Updating Firmware on FJ80 SpeedlightsUpdated a month ago
Westcott lighting gear, your strobes and triggers, sometimes receive firmware updates to improve performance, add new features, and ensure compatibility with newer camera systems. Keeping everything updated is often the key to getting the best results.
Quick Links
Important Instructions Before Updating
- Use the Correct USB Cable: Always use the USB-A to USB-C cable included with your strobe and trigger for firmware updates. Using other connectors may result in error messages.
- Check Firmware Compatibility: Ensure you are loading the correct firmware version for your specific FJ system product. Using incorrect firmware can lead to errors.
- Troubleshooting Errors: If the latest firmware update causes malfunctions, try the following steps:
- Re-download the firmware from the Westcott website.
- Re-upload the firmware to your FJ unit.
- If issues persist, contact Westcott customer service at [email protected]
How do I Check Firmware Version on Westcott Gear
Firmware version numbers are found in the lower right corner of the gear’s opening screens when you power the units on.
How do I check for Westcott firmware updates?
Visit our Firmware Page to find the most recent firmware updates for your Westcott strobes, speed lights and triggers. Double-check that every piece of gear is up to date to keep everything working together perfectly.
Make sure that you are installing the right firmware (.bin file) to the matching piece of gear. If you accidentally copy the wrong file into a device, typically, installing the proper firmware will correct any issues.
Can I roll back my FJ firmware?
Yes, you can roll back your firmware. Westcott provides the prior version of the firmware on the firmware page. Also, if you save your firmware updates to your computer, you can roll back to any version you have on file. Additionally, you can contact [email protected] and request a previous version of the firmware.
Will Firmware Versions Across Different Gear Match?
No, firmware updates and versions will most likely not match. It is expected and normal for a trigger to have a different firmware version than a strobe and the strobe to be different from a speedlight. Firmware releases can be for an individual piece of gear. Major updates may involve firmware releases for several pieces of gear at the same time.
Do I need to update all my gear at the same time?
Yes, when visiting our Firmware Page you should check the latest versions available for all your Westcott Gear. Often updates involve multiple pieces of gear. Using older firmware on a strobe, combined with the new firmware on a trigger may result in less than optimum performance.
Best Practices for Handling Camera Firmware Updates
Camera companies often have firmware updates as well. Westcott recommends that you delay any except those camera firmware updates labeled “critical” for a few weeks. This will give Westcott engineers an opportunity to provide updates should the camera’s update conflict with your current FJ firmware. Most camera firmware does not offer a rollback option. Once you install that camera firmware you will be unable to return to your earlier functioning version.
FJ80 II M & FJ80 II S
Step by Step Instructions
- Download the latest firmware ZIP file.
- Unzip the file and open the extracted folder. (Note: Various browsers may automatically unzip the ZIP file.)
IMPORTANT: Read ALL FILES located in the extracted folder (i.e. README, Changelog). - Ensure the FJ80 II is OFF and cooled before installing the firmware.
- Remove the FJ80 II battery.
- Connect the USB-A to USB-C cable to the FJ80 II’s USB-C port.
- Common operating systems will present the strobe as an external drive device.
(Note: MacOS may display the external device on the desktop or in the Finder window.) - Locate the .BIN file on your computer and drag the file to the FJ80 II (external device). Do not attempt to open the file directly.
- (Note: The file ending in .BIN will be the ONLY file copied to the FJ80 II.)
- Once the file has been completely copied to the FJ80 II, EJECT the FJ80 II from the computer. Remove the USB-C cable from the FJ80 II and reattach the battery.
- Long press the Power | Test button on the FJ80 II, tap the blue power logo on the screen to initiate the firmware update.
- Finally, confirm installation was successful by locating the firmware text in the bottom right corner of the opening screen during the start-up process.
IMPORTANT
- If the FJ80 II doesn’t display as an external device after being connected to the computer, disconnect the USB cable from both devices, restart the computer, and restart the firmware installation process.
- It’s recommended that the firmware update installation process be completed only when the connected computer’s power level is ≥ 50%. Loss of power of any type during this process could render the FJ80 II inoperable and require professional repair.
