Has anyone had trouble updating firmware on a Mazda 3?

I’m trying to update the firmware on my 2014 Mazda 3. It was on version 28.00.100, so I first went to update to 31.00.100A like I read online. I did the failsafe update, but now I keep getting an error message during the install.

I switched to a smaller and older USB drive since that’s often suggested, but the error doesn’t go away and it won’t retry the installation. I checked the files, and the hashes seem to match. I’m also sure I’m using the correct region.

Does anyone know what might fix this?

Trying to update the firmware on my 2014 Mazda 3. Was on 28.00.100 so first went to update to 31.00.100A as I read online. Did the failsafe, then got this message when doing the install.

I swapped to a smaller, older USB drive because that can be a solution sometimes, but the message doesn’t go away and it doesn’t seem to retry the installation. I’ve checked the files and the hashes seem correct, and I’m using the right region.

Any ideas?

@Rey
Try using a USB 2.0 drive. I’m pretty sure USB 3.0 won’t work unless you have the USB 3.0 hub, which requires v70+ firmware to install first.

Nori said:
@Rey
Try using a USB 2.0 drive. I’m pretty sure USB 3.0 won’t work unless you have the USB 3.0 hub, which requires v70+ firmware to install first.

This actually worked, thank you so much! I found a 64GB USB 2.0 drive, reformatted it to 4GB, and it seems to be working now.

@Rey
There are so many things that could have gone wrong. Which guide did you follow? A lot of the ones out there have bad instructions.

Devan said:
@Rey
There are so many things that could have gone wrong. Which guide did you follow? A lot of the ones out there have bad instructions.

I followed the instructions from this thread: Mazda CONNECT MZD Firmware ,CP/AA, WCP, Help 74.00.324 | 2004 to 2020 Mazda 3 Forum and Mazdaspeed 3 Forums

The one detail that seems to have been missing is that it specifically needs a USB 2.0 drive, not 3.0.

@Rey
Did you get the detailed instructions for doing the update? I’ve done this three times using a USB 3.0 drive without any issues. While USB 2.0 is recommended, I don’t think it’s mandatory.

Devan said:
@Rey
Did you get the detailed instructions for doing the update? I’ve done this three times using a USB 3.0 drive without any issues. While USB 2.0 is recommended, I don’t think it’s mandatory.

Yeah, I had the detailed instructions. USB 3.0 just didn’t work for me. Maybe your car has hardware that supports it, and mine doesn’t.

I’ve only ever managed to do a Gracenote update. As far as I know, only dealerships can update the firmware properly.