How to manually roll back to a previous Fanatec firmware

Rolling back to a previous Fanatec firmware version can be challenging since Fanatec does not officially support firmware downgrades. However, if you are experiencing issues with a recent update, you can manually roll back to an older version by following these steps. Please note that this process is at your own risk, as improper execution may cause issues with your device.

Before you begin, you need to obtain the correct version of the firmware and software.

• Visit Fanatec’s official forums and navigate to the Driver Releases section.
• Download the firmware version that you want to roll back to.
• Ensure that you also download the corresponding Fanatec Control Panel version, as mismatched versions may cause issues.
• If you do not find the older firmware on the official site, check if you previously saved an older installer. Some community members may also share archived versions.

To avoid conflicts between different firmware versions, you must remove the current software from your system.

• Open Windows Control Panel > Programs and Features.
• Locate Fanatec Control Panel and any related drivers.
• Uninstall all Fanatec software and restart your PC to ensure a clean removal.

Bootloader mode is necessary to force the wheel base to accept the older firmware. The method varies slightly depending on the Fanatec device model.

• Turn off your Fanatec wheel base.
• Ensure that your device is connected to your PC via USB.
• Enter bootloader mode:
  • CSL DD & GT DD Pro: Hold Power + Funky Switch Press while turning it on.
  • Podium DD1/DD2: Hold Power + Tuning Menu Button while turning it on.
  • Alternatively, for some models, press and hold the power button for 8 seconds while connected.
• Once in bootloader mode, your device may appear as an unrecognized USB device in Windows—this is normal.

Now that your device is in bootloader mode, you can install the firmware.

• Run the older Fanatec driver installer that you downloaded earlier.
• Follow the installation prompts and ensure that the firmware is updated in bootloader mode.
• If the Fanatec Firmware Manager does not automatically detect your device, you may need to manually launch it from the Fanatec Control Panel and retry the update process.

If the Firmware Manager does not properly detect your wheel base or does not allow an automatic rollback, you may need to flash the firmware manually.

• Open the Fanatec Control Panel.
• Navigate to the Firmware Update section.
• Select Flash Firmware Manually and locate the older firmware file (if available).
• Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the flashing process.

After successfully rolling back the firmware, it’s important to recalibrate your Fanatec hardware to ensure proper functionality.

• Open the Fanatec Control Panel and recalibrate your wheel base, pedals, and force feedback settings.
• Load up a game and test the performance. If force feedback or button inputs feel incorrect, try resetting to default settings and adjusting them manually.