Bricked Eaton 5P 650IR After Firmware Update (03.18.0035) Attempt

C9129 Member

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out to the community for help with an Eaton 5P 650IR UPS unit that seems to be bricked after a firmware update attempt.

Here's what happened: I recently tried to upgrade the firmware on my unit. It was running version 02.08.0016, and I attempted to update it to version 03.18.0035. I was aware of the warning about not upgrading beyond 3.18, and version 03.18.0035 is actually the version running successfully on a second identical unit I have.

Unfortunately, during or immediately after the update process, the unit stopped working.

Current Symptoms:

With just mains power connected, there is absolutely no sign of life.
If the batteries are connected (either with or without mains power), the fans spin up, but nothing appears on the display.
The unit does not boot in any visible way.
It is not detected via USB cable.

What I've tried so far:

Checked the batteries (they were recently replaced ~2-3 months ago, well within their life).
Attempted various power button combinations (like pressing/holding power, enter, or back buttons during power-on, or connecting the cable while pressing a button) to try and force it into a bootloader or recovery mode, but nothing has worked.
I contacted the manufacturer's local support, but they weren't able to provide a solution and suggested it might be a hardware fault, although the failure happened during the update itself.

It's frustrating to have a perfectly fine unit rendered unusable after attempting a standard firmware update.

Has anyone else encountered this specific issue with an Eaton 5P series unit after a firmware update? Are there any known recovery procedures or sequences I might be missing?

I'm comfortable with trying more technical approaches if needed. Does anyone know if it's possible to re-flash the firmware using a low-level interface (like SPI or JTAG) on the controller board? If so, could you potentially provide guidance on where the necessary connection points might be or point me towards any relevant technical documentation or resources?

Any tips, suggestions, or shared experiences would be hugely appreciated!
I also wonder if ups-trader has any service to fix units like these. I saw the "How to un-Brick a SMT range UPS after Firmware flash failure" so I wonder if you also work with EATON.

Thanks in advance for your help!

C9129, 2025-05-02 10:04:20 +01:00

#138

NB-23 Member Warrington

Hi
I've not got experience of this and cant help.
What is the information about not upgrading beyond 03.18?

My honet view is that for a power delivery device, dont apply the normal firmware update mantra. Very little to gain and everything to lose. Sorry for your having had it happen to you.

Anyone know?

Perhaps your post will help someont avoid the same problem.

NB-23, 2025-05-02 10:08:54 +01:00

#139

C9129 likes this.

C9129 Member

Thank you so much for the quick reply.

In their 4.xx firmware manual, they have the warning in the attached image

4627_1746177327_Eaton_setUPS_5P_firmware

4627_1746177327_Eaton_setUPS_5P_firmware

But no warning in their 3.xx firmware manual.

> Perhaps your post will help someont avoid the same problem.
Hopefully yes.

C9129, 2025-05-02 10:17:03 +01:00

#140

NB-23 Member Warrington

I wonder what the problem is with this firmware jump.
Seems crazy that half the UPS out there (those starting with older firmwares) will die because of their rolled out upgrade software. The absolute opposite of what a UPS is for (provide long term stability and reliability!)

NB-23, 2025-05-02 10:25:10 +01:00

#141

C9129 likes this.

C9129 Member

NB-23 Member Warrington

C9129 Member

NB-23 Member Warrington

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