Citroen e-C4 won't read USB to update.

[JT99]

I'm not sure if this is the right sub-forum , but anyway I have A Problem.

I have bought a second hand e-c4, 2022.

The map and Navigation firmware are due upgrades. The map needs it as it didn't know about a couple of traffic islands on the way home.

So I bought an expensive genuine Samsung 64GB USB C memory stick (from Samsung)

I pluged it into the PC and downloaded & ran the update exe, it downloaded the files, formatted the USB and put the files onto it.

I power up the car, plug the USB into the Left front port (USB C obviously, I've watched the video), and nothing whatsoever happens, even if I wait until I've re-watched that youtube video on upgrading where it just starts a few seconds after he plugs it in.

Pull it out, turn it over and plug back in - nothing.

I carefully removed the drive from it's case on the off-chance it wasn't plugging in far enough - still nothing either way up.

Plugging it back into the PC it shows as FAT32 24.3GB used with 2 folders- License and SWL, so I'm happy that the upgrade is on the USB.

Turning to the car, I've had the torch & magnifying glass out, and I can't see anything jammed in the USB C socket, or any damaged/discoloured pins.

Plugging my 'phone in with a cable I have had Android Auto work and display my phone on the screen (there were some error messages that I ignored though as it was working), so the socket is at least partly functional

I cannot get any music files recognised in either port (wishful thinking, I know the USB A is charge only for some inexplicable reason, and you can't buy short USB C sticks) either, even when the stick is FAT32. No helpful messages appear like "unrecognised format" just nothing happens, nothing on the display, no bingly bong noises, nothing. (The USB stays greyed out in the input selector)


It didn't come from a Citroen dealer, so there isn't much point taking it back to them, and it is a bit of a trek anyway. It should still have Citroen warranty (the app says it is overdue service, but I have receipts for 12 & 24 month services from Stellantis and the check I ran before buying it came back with RMI mileages at each service interval), but I bet it doesn't include infotainment after the first year.


Any ideas?

Is it as simple as the USB is disabled in a hidden setting somewhere? It charges the phone, and Android Auto did work though.

I entered the VIN number stamped on the strut tower, which is the same as the one visible through the windscreen so the licence should be correct for the car.

Should I try disconnecting the 12V battery to force reset it (I don't have AA at home cover so if I do I'd best do it on Tesco's car park in case the whole thing falls over)

[JT99]

Answering my own post, in case it helps someone else.

1) Pulled the 12V battery lead and waited 5 mins before reconnection- no difference.
2) Rebooted the NAV unit (hold 'phone button on wheel down for 10 seconds and release)- no difference

What did work is spending out on a selection of 32GB USB-C thumbdrives. A 32GB HP "Dual drive" the one where the thumbdrive is USB-A and plugged into a HP adapter to convert to USB-C was readable and played MP3 files straight away, so I put the NAV update and the map update onto it (using a Win 10 PC for good measure!) and it updated.

It takes the best part of an hour and you are convinced that the map update has crashed as there is no progress indicator and the screen appears frozen, but it eventually pops up with "maps installed" or something.

The car tried to switch itself off too despite sitting in the driver's seat, seatbelt on (take a book to read, you have an hour....)


Summary: the NAV unit is very picky about the thumbdrives that it will read, Samsung & Sandisk did not work at all.