What “Holy Stone HS175 firmware update stuck” usually means
If your Holy Stone HS175 firmware update gets stuck, the drone, controller, or app is usually waiting on a failed transfer, a weak connection, or a compatibility issue.
The good news is that most update freezes are fixable without damaging the drone, as long as you follow the right recovery steps.
The HS175 is a GPS camera drone that depends on stable battery power, a reliable mobile app connection, and correct firmware sequencing.
When one of those pieces fails, the update can hang at a percentage, stop responding, or appear to finish without actually applying the new firmware.
Common reasons the HS175 firmware update freezes
Understanding the cause helps you choose the fastest fix.
In most cases, the problem is not a bad drone, but a setup issue during the update process.
- Low battery power: An update can stall if the drone, remote controller, or phone battery drops too low.
- Unstable app connection: The Holy Stone app may lose communication with the HS175 during transfer.
- Bluetooth or Wi-Fi interference: Nearby networks, routers, and other drones can interrupt the link.
- Corrupted firmware file: A partial download or app error can prevent the update from completing.
- Incorrect update order: Some systems require the drone and controller to be updated in a specific sequence.
- Phone permissions or background restrictions: Battery optimization, location permissions, or app blocking can interrupt the process.
- Outdated app version: An older Holy Stone app version may not correctly support the current firmware package.
First things to check before retrying the update
Before you start over, verify the basics.
These steps solve a large percentage of firmware update failures on consumer drones.
Confirm power levels
Charge the HS175 flight battery fully, the remote controller if applicable, and your phone or tablet.
Firmware updates should never begin on a low battery.
Move to a clean signal environment
Turn off nearby Wi-Fi hotspots, move away from dense wireless traffic, and avoid updating in places with heavy radio interference.
A quiet environment reduces packet loss during transfer.
Use only one device
Disconnect other phones or tablets from the drone connection.
Multiple devices can confuse the app or break the update session.
Update the app first
Install the latest Holy Stone app version from the App Store or Google Play before retrying the firmware update.
App and firmware compatibility often matters more than users expect.
How to recover when the Holy Stone HS175 firmware update is stuck
If the progress bar has frozen or the app is unresponsive, follow a step-by-step recovery process instead of repeatedly tapping buttons.
Repeated interruptions can make the situation worse.
1. Close and restart the app
Force close the Holy Stone app, then reopen it.
If the update screen resumes normally, allow it to continue.
If it returns to the same frozen point, move on to the next step.
2. Power cycle the drone and controller
Turn off the drone, remote controller, and phone connection.
Wait 30 seconds, then restart everything in this order: phone, app, controller, then drone.
This clears temporary communication errors.
3. Reconnect from scratch
Forget the drone connection in your phone’s Wi-Fi or device list if needed, then reconnect manually.
A stale connection profile can keep the app stuck on a failed handshake.
4. Check for an interrupted partial update
Some updates fail silently.
Open the app and check whether it now reports a newer firmware version or asks to retry.
If the version did not change, the update did not complete.
5. Retry with a different phone
If possible, test the update using another compatible iPhone or Android device.
This helps determine whether the issue is with the phone, the app permissions, or the drone itself.
Settings that can block a firmware update on mobile devices
Phone settings often cause hidden update failures.
On iOS and Android, system controls can interrupt the Holy Stone app while the firmware transfer is running.
- Disable battery saver modes: Power-saving features may suspend background network activity.
- Allow location access: Some drone apps require location permission to maintain a stable connection.
- Keep the screen awake: Auto-lock can interrupt a long update process.
- Turn off VPNs: VPN software may interfere with the local drone connection.
- Allow local network access: On iPhone, the app may need permission to access nearby devices.
- Clear app cache if available: On Android, stale cache files can affect update behavior.
What to do if the update freezes at a specific percentage
A stuck percentage often points to where the transfer failed.
Different numbers can suggest different issues.
Stuck at 0% to 10%
This usually indicates a connection or pairing problem.
Re-check Wi-Fi, app permissions, and whether the drone is fully powered and properly linked.
Stuck around 50%
Midway freezes often suggest unstable signal strength or a temporary app crash.
Restart the process from the beginning rather than waiting indefinitely.
Stuck near 90% to 100%
Late-stage stalls can happen when the drone is finalizing and writing firmware.
Leave it alone for several minutes first, since some updates appear frozen while the device is completing internal checks.
How long should an HS175 firmware update take?
Firmware updates should not be instant, but they also should not hang endlessly.
Depending on the file size, app version, and connection quality, a typical update may take several minutes.
If there is no progress, no blinking status change, and no app response for an extended period, treat it as stuck and restart the process carefully.
How to avoid damaging the HS175 during a failed update
A failed firmware update does not automatically mean the drone is bricked.
Still, you should avoid behaviors that can worsen the issue.
- Do not power off repeatedly every few seconds.
- Do not remove the battery while the drone is clearly writing firmware unless the app and support instructions say to do so.
- Do not start another update while the previous one is still partially active.
- Do not use a weak battery or unstable internet setup for retries.
If the app explicitly shows that it is downloading or transferring, let it finish or fail cleanly before restarting.
Interrupting storage writes at the wrong time can create a more complicated recovery situation.
When you may need to contact Holy Stone support
Some update problems require manufacturer help, especially if the drone repeatedly fails on multiple devices and after clean retries.
Contact Holy Stone support if the HS175 update remains stuck after basic troubleshooting or if the app no longer recognizes the drone correctly.
Have these details ready:
- Drone model: Holy Stone HS175
- App name and version
- Phone model and operating system version
- Current firmware version, if visible
- Exact point where the update freezes
- Any error message or status code
Providing precise information speeds up support and helps them determine whether the issue is software-related, connection-related, or tied to a specific firmware build.
Best practices for a successful HS175 firmware update next time
Preventing another freeze is mostly about preparation.
A stable update setup reduces the chance that you will need recovery steps later.
- Fully charge all devices before starting.
- Use the latest Holy Stone app version.
- Update in a quiet wireless environment.
- Keep only one phone connected.
- Disable power-saving and VPN settings.
- Follow the exact update instructions shown in the app.
- Wait for a clear completion message before disconnecting anything.
For owners dealing with a Holy Stone HS175 firmware update stuck issue, the fastest path is usually a clean restart, a stable connection, and a fresh update attempt with the right phone settings in place.
Once the app, drone, and controller are all aligned, the update process is far more likely to complete normally.