How do I troubleshoot USB-installed SYNC^®* software update issues?

When you insert the USB drive in your vehicle to install the SYNC update, it may take up to five minutes for the installation to begin.

During this time, SYNC will not display any messages. If you remove the flash drive before the start of the installation, SYNC will display a memory error message such as mem_003.

If you receive a memory error message, you will need to start the installation again.

1. Remove the flash drive.
2. Perform a master reset. 
   
   Note: A SYNC master reset returns the system to its factory default settings. You will need to pair your phone again and restore any previously selected settings.
    
   1. Press Settings on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
   2. Select General.
   3. Tap the scroll bar or swipe vertically until you see Master Reset.
   4. Press Master Reset. A message confirming that all system settings will be erased and reset to factory defaults will appear.
   5. Select Continue. A Resetting to factory defaults message will appear, the system will turn off and the screen will go blank. It may take a few minutes for the system to reset and resume normal operation. 
3. Perform a key cycle.
   1. Turn the vehicle off.
   2. Open the driver’s door and lock the door.
   3. Close the driver’s door.
   4. Wait two minutes and ensure the radio display turns off completely.
   5. Restart the vehicle.
4. Ensure that the Welcome animation appears.
5. Wait for the Home screen to show. 
6. Insert the USB drive to start the installation. Do not remove the USB drive until the installation is complete.

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, contact your Ford Dealer for assistance.

If you use a USB drive to update your SYNC software, you may receive a Windows Error 0x80004005 message when files are not correctly transferred to the flash drive.

If you see this error, delete the downloaded files and re-download them. If you continue to receive the error after a few attempts, visit your Ford Dealer for assistance.

If you use a USB drive to update your SYNC software, you may see an LST error message if the update was not properly extracted.

You can either use:

• The Unarchiver app to properly extract the files.
• Windows Explorer (File Explorer for Windows 10) to properly extract the files.

If you need additional assistance, contact your Ford Dealer.

If you receive the INSTL installation error when trying to update your SYNC software using a USB, you will need to visit your Ford Dealer to diagnose the concern.

This issue can only be resolved at a dealer.

If you experience issues with voice recognition after performing a SYNC update, follow the troubleshooting tips below:

1. Perform a master reset. Make sure to let the master reset finish completely. 
   
   Note: A SYNC master reset returns the system to its factory default settings. You will need to pair your phone again and restore any previously selected settings. 
    
   1. Press Settings on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
   2. Select General.
   3. Tap the scroll bar or swipe vertically until you see Master Reset.
   4. Press Master Reset. A message confirming that all system settings will be erased and reset to factory defaults will appear.
   5. Select Continue. A Resetting to factory defaults message will appear, the system will turn off and the screen will go blank. It may take a few minutes for the system to reset and resume normal operation. 
2. Ensure that the Welcome animation appears after the reset is done.
3. Perform a key cycle.
   1. Turn the vehicle off.
   2. Open the driver’s door and lock the door.
   3. Close the driver’s door.
   4. Wait two minutes and ensure the radio display turns off completely.
   5. Restart the vehicle.
4. Ensure that the Welcome animation appears.
5. Wait for the Home screen to show.
6. Insert the USB drive and start the update again.

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, contact your Ford Dealer for assistance.

If you receive an Out of Space/Bad Installation File Error when trying to update your SYNC software, follow the troubleshooting tips below:

1. Perform a master reset. Make sure to let the master reset finish. 
   
   Note: A SYNC master reset returns the system to its factory default settings. You will need to pair your phone again and restore any previously selected settings.
    
   1. Press Settings on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
   2. Select General.
   3. Tap the scroll bar or swipe vertically until you see Master Reset.
   4. Press Master Reset. A message confirming that all system settings will be erased and reset to factory defaults will appear.
   5. Select Continue. A "Resetting to factory default" message will appear, the system will turn off and the screen will go blank. It may take a few minutes for the system to reset and resume normal operation.
2. Ensure that the Welcome animation appears after the reset is done.
3. Perform a key cycle.
   1. Turn the vehicle off.
   2. Open the driver’s door and lock the door.
   3. Close the driver’s door.
   4. Wait two minutes and ensure the radio display turns off completely.
   5. Restart the vehicle.
4. Ensure that the Welcome animation appears.
5. Wait for the Home screen to show.
6. Insert the USB drive and start the update again.

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, contact your Ford Dealer for assistance.

If you experience issues with Android Auto after performing a SYNC 3 update, follow the troubleshooting tips below:

1. Perform a master reset. Make sure to let the master reset finish. 
   
   Note: A SYNC master reset returns the system to its factory default settings. You will need to pair your phone again and restore any previously selected settings.
    
   1. Press Settings on your vehicle's SYNC screen.
   2. Select General.
   3. Tap the scroll bar or swipe vertically until you see Master Reset.
   4. Press Master Reset. A message confirming that all system settings will be erased and reset to factory defaults will appear.
   5. Select Continue. A "Resetting to factory default" message will appear, the system will turn off and the screen will go blank. It may take a few minutes for the system to reset and resume normal operation.
2. Ensure that the Welcome animation appears after the reset is done.
3. Perform a key cycle.
   1. Turn the vehicle off.
   2. Open the driver’s door and lock the door.
   3. Close the driver’s door.
   4. Wait two minutes and ensure the radio display turns off completely.
   5. Restart the vehicle.
4. Ensure that the Welcome animation appears.
5. Wait for the Home screen to show.
6. Insert the USB drive and start the update again. 

If the above steps do not resolve the issue, contact your Ford Dealer for assistance.

This error occurs when one or more downloaded files are not completely downloaded or are corrupted. To fix this issue, follow the troubleshooting steps below:

1. Delete all downloaded update files from the USB and from the computer you are using to update SYNC. 
2. Re-download all SYNC update files to your computer.
3. Reformat the USB.
4. Extract the files and move them onto the USB.

Once the files are extracted, you will be able to use the USB to begin the update process again.

If this does not resolve your issue, contact the Ford Customer Relationship Center at 1-800-392-3673 or choose our Live Chat option.

If you do not receive an .xml file and you need to report a successful update, you can connect to a strong Wi-Fi network and manually scan for updates. This causes our servers to review the vehicle's SYNC system and verify if an update is available. 

To scan for updates:

1. Press Settings on your SYNC screen.
2. Select General.
3. Tap Automatic Updates.
4. Touch Scan for Update Now. The update will download in one segment and take approximately 35 minutes.

Once the update is performed via Wi-Fi, our records will update with the new software version that is showing in your vehicle.

Note: It may take a few days for the new version to be reflected on the website.

You can visit a Ford Dealer to assist with reporting a successful update on the website. They may charge a fee for this service because it is not covered by your warranty.

Important: If the website does not reflect your most recent SYNC or navigation update and still shows the older version, this will not prevent you from receiving the next update when it becomes available.

If this does not resolve your issue, contact the Ford Customer Relationship Center at 1-800-392-3673 or choose our Live Chat option.