8.4 Radio Dead After Failed Update

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SitKneelBend

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I just ran into the same issue on my 2014 while trying to update my Nav equipped system. I followed the instruction provided on the Uconnect site. The update was uploading fine until it got to part 11, then just stopped. After a few minutes it gave a message to remove the usb drive, a few more minutes and it said to reinsert the usb drive, it started the loading process again and froze in the same spot. Now it is in the endless loop of removing the usb drive, waiting, reinserting the usb drive and freezing at the same spot in the upload process.
I tried using a different usb drive, same issue.

I called Uconnect and they were less than helpful, suggesting that I take it to the dealer, which I will since I purchased the extended warranty when I got this truck last November.

However, the soonest the dealer can get to me is a week and a half, so I'm driving around with no radio, no AC control, no back-up camera and a screen that just keeps bouncing back and forth between "Wait 2-5 minutes" and "Insert usb drive."

Is there a way to completely reboot the system, even if it means losing settings?
No, not in it's current state. You can use the hard buttons to somewhat control the AC temperature. The A/C light won't light nor will the front defroster but the Air will be cold or warm depending on your selection and it will switch between "feet" and front defroster in this state.

I did remove the USB and let it go through the update again many times, but the fix appears to be just leave the update USB in until it works.

If you are under warranty and the radio is factory installed I would DEFINITELY have your current problem documented by your dealership and the radio replaced entirely. This failure is indicative of an actual hardware failure.

For the three of us that have had this issue I'd be curious to know if your NAV is working or if it misreports your location on screen?

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WVrailfan

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No, not in it's current state. You can use the hard buttons to somewhat control the AC temperature. The A/C light won't light nor will the front defroster but the Air will be cold or warm depending on your selection and it will switch between "feet" and front defroster in this state.

I did remove the USB and let it go through the update again many times, but the fix appears to be just leave the update USB in until it works.

If you are under warranty and the radio is factory installed I would DEFINITELY have your current problem documented by your dealership and the radio replaced entirely. This failure is indicative of an actual hardware failure.

For the three of us that have had this issue I'd be curious to know if your NAV is working or if it misreports your location on screen?

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The nav system has always been iffy. Some days it says it is miles from where it is, somedays it is right on the money. Every time I have tried to use it on a trip it has stopped working at some point and just went in circles on the map at the point it stopped working.

My other issue is that the system would not always come on at start up. Most of the time it came right on, but sometimes it would lag a few seconds, other times the lag would be several minutes.

I was kind of hoping the update would correct the lag at start up and the nave issue.
 

WVrailfan

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I get a message to remove the usb after several minutes of non movement at part 11. I take it you just leave the usb drive in and disregard the screen asking you to remove it?
 

SitKneelBend

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Yes, that is the exact error we had and I eventually just ignored it. Magically yesterday morning it was working again.
I get a message to remove the usb after several minutes of non movement at part 11. I take it you just leave the usb drive in and disregard the screen asking you to remove it?

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SitKneelBend

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The nav system has always been iffy. Some days it says it is miles from where it is, somedays it is right on the money. Every time I have tried to use it on a trip it has stopped working at some point and just went in circles on the map at the point it stopped working.

My other issue is that the system would not always come on at start up. Most of the time it came right on, but sometimes it would lag a few seconds, other times the lag would be several minutes.

I was kind of hoping the update would correct the lag at start up and the nave issue.
Sorry, I missed this. I have the identical issue to you in all aspects. My NAV behaves the same way. This update did not fix that issue for me. I'm about to go perform a factory reset on my radio now that it's up and running to see if that changes anything.

I'd be really interested to know if your radio gets replaced under warranty and if so does the radio replacement alone fix the Navigation issue.

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valvestem

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Boy oh boy, am I glad I did not get Nav. I feel bad for you guys. Not only a continuous loop on the update, but to top it off, the finger pointing by uConnect to see the dealer takes the cake. And what does the dealer do, quotes huge money for a fix.
I am glad that patience prevailed and the update finally took hold. I was thinking that some updates for a lot of computerized devices take forever at certain stages, but did not think a radio/nav unit in a truck would be the same.
I'll stick with my portable Garmin for now and the immediate future.
 

WVrailfan

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Here's a big tip o the hat to SitKneelBend. I left the flash drive in the usb port as suggested and sure enough, when I started the truck this morning everything seems to be working fine and it says I now have 17.43.01 as the current system.

