Tesla’s software is updated frequently to meet the needs of its owners, including vehicle features, safety, and bug fixes. Just as cell phones often receive updates, Tesla updates even more frequently than the iPhone.

Sometimes, some owners have already upgraded to a new version of the software, while some vehicles are late in receiving the update. In this article, we have compiled a list of frequently asked questions about downloading and installing Tesla OTA updates.

Tesla’s latest OTA update tutorials

How to download software updates?

Tesla performs software updates via OTA (Over-The-Air). This method allows Tesla to quickly and continuously add and improve existing features. When a new software version is pushed, a yellow download icon appears in the upper right corner of the touchscreen. Simply connect your vehicle to a Wi-Fi wireless network or cell phone hotspot to begin downloading the update.

How do I install a software update?

When the software update has finished downloading, a yellow alarm icon will appear in the upper right corner of the touch screen. Tap the icon to select either Update Now or Schedule Update. Tap Update Now and a 2-minute countdown will appear on the touchscreen. During this time, you can cancel the update via the touchscreen or the Tesla App. When the countdown is complete, the update will begin to install.

Why is my Tesla not receiving software updates?

Each time an update is released, the Tesla server delivers the update to the vehicle in a “wave push.” Tesla sends out the update in waves, and there may be a few days between each vehicle, so some vehicles may receive the update first, while others may receive it later.

*Only 30% of vehicles may receive the update during the first week of release /
Image courtesy of Not a Tesla App

Not all updates are available for all vehicles. Vehicles with older hardware versions may not be able to use some of the updates because some of the new features require new hardware support. For example, the automatic trunk opening feature requires the vehicle to be UWB-enabled, and the adaptive high beams require the vehicle to be equipped with matrix headlamps.

How to get the latest software updates faster?

As a result, it has been a mystery to Tesla owners how to get the latest software updates faster. Tesla advises owners to always keep their vehicles connected to the Internet, and to be an early adopter of released software updates by clicking Control > Software on the touchscreen and selecting Advanced in the Software Updates preference setting.

Can I download updates without Wi-Fi?

For important software updates, such as security recall updates via OTA (Over-The-Air), Tesla actually has the ability to receive and download updates via mobile data, even without a Wi-Fi connection, to ensure that the vehicle receives the latest security updates.

Typically, Tesla software updates require a Wi-Fi connection to begin downloading. Since parking lots often don’t have their own wireless network, many vehicle owners utilize cell phone hotspots as a convenient and fast alternative. Simply enable the phone’s network sharing feature, and the vehicle can download the required software updates over the phone’s mobile network.

What is the software update? Don’t feel anything after the update?

Once the software update is complete, you can display the current update on your touch screen as well, and you can also find the release notes at the bottom of the home page in the Tesla App. Different vehicles and regions will receive different software versions. While some updates may not have significant changes, these fixes may involve performance improvements, security enhancements or other minor adjustments.

The annual Christmas holiday update, or more recently the spring update, contains many improvements and new features. For example, the immersive visual update, full-screen road conditions display, and more, the update covers a wide range of driving, navigation, and audio/video entertainment features.

Can I use my vehicle during software updates?

No, during the software update process, the vehicle will not be drivable and the touch screen will not work. As a rule of thumb, you can choose a time when you have more time to do the update, such as when you are going to a department store, or when you expect to be parked for more than half an hour, or you can set up a schedule so that the vehicle will do the software update in the middle of the night. Please note:

• Do not update on roadways (on-street parking, stopping for red lights)
• Please update in a more spacious area (to facilitate rescue if the update fails)
• Charge and Sentinel Mode will be suspended during update (automatically restored after update)
• Doors and luggage compartments may not be available (for a period of time during the update process).

Can I update my Tesla when it’s charging?

If the charging gun has been inserted before the update, the vehicle will stop charging during the update process and will automatically resume charging once the update is complete. As the software update may take a long time, it is not possible to update the software during the supercharging process (the charging gun needs to be unplugged first), but please do not occupy the supercharging space for the update.

Why does the Tesla update get stuck halfway through the download?

Tesla software updates often get stuck around 50% of the way through the download, at which point the download rate is displayed as 0 kB/s, and you often have to wait 30 minutes or even an hour for the download to resume. Although there is no official explanation for this situation, the reason why the update download stops at 50% may be because the system is validating the update content, and the download will continue only after the file has been validated.

Will a restart allow the software update to resume downloading?

Some people on the internet say that “restarting the touch screen” will allow the software to resume the download. When the software is stuck at 50%, restarting the touch screen will indeed resume the download, but it will restart from 0%, and it will still be stuck again when the download reaches 50%. Therefore, restarting this method is definitely not effective.

Restarting the touch screen doesn’t solve the problem of stuck software update downloads.

If the software update download is stuck for a long time (currently 30 minutes to an hour is considered normal) or if the download completes and the update starts but is delayed, it is recommended to call the customer service line for assistance in checking the vehicle and restructuring the status of the software update.

Will the Tesla continue to charge when the software is updated?

Based on field tests tracking the vehicle’s charging status during a software update via TezLab, charging was interrupted halfway through the software update. For example, during a 30-minute update to version 2022.20.7, charging was interrupted at 20:06 and resumed at 20:18, with an interruption of about 12 minutes.

Therefore, it is perfectly fine to update the software while the vehicle is connected to a power source. Charging resumes automatically when the update is about to complete, and Sentinel Mode is automatically turned back on when the update is complete.

However, it should be noted that some public charging stations need to be authorized through the App or swipe the card in order to start charging. If the charging is interrupted by the software update, you may need to plug in the charging gun again or swipe the card again to start charging after the update is completed.
The above are the FAQs for downloading and installing the Tesla software update, if you need more detailed information, please check the official Tesla instructions. Tesla

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