I’m trying to update my 2016 Ford Edge from SYNC 3.3 to 3.4 using CyanLabs Syn3 Updater, but the update process appears stuck. Here’s a full summary of what happened:
I initially created the update USB with Auto-Detect install mode in Syn3 Updater (v2.13.3.0), region Europe, Navigation enabled.
After inserting the USB in the car, it immediately restarted into the CyanLabs/Ford loading screen (Ford and Mustang logo).
The screen came up fine, but the progress bar never moved. Then a message appeared saying "Please insert USB stick" — even though it was already inserted.
The screen stayed stuck like that. The timer kept increasing and background images were changing, but the update never progressed.
I tried restarting the car and doing a SYNC reset (power + fast-forward), but the system kept returning to the frozen loading screen.
The USB stick works fine — I tested it with the official Ford update and it installed properly (just slowly).
To try a fresh start, I re-ran Syn3 Updater and changed the install mode from Auto-Detect to Reformat, downloaded everything again, and will try the update again tomorrow morning.
If this second attempt still freezes, is there any way to force a restart or unfreeze the system without replacing the APIM? Or is a reformat still safe to use again at this point?
Thanks a lot in advance — I’d appreciate any suggestions or similar experiences!
SYNC Region: EU
Navigation Variant: Nav
Manufacturer Year: Pre MY20
Install Type: OEM
Old SYNC Version: 3.3.18351
New SYNC Version: 3.4.23188
Do you have a error message, if so what is it?
Just stuck on a loop and saying to insert my USB while it is inserted
Thanks for your response, i tried it but yet still stuck in the boot screen recovery. maybe it is the USB ports because it suddenly does not read my usb’s anymore which is weird. I bought new ports but they only arrive in two weeks, so will i be stuck on the boot screen recovery screen for the upcoming two weeks?
The USB ports may work but the reformat is running, and thus the APIM has nothing on it. Did you use the reformat file, downloaded from here, on the USB? When you inserted the drive, did the reformat utility see the USB and start the installation?
The first time i used auto-detect and the system directly found it and started downloading however after a long time waiting the bar didnt move at all so still stuck in the beginning, i then went to install the reformat which it then didnt detect and my USB went out after plugging it in and has been stuck on the screwn with the ford logo, mustang etc since the . It still says insert ur usb but even when insert it it doenst read it anymore and keeps saying insert ur usb
We now also disconnected the negative battery, still the screen with the logos. We also drained the battery but again still the screen with the logos..
On the main USB i currently have the FORD update to see if that maybe worked but, i redownloaded Cyanlabs 4x on it and it always had the same data but never worked.
We did everything, we now went to the ford garage and they have also been trying for hours with the laptop and a special cable but its also not working, hes saying it might need a whole new module because it downloads the actual ford stuff but still stays frozen on the mustang logo, ford logo screen…
We used 4 different usb’s and always only one usb cuz the other port is broken. Its now at the garage and they cant fix it either yet and they said we might have to renew the whole module soooo… we will see what happens
Yeah i bought a new USB port thingy and even then didnt work and the garage also tried it but again didnt work, i saw them using their laptop and installing a whole new aimp thingy and it said “successfull” however the screen was still on the ford, mustang logo with “insert ur usb stick”
However yesterday when i tried the recovery screen it said … emmc then it started “working” but then the screen went red with error and saying the one file thats supposed to be in it was mot found however i checked it it was in it and then i redownloaded it and again said it wasnt in the SyncMyRide folder..
However thats the only file thats supposed to be in the SyncMyRide for recovery (which i had but it says it wasn’t) and i then resetted the usb and downloaded it again and then the same error popped up.
So the unit is working, it will progress thru the reformat process if it can find a file.
So, the USB’s are formatted with a PC as EXFAT MBR? MBR is important…
The reformat.lst file is in the root of the USB. This is evident as the reformat process does call the Sync 3.3 app file, as shown. This tells us the USB hub is working properly also.
But, the file cannot be found…this comes down to the procedure.
Ensure that the USB is formatted properly.
Ensure that the SyncMyRide folder is correct, and spelled correctly with the proper letter case.
Ensure that the file shown above is in the folder.
Ensure that the filename matches EXACTLY to the name in the reformat.lst file.