Funny that the truck can load the update by itself, without the ignition on and off and door open and closing sequence required per the Uconnect instructions.

Since I have an appointment with the dealer next Friday, I will watch everything closely this coming week.

Thanks for the help folks.

Jim
 

SitKneelBend

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Here's a big tip o the hat to SitKneelBend. I left the flash drive in the usb port as suggested and sure enough, when I started the truck this morning everything seems to be working fine and it says I now have 17.43.01 as the current system.

Funny that the truck can load the update by itself, without the ignition on and off and door open and closing sequence required per the Uconnect instructions.

Since I have an appointment with the dealer next Friday, I will watch everything closely this coming week.

Thanks for the help folks.

Jim
Thanks but @konfuzed gave me the idea. I don't think I would have had patience otherwise!

I'm glad it worked for you. Might I make a suggestion. If you are definitely under warranty I would force this error to occur again the morning of your appointment. Don't tell them how to "fix" it because your radio is suffering from hardware failure and you want that new Radio with a working Sierra Wireless Aircard. I have a suspicion that the Aircard either causes the Navigation to misreport its location because it uses the hardware somehow OR the Navigation firmware is out of date with the rest of the system firmware because it's firmware update module comes after the failed Aircard update. If UConnect would move the Sierra Wireless module to the end or make it a selectable option to update a lit of bricked radios could probably be revived out of warranty!

Unless they dramatically change the flashing process (selective/bypass update) you will see this everytime you try to update firmware. If you are out of warranty I would not update this radio again unless you are willing to have a possible brick (I should take my own advice, but I won't)!



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WVrailfan

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Took it in to the dealer this morning. It didn't take them long to determine the best course of action is to just replace the thing. While they are at it, they are also replacing the overhead console because the map/reading lights stopped working and they are replacing the humidity sensor (didn't even know it ha one) because it showed up as inoperative during their diagnostic. All covered under warranty.

Oh, and they turned on my daytime running lights for me, no charge.
 
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EcoDieselDog

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Good deal! I'm sitting here wondering if I should get an extended warranty and I think you helped me make up my mind. Thanks!
 

Nateisa

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Hello I’m new here. Love my ram 1500 but this f%*+n radio . Mine is frozen on update. I left usb in overnight and started truck and had same problem. I need vehicle for work so just left usb in . Do I need to leave it in longer? And should I remove it before i start truck after a few days or just leave usb in when I start truck. Thanks in advanced. Any suggestions will be great

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SitKneelBend

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Hello I’m new here. Love my ram 1500 but this f%*+n radio . Mine is frozen on update. I left usb in overnight and started truck and had same problem. I need vehicle for work so just left usb in . Do I need to leave it in longer? And should I remove it before i start truck after a few days or just leave usb in when I start truck. Thanks in advanced. Any suggestions will be great

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Yes just leave it be (update USB left in). It should eventually start back up. I would recommend not updating firmware anymore after that failure too. If you are under warranty take it to the dealership with the error on screen to get it replaced.

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Nateisa

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I ended up throwing a big enough fit to all the closest dealership, uconnect, ram service, mopar service, and fiat Chrysler that they are replacing my radio as we speak for free. On the other note. I left the thumb drive in for a couple of days and one morning I went out there it booted up like normal. So I pulled the thumb drive out before it tried to start the update again. It still is giving me the error message and takes a bit to come on occasionally but like I said they are replacing it right now

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Did you drive the truck during this time?
 

SitKneelBend

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Thanks for help. It was bright as hell early this am. I’ll keep you updated
If I remember right it took about two days uninterrupted to come back...good luck!

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Nateisa

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Radio never un froze. Left it run for 10 days. Took to dealer said need new radio $800. Plus charged $80 to test it and try to fix/reboot themselves ‍♂️
 

corneileous

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Wow, after reading through all this, it kinda makes me glad that it’s decided to keep my Uconnect subscription after the free trial is over so the system can just keep itself updated, no flash drive necessary. Sorry for all the problems y’all have been experiencing.


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SitKneelBend

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Radio never un froze. Left it run for 10 days. Took to dealer said need new radio $800. Plus charged $80 to test it and try to fix/reboot themselves ‍[emoji3603]
And you never took the drive out right?

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