question

I found that when I switched the Multiplus of (step 1) and on again while connected to the MK3 the unit doesn’t turn on and there is no connection at all. LED’s remain off as well.

That is totally normal at this point just click "next"

In the old forum on the Victron site for professionals I found a similar issue and the proposed solution was to use another computer.

Sounds weird but I will try….
Did notice that on my current laptop I needed to install the driver manually and on another the driver installed automatically.

Still on the laptop that has the issue with connecting in the upgrade process, the configure program works flawlessly

Multiplus state is on, connected via VE bus to color control and on mains 230V

Disconnect Colorcontrol

Set Multiplus DP1 from on to off and DP2 from off to on

Switch DP8 on and off to store settings

Connect Multiplus VE bus to MK3-USB and laptop

Start VEConfigure 3 and read settings (OK)

Click OK at notification: there are currently no assistants in the device

Close VEConfigure 3

Start VEFlash (it’s running at the latest version)

Click StartSelect update firmware and click next

Read warning and click next

Select new firmware file and click next

Remove the AC input (and DS1=off / DS2=on)

Click next

Click autodetect port (is selects com4 like during VEConfigure)

Click next

Switch off device, disconnect mains (was already the case) and connect the communication cable (was connected so disconnect and connect again)

Click next and then switch on device

Click next - trying to connect - error connecting. Please try again.

Clicking next won’t work now. Click ok at error.

Steps repeat, error again. Device does not switch on.

As it doesn’t work, repeated all steps with disconnected MK3-USB up till the moment the device d=needed to be switched off. Then connected MK3-USB and switched the device on. Again same error.

Repeated the whole process with a completely different laptop

Same result. After switching of the device, connecting it via VE bus to MK3-USB and then laptop I switch on the device. Nothing happens. Device does not switch on and no connection possible.

Tried auto detecting com port and got an error: Cannot find the correct com port. