Get Started with VEXcode V5 Firmware – VEX Library

Many VEX V5 products contain their own internal processors and run on a special Operating System. This software is the VEX V5 Firmware and is called VEXos.

Note: VEXcode V5 can only update the firmware on the V5 Brain when connected to a device via a USB cable. VEXcode V5 does not support updating the firmware on the V5 Brain when using an iPad, Android, or Fire tablet.

What is Firmware?

Firmware is a specific type of software that provides low-level control for a device's specific hardware. This firmware is written entirely by VEX Robotics and harnesses the flexibility and power of VEX hardware, serving both the diverse needs of education and the rigors of competition.

The V5 Brain will automatically push out the latest updates to any V5 device that is connected to it.

Why Should I Update?

There are several reasons why you should update your VEX V5 Brain’s firmware with the latest VEXos, some of these include:

Each update of VEXcode V5 will require the latest version of the VEXos firmware installed on the brain before user programs can be downloaded.
VEXos updates will include fixes for known bugs and add the software which is needed to operate any new devices introduced into the VEX V5 line.
Updates allow for advanced programming features.
The best way to ensure that your VEX V5 system is functioning properly is to keep the software up to date.
To access the Battery Medic for the V5 Battery.

View this page for the latest version of VEXos.

How to Update Firmware in App-based VEXcode V5

V5 Robot Brain is shown powered on and it has wired connections to a V5 Robot Battery and a laptop computer.

Make sure the Brain is properly wired to your computer and powered on.

Once the Brain is connected, launch VEXcode V5.

Note: if you do not have VEXcode V5 downloaded, visit this page to download it.

VEXcode V5 with an orange Brain icon on the Toolbar, indicating that the Brain's firmware is out of date. The Brain dropdown menu is open and the Firmware status reads Out of Date.

If the Brain icon color on the VEXcode V5 menu bar is orange, you will need to update your firmware. You can update the Brain in VEXcode V5 by selecting the ‘Out Of Date’ button.

VEXcode V5 Updating prompt with a progress bar and a message that reads Please wait! Updating, do not unplug or turn off the Brain.

Wait while the firmware updates.

VEXcode V5 Firmware Downloaded prompt with a message that reads Firmware downloaded to V5. Turn Brain off, then on to complete firmware update. There is an OK button below.

Once completed, select ‘OK’ and power the V5 Brain off and then back on, known as power cycling.

VEXcode V5 with a green Brain icon on the Toolbar, indicating that the Brain's firmware is up to date. The Brain dropdown menu is open and the Firmware status reads Up to Date.

Once your firmware has been updated, the Brain icon will turn green, and the ‘Up to Date’ prompt will appear.

How to Update Firmware in Web-based VEXcode V5

V5 Robot Brain is shown powered on and it has wired connections to a V5 Robot Battery and a laptop computer.

Make sure the Brain is properly wired to your computer and powered on.

Once the Brain is connected, launch Web-based VEXcode V5.

VEXcode V5 Out of Date Firmware prompt with a message that reads Your VEX V5 Brain's firmware is out of date and needs to be updated. Do you want to update now? There are two buttons below, one reads No and the other reads Update.

After connecting the brain to Web-browser VEXcode V5(visit the Connecting to the Brain section for more information). If the Brain's firmware is out of date, you will receive a prompt and the Brain icon will turn orange in the Toolbar.
You can update the Brain's firmware in VEXcode V5 by selecting the ‘Update’ button. Or by opening the Brain Icon in the toolbar and selecting 'Update'.

VEXcode V5 Updating Firmware prompt with a progress bar and a message that reads Updating Firmware.

Wait while the firmware updates.

VEXcode V5 Firmware Updated prompt with a message that reads Update Complete, Please restart your V5 Brain and reconnect to VEXcode V5. There is an OK button below.

The update will complete, then you will need to restart and reconnect your Brain (see the Connecting to the Brain section for help connecting).

VEXcode V5 with a green Brain icon on the Toolbar to indicate that the Brain's firmware is up to date. The Brain dropdown menu is open and the VEXos version is shown without an Update button next to it.

Once your firmware has been updated and you have reconnected, the Brain icon will turn green.