You can update the firmware of the WH-1000XM5 in order to fix bugs, improve performance and get new features.
If you are having trouble trying to download and install a new software version of the wireless headphones, then you can take a look at this troubleshooting guide at Seeking Tech to see what steps you can take in order to fix your issue.
How to update the firmware for Sony WH-1000XM5
In order to update the firmware for the WH-1000XM5, you need to take the following steps:
1. If you haven’t done so already, download the Sony | Headphones Connect app and then connect your headphones to a compatible smartphone or mobile device.
2. With the headphones connected and the application opened, the firmware should start to download automatically if there is a new update available.
What to do if the Sony WH-1000XM5 firmware update keeps failing
If the firmware update for the WH-1000XM5 keeps failing, then you can try doing the following:
1. If your smartphone or mobile device is connected to another Bluetooth product, then we recommend that you disconnect the other product.
This is because the WH-1000XM5 may not update if there are other products connected using Bluetooth Low Energy. Therefore, you should make sure that the headphones are the only Bluetooth device connected.
2. You should also make sure that you get a strong Bluetooth connection between the headphones and the phone/mobile device.
For the best results, try to move the WH-1000XM5 and the phone/mobile device as close as possible. You should avoid placing any solid objects in between the line of sight. Other wireless devices, such as a Wi-Fi router and other Bluetooth products, may also interfere with the communication.
3. Make sure that both the Sony WH-1000XM5 and phone/mobile device have enough battery life to go through the firmware update process.
4. If your smartphone or mobile device have multiple apps opened, then it may be causing the WH-1000XM5 firmware update to fail due to potential conflicts and/or a lack of free hardware resources.
In this case, we recommend that you close all the apps you have opened with the exception of Sony | Headphones Connect app before starting the update.
5. Furthermore, you may want to consider restarting the phone or mobile devices before attempting to update again.
6. You may want to consider disabling the automatic power off feature of the Sony WH-1000XM5. With this function enabled, the headphones will shut down after 15 minutes of inactivity. Therefore, you risk the wireless headphones turning off during the middle of the firmware update.
You should be able to disable the automatic power off feature in the Sony | Headphones Connect app.
7. Your smartphone or mobile device may also have an automatic power saving mode that may interfere with the firmware update of your WH-1000XM5. So, make sure you disable it.
The power saving mode may also be referred to as rest mode, sleep mode and other names.
If you still can’t update your Sony WH-1000XM5 wireless headphones after trying all of the aforementioned steps, then we recommend contacting Sony for additional support for your problem.