEMNT/BOLT after deleting maps, then retry the update.

Updating

Computer stuck in UPDATING screen after restart

If the computer has downloaded the update and restarted as part of the update process, but you find the computer stuck on a screen that says UPDATING indefinitely, the firmware update file has most likely become corrupted. You can resolve this by connecting the ELEMNT/BOLT to a laptop or desktop computer and deleting any files found in the system_update_elemnt folder. These are either previous, partial, or corrupt firmware update files that may be blocking a current update.

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 any files in the system_update_elemnt folder.
Eject the ELEMNT like you would a flash drive and then power cycle the ELEMNT.
Retry the standard update process using the steps above.