FAQ - View by Products

Firmware is used to refer to the program inside the optical drive that is in charge with the operations it can do. Each drive comes with a firmware from the factory and it has a version number that corresponds to a set of capabilities. The maker may choose to offer an updated firmware that can replace the factory one if new features are implemented or bugs have been solved.

Yes, it's good for most functions, but it really depends on what you want to do. If you need to play and rip UHD discs with DVDFab products, certain capabilities need to be available. UHD Tool can inquire the drive and tell you if you need to change the firmware, then it helps you do that.

That is something resulted from LG maker decision to restrict some capabilities in its drives so that DVDFab or similar products cannot use them. Hence, they offered "upgrades" for existing drives and sold new one with the less capable firmware pre-installed, but marketed as "Improved BD UHD disc compatibility". In case of 'friendly' drives, they cannot access UHD discs at all after the so-called upgrade.

Downgrade is strictly related to the firmware version here, going from newer version (higher number) to older. It's not about the features set.

If you follow this guide or the interface of the tool indications you should be fine in most cases. Of course, don't do silly stuff like allowing your laptop to go in Sleep mode or Powering off.

When on battery, make sure you have it charged. And stay nearby for the flashing part, it won't take too long.

If your flashing goes bad, your drive is not working, for some reason, you'll find help in the Troubleshooting section.

If the whole process makes you uncomfortable, start by reading the Troubleshooting section. Then decide if you want to proceed or ask a friend’s help, someone who's a bit more tecky.

If you take the drive out of the USB enclosure, then yes. It's your call.

If your drive is internal, then no. The firmware that you replace with are also official, only better.

UHD Drive Tool tries to match your drive firmware with the best option found on our server. If it cannot find a firmware for the same drive, it will suggest something similar, but then updating to that will mean that you cross-flash. That is considered EXPERIMENTAL, don't do it if you don't want to take chances. It is possible that the cross-flashed firmware does not work as expected with your drive or does not work at all. We create a backup of your original firmware so you can flash back. Contact us if you experimented with cross-flash but ran into troubles.

Do not power off, disconnect the UHD drive or close the UHD Drive Tool while the downgrade process is in progress! Otherwise, it may cause your drive to be screwed and very likely to become a brick.

However, if this does happen! No necessary to panic, either! Before the downgrade process, the UHD Drive Tool shall back up your old firmware first. The later versions of the UHD Drive Tool shall be able to restore your previous firmware back.

Is this case, please try the following:

a). Disconnect, reconnect the UHD drive and then reboot your computer;

b). Manually enable the UHD drive from the Device Manager.