Update Pioneer CDJ Nexus Firmware

WHY UPDATE FIRMWARE?

Like with all applications and hardware, it’s important to ensure you have the latest version of software or firmware to ensure you are running the most stable and up to date version. These updates can be a mix of new features as well as stability and issue fixes.  Of course there are instances where upgrading or updating maybe actually cause issues, for example when you are using older hardware, but as a general rule staying up to date is best.  If you still have reservations do some research online to see if others have had problems updating and if there is a roll back option.

Please note this guide is written with the Pioneer CDJ Nexus 2000 mk2’s but the process is applicable to most CDJs in the Pioneer range

UPDATE PIONEER CDJ FIRMWARE

First check the current firmware version by simply turn on the CDJ and the current version will be displayed on the screen.

If the CDJ is already on then you can check by:

• Press [MENU / UTILITY] and hold for over 1 second. Then [UTILITY] screen is displayed.
• Scroll the screen menu using the rotary selector until you see firmware VERSION No. displayed.

DOWNLOAD THE FIRMWARE

Download the firmware update from Pioneer DJ Support web site which lists a selection of hardware available and their updates and check if there is a new version for your hardware.

Unzip the downloaded file that will have a .UPD file extension.

Copy the extracted firmware file to the root directory of a USB stick (must be formatted as Fat32) taking care not to rename the file.

UPDATE THE CDJ FIRMWARE

• Power off your CDJ and make sure no devices are connected (USB, SD Card, LINK, CD, Computer).
• While pressing both “USB” and “RELOOP/EXIT” buttons together, power up the CDJ.

• Once the message [Connect the USB storage device to the USB port] appears on the display release the both buttons.

• Insert the USB memory device containing the firmware files into the USB port.

WHAT HAPPENS NOW

The update process will begin and progress bar will be displayed on the screen, during this time don’t turn the power off. The update will be usually be completed in approx 3-4 minutes and you’ll get the following message [Firmware update is completed. Turn the power off before using.]

Turn the power off and remove the USB memory device after the update has been completed.  All done!

TROUBLESHOOTING

If the progress indicator does not progress during updating the first thing to check is the format of your UBS disk, it must be Fat32 for the CDJ to read the data. Check here for how to format disks on Mac or Windows.

To rule out an issue with the download or unzipping of the file to, delete the files you have and re-download.

If after 10 minutes the CDJ doesn’t start updating or if the message [MAIN firmware update failed], [GUI firmware update failed], [PANEL firmware update failed] or [SERVO DRIVE firmware update failed] appears, contact the Pioneer DJ support centre.