Updating VEX AIR's Firmware – VEX Library

Keeping firmware up to date ensures that your VEX AIR Drone and VEX AIR Drone Controller perform as intended. Your firmware can be updated within VEXcode AIR. This article will walk you through how to update your firmware in VEXcode AIR.

Note: To update firmware, a wired connection with a USB-C cable is needed. To connect to the controller to VEXcode, see this article.

Update the Controller's Firmware

The toolbar at the top of the interface is shown with several icons. The Controller button, represented by a game controller symbol, is highlighted.

Turn on the controller and plug it into your device with the USB-C cable. In VEXcode AIR, select the Controller icon.

The Controller status window shows no controller connected. USB Connection and Console Serial Port are listed as disconnected, and firmware information is unavailable. The Connect via USB button is highlighted.

Select Connect via USB, to connect your controller to VEXcode AIR.

Updating Firmware dialog with orange progress bar and message to keep VEXcode's tab active to avoid firmware update failure.

If the firmware is out of date, an update will begin, and a progress bar will appear. Wait for the progress bar to finish. Do not close VEXcode AIR until the update is completed.

A completion message appears with a red progress bar reading Complete and Please reconnect to your VEX AIR Controller. The OK button is highlighted.

Once the firmware is updated, a prompt will instruct you to reconnect your controller to VEXcode AIR.

Select OK.

Unplug the controller from the USB-C cable and reconnect your controller.

The toolbar at the top of the interface is shown again, with the Controller button highlighted in green to indicate a successful connection.

Reconnect to VEXcode AIR. Now the Controller icon will show green, indicating that the firmware is up to date.

Update the Drone's Firmware

VEX AIR drone controller connected to a VEX AIR drone with a USB cable.

Connect the drone to the controller via a wired connection.

Drone Update Required message on controller screen with Update and Ignore buttons, Update button highlighted.

A prompt will appear on the screen indicating that an update is available. Press Update.

Drone Updating progress bar displayed on controller screen with orange and blue bar indicating update in progress.

A progress bar will appear. Wait for the progress bar to finish. Do not disconnect the drone and controller until the update is completed.

Drone Update Finished message on controller screen with Close button highlighted.

Once the firmware is updated, a prompt will appear to say the update has finished.

Select Close.

You can now disconnect the drone and controller.