Need help updating DD extreme

  • Thread starter Thread starter Lightpilgrim
  • 18 comments
  • 623 views
Lightpilgrim

Lightpilgrim

Messages
794
Poland
Poland
Messages
A_Dylikowski
Dear all,

Could someone please help a Mac user get this right on Windows? I picked up a Windows laptop specifically to update firmware for my Fanatec DD Extreme base and wheel (also using SimNet), and I’m genuinely struggling to be confident I’ve done it correctly.

Everything looks like it’s connected and updating, but the experience is quite unclear to me. The software isn’t very intuitive, and I’m not sure where to verify things properly.

Specifically:
  • How do I confirm which firmware versions I’m currently on (base + wheel)?
  • How do I know if the base is now running the full 18 Nm and not still limited to 15?
  • Is there a clear place in the software where this is shown, or a step-by-step way to verify everything is up to date?
I’d really appreciate any guidance from someone who has gone through this.


I have a F1 v2.5 wheel and when connected, it is showing me V2. I try to update the wheel firmware as suggested but it going in circle and now the wheel doesn't work at all. Shows as not connected.
IMG_2717.webp
IMG_2716.webp
IMG_2718.webp
 
Currently, your base firmware is V2.0.0.17 and will be updated to V2.11.0.2, once updated with firmware V2.11.0.2, the base will have 18 Nm of torque.
Currently the firmware of your Fv2.5 is V1.0.1.0 and will be updated to V1.0.8.1
All firmwares are shown in the third picture.
 
The firmware shows as v2 and my wheel is v2.5. Also now the screen says something like this and there is no visible indication of progress, so cannot see how long to wait and if anything is indeed happening.
IMG_2722.webp
 
Last edited:
I tried to connect is via USB a now. It shows this message and I do not know how to understand it. How can I close all Fanatec software if for me to click CONFIRM I need to have this manager open?
IMG_2725.webp
 
Last edited:
Lightpilgrim
I tried to ways: usb-c (base) to windows laptop (both usb-c and usb-a).
Click to expand...
The most succesful way I’ve found is Fanatec factory cable to a very short USB-A female to USB-C male high quality cable plugged to the laptop. Sometimes issue seem to happen where one usb port becomes unable to communicate so try a different one if you can
 
I used the original Fanatec cable. Was able to update the DD extreme, but the v2.5 wheel is not responding. Trying to update the firmware, but it fails all the time.

IMG_2737.webp

IMG_2738.webp
 
The FW shown is from the last app release 1.2.1.3

The app and FW versions don’t have to match so any driver or app will show what’s currently installed - just install one that does what you need to adjust settings and leave FW as is

This shows your setup seems to be working w these versions - have you confirmed that it works OK on PS?

If you want to update further to the latest you can reinstall 1.4.2.3 and try again or just wait and see what the next update brings as many people seem to be experiencing a range of issues

So do you really NEED the new update extra NM? if not just wait

If its just the wheel FW then there’s a bunch of updates to that in driver and app versions before the latest one that you can install - see the changelogs for each - install and just update the WHEEL only - keep the base and QR as is if it works

FWIW I did install the latest updated FW on my DD+ and all went well. Definitely feel the extra NM but also now all my settings will need readjusting as the overall feel is different. Not enough driving yet but the FFB does feel different beyond the extra strength so not sure if I’ll stay w it

But it does seem there is HW variance in batches of DDs so your’s may be different - Fanatec does NOT seem to have enough data on builds to be able to track and predict for this in the code
 
Anyway, just want to say that after around 24 hrs of frustration, installing, uninstalling, reading forums, discord, reditt…I most probably have my wheel back alive. I hope so. Lets see. This was a disaster experience. Never again!
fanatec all updated.webp
 
Hey guys,

Just to update everyone on where I am now with the whole Fanatec firmware nightmare.

I completely removed everything driver by driver, and the only way I managed to even get close to resolving this was through a very specific process someone from the community helped me with.

First:
  • install old driver 4.55
  • update everything

Then:
  • install 4.72
  • update everything again

Then:
  • install the latest Fanatec App and latest drivers
  • update everything once more

At this point, the software shows everything correctly updated and on the latest firmware:
  • Fanatec App 1.4.2.3
  • Base Firmware 2.11.0.2
  • Formula V2 Firmware 1.0.8.1
  • QR Firmware 1.3.0.1

The strange thing is this:

The wheel is clearly connected.
I can press the small tuning/settings button and see things changing on the screen.
The base is correctly in PlayStation mode with the blue light on.
Everything LOOKS correct.

But the wheel itself still does not react properly on PS5.
Buttons do not work.
No input.
Nothing.

See the video:

Before the firmware updates everything worked completely fine.

So honestly, what do you guys think this could still be? What else can I try at this stage?
 
Did the PS recognize the base when you press the PS button?

If not try this - power everything down. Start the PS first w the front panel button, then power on the base

I’ve found starting the base first there is a time out w the ps recognizing the base or security chip and won’t connect after

If that’s not the issue then did you try a different wheel?
 
Last edited:
This behavior is now exactly the same on BOTH wheels:
  • Formula V2.5
  • Formula V3 (which I just received yesterday)

Fanatec support specifically asked me to update the firmware on the new V3 wheel before using it, so I followed the entire process properly.

Now this is what happens consistently:

No matter whether I:
- start PS5 first and then turn on the wheelbase
or
- start the wheelbase first and then PS5

the initial startup sequence looks completely normal.

The wheel rotates normally during startup.
The DD Extreme light changes from red to blue, correctly indicating PlayStation mode.
Everything LOOKS correct.

But then the wheel itself is completely non-responsive.
No PlayStation button.
No regular buttons.
Nothing reacts at all.

The ONLY thing that still works is the small tuning/settings button on the wheel which changes wheel screen settings.

Then I discovered something very strange, and both wheels behave IDENTICALLY.

If I press the mode button on the wheelbase and cycle through all modes/colors:
  • blue
  • greenish
  • violet
  • etc.

eventually it comes back to blue again and suddenly the screen shows:
“no USB connection”

At THAT moment, if I press the PlayStation button on the wheel, everything suddenly starts working normally again.

So right now the workaround is basically:
  • fully cycle wheelbase modes/colors
  • wait for “no USB connection”
  • return to blue PlayStation mode
  • then wheel suddenly works

This honestly makes me think something is definitely wrong with the new firmware initialization or USB handshake process between the wheelbase and PS5.

Has anyone else seen this behavior or found a proper fix?
 
This sounds like a usb handshake issue that Fanatec will have to fix in the FW, likely caused by some different spec’d component having a timing difference in your base, since it will connect after cycling the modes

Mine works fine after installing this update, if I start the PS first and then the base, same as before the update

There must be small variances in the builds of these bases over the past 2 years caused by supply chain issues or different suppliers making component substitutions, and they have not tracked them well enough to compensate which is why we see all these odd problems with releases

Could be wrong, but for now the mode cycling is likely your only workaround
 

Latest Posts

Back