- Removing the USB-A to USB-C cable from the FJ80 II without properly ejecting the FJ80 II from your computer could render the speedlight inoperable and require professional repair.
- Depending on the operating system and the applications running, copying the firmware from your computer to the FJ80 II may take a few minutes and/or halt the copying process. Should this happen, close the copy progress window and try again. Further copying issues may require the computer to be restarted.
FJ80 SE M & FJ80 SE S
Step by Step Instructions
- Download the latest firmware ZIP file.
- Unzip the file and open the extracted folder. (Note: Various browsers may automatically unzip the ZIP file.)
IMPORTANT: Read ALL FILES located in the extracted folder (i.e. README, Changelog). - Ensure the FJ80-SE is OFF and cooled before installing the firmware.
- Remove the FJ80-SE battery.
- Connect the USB-A to USB-C cable to the FJ80-SE’s USB-C port.
- Common operating systems will present the strobe as an external drive device.
(Note: MacOS may display the external device on the desktop or in the Finder window.) - Locate the .BIN file on your computer and drag the file to the FJ80-SE (external device).
(Note: The file ending in .BIN will be the ONLY file copied to the FJ80-SE.) - Once the file has been completely copied to the FJ80-SE, EJECT the FJ80-SE from the computer.
- Remove the USB-C cable from the FJ80-SE and reinsert the battery.
- Slide up the Power button on the FJ80-SE to initiate the firmware update.
- Finally, confirm installation was successful by locating the firmware text in the bottom right corner of the opening screen during the start-up process.
IMPORTANT
- If the FJ80-SE doesn’t display as an external device after being connected to the computer, disconnect the USB cable from both devices, restart the computer, and restart the firmware installation process.
- It’s recommended that the firmware update installation process be completed only when the connected computer’s power level is ≥ 50%. Loss of power of any type during this process could render the FJ80-SE inoperable and require professional repair.
- Removing the USB-A to USB-C cable from the FJ80-SE without properly ejecting the FJ80-SE from your computer could render the speedlight inoperable and require professional repair.
- Depending on the operating system and the applications running, copying the firmware from your computer to the FJ80-SE may take a few minutes and/or halt the copying process. Should this happen, close the copy progress window and try again. Further copying issues may require the computer to be restarted.
FJ80
Step by Step Instructions
- Download the latest firmware ZIP file
- Unzip the file and open the extracted folder. (Note: Various browsers may automatically unzip the ZIP file.)
IMPORTANT: Read ALL FILES located in the extracted folder (i.e. README, Changelog). - Ensure the FJ80 is OFF and cooled before installing the firmware.
- Connect the USB-A to USB-C cable to the FJ80’s USB-C port.
- Common operating systems will present the strobe as an external drive device
(Note: MacOS may display the external device on the desktop or in the Finder window.) - Locate the .BIN file on your computer and drag the file to the FJ80 (external device).
(Note: The file ending in .BIN will be the ONLY file copied to the FJ80.) - Once the file has been completely copied to the FJ80, EJECT the FJ80 from the computer.
- Remove the USB-C cable from the FJ80 and reattach the battery.
- Long press the Power | Test button on the FJ80, tap the blue power logo on the screen to initiate the firmware update.
- Finally, confirm installation was successful by locating the firmware text in the bottom right corner of the opening screen during the start-up process.
IMPORTANT
- If the FJ80 doesn’t display as an external device after being connected to the computer, disconnect the USB cable from both devices, restart the computer, and restart the firmware installation process.
- It’s recommended that the firmware update installation process be completed only when the connected computer’s power level is ≥ 50%. Loss of power of any type during this process could render the FJ80 inoperable and require professional repair.
- Removing the USB-A to USB-C cable from the FJ80 without properly ejecting the FJ80 from your computer could render the speedlight inoperable and require professional repair.
- Depending on the operating system and the applications running, copying the firmware from your computer to the FJ80 may take a few minutes and/or halt the copying process. Should this happen, close the copy progress window and try again. Further copying issues may require the computer to be restarted.