QRDGAME | OFFICIAL FIRMWARE UPDATE INSTRUCTIONS
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QRD FERROX M5 Wireless Controller
Controller Firmware: V1.71
Supported update system: Windows 10 / Windows 11

IMPORTANT: READ THIS FILE BEFORE OPENING THE FIRMWARE PROGRAM.

This guide is for the FERROX M5 CONTROLLER firmware update.
The 2.4GHz USB Dongle has a SEPARATE update tool and firmware (V1.35).
Do not use the controller updater to update the USB Dongle, or vice versa.


1. VERY IMPORTANT - EXTRACT THE UPDATE PACKAGE FIRST
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To help prevent "Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library",
"Debug Assertion Failed", or "filecore.cpp Line 320" errors:

A. If the downloaded package is a ZIP file:
   - Right-click the ZIP and select "Extract All".
   - Open the fully extracted folder, NOT the ZIP preview.

B. If the firmware package contains a SELF-EXTRACTING EXE:
   - Do NOT double-click that self-extracting EXE to launch the updater.
   - Right-click it and open it as an archive with 7-Zip or WinRAR.
   - Extract ALL contents to a new folder, for example:
     Desktop\QRD_FERROX_M5_V1.71\
   - Keep ALL extracted files and subfolders together.

C. Open the extracted folder and locate the actual firmware UPDATE TOOL.
   - Run the updater from inside this folder.
   - Right-click the update tool and select "Run as administrator".
   - Do NOT move only the updater EXE to the Desktop.
   - Do NOT rename, remove, or separate its supporting files.

If the downloaded package already contains an extracted update tool and
its supporting files, use that tool from the folder. Do not attempt to
unpack an ordinary updater EXE that is not a self-extracting archive.

NOTE: An incomplete extraction can cause a C++ / Debug Assertion error.
This is not necessarily a missing Microsoft Visual C++ installation.


2. BEFORE YOU START
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You will need:
- A Windows 10 or Windows 11 computer.
- The QRD FERROX M5 controller.
- A working USB-C DATA cable (preferably the original QRD cable).
- The official FERROX M5 Controller Firmware V1.71 update package.

Before updating:
- Close games and other controller-management applications.
- Disconnect the controller from the PC.
- Set the controller's power switch to OFF.
- Use a direct USB port on the computer when possible.
- Make sure you are using the CONTROLLER updater, not the DONGLE updater.


3. UPDATE THE FERROX M5 CONTROLLER TO V1.71
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STEP 1  Extract the complete firmware package as described in Section 1.

STEP 2  Open the extracted controller firmware update tool on Windows.

STEP 3  Make sure the controller is powered OFF and disconnected.

STEP 4  Press and hold the Y button on the controller.

STEP 5  While holding Y, connect the controller to the PC using the
        USB-C DATA cable.

STEP 6  Wait for the update tool to display "READY".
        Do not start the update before the tool recognizes the device.

STEP 7  Click "Update" in the firmware tool.

STEP 8  Wait until the tool displays "Successful (offline)".

STEP 9  Only after the success message appears, disconnect the
        controller from the USB cable.

IMPORTANT:
- Do NOT disconnect the USB cable while firmware is being written.
- Do NOT close the firmware tool or shut down the PC during the update.
- Do NOT flash the USB Dongle with the controller firmware.
- If "READY" does not appear, do not repeatedly click "Update".


4. IF THE TOOL SHOWS A C++ / DEBUG ASSERTION ERROR
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Possible error messages include:
- Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library
- Debug Assertion Failed
- filecore.cpp Line 320

FIRST, try the following:
1. Close the error window and firmware program.
2. Delete the incomplete extracted folder, if applicable.
3. Extract the original firmware package again using 7-Zip or WinRAR.
4. Keep ALL files in the same extracted folder.
5. Run the actual update tool from that folder as administrator.
6. If necessary, re-download the package from the official QRD website,
   restart Windows, and repeat the extraction.

If the error persists:
- Confirm that the file was downloaded completely and was not quarantined
  or modified by security software.
- Do not download random DLL files or disable antivirus protection to
  force the updater to run.
- If Windows specifically reports a missing Visual C++ runtime component,
  use Microsoft's OFFICIAL Visual C++ Redistributable download page.
  The required x86/x64 package depends on the update program's
  architecture; a 64-bit Windows PC may still run a 32-bit program.
- A "Debug Assertion Failed" error alone does NOT prove that Visual C++
  Redistributable is missing. Complete extraction is the first check.

QRD official C++ error troubleshooting:
https://qrdgame.com/blogs/software/how-to-fix-c-error-when-opening-firmware-file

Microsoft official Visual C++ Redistributable information:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/cpp/windows/latest-supported-vc-redist


5. IF THE UPDATE TOOL DOES NOT SHOW "READY"
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- Check that the controller's power switch is OFF.
- Hold Y BEFORE connecting the USB-C cable to the computer.
- Use a USB cable that supports DATA transfer, not a charge-only cable.
- Try another direct USB port on the Windows PC.
- Close the updater, reconnect the controller, and open the updater again.
- Confirm that you are running the correct FERROX M5 controller tool.
- If the controller is unresponsive after a failed update, use QRD's
  official Update Mode Recovery guide or contact QRD Support.

Do not proceed with flashing until the correct device is detected.


6. AFTER THE CONTROLLER UPDATE
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For best compatibility, update the supplied 2.4GHz USB Dongle separately
to Dongle Firmware V1.35 using its OWN firmware package and instructions.

With the compatible updated firmware installed:
1. Insert the QRD 2.4GHz USB Dongle into a compatible host device.
2. Move the controller's power switch to ON.
3. Allow approximately 3-5 seconds for automatic wireless connection.

Normal initial connection with the updated firmware does not require
pressing the Dongle PAIR button or holding HOME for 2 seconds.

If the controller does not connect, check that BOTH firmware components
were updated correctly and follow the official connection troubleshooting
instructions. Manual re-pairing may be used for recovery if needed.

IMPORTANT: The controller firmware and USB Dongle firmware are separate.
Never use one device's updater or firmware file for the other.


7. OFFICIAL SUPPORT AND FIRMWARE INFORMATION
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Controller Firmware V1.71:
https://qrdgame.com/blogs/software/v1-71-qrd-ferrox-m5-firmware-version-1-71-release

USB Dongle Firmware V1.35:
https://qrdgame.com/blogs/software/v1-35-qrd-ferrox-m5-usb-dongle-firmware-version-1-35-release

FERROX M5 troubleshooting and tutorials:
https://qrdgame.com/blogs/qrd-ferrox-m5-faqs

Support email: support@qrdgame.com

If you still need help, please send QRD Support:
- Your Windows version.
- A screenshot of the exact error message.
- The firmware package name and version.
- Whether the updater displays "READY".
- Whether the problem occurs with the controller or USB Dongle.

QRDGAME Technical Support
www.qrdgame.com
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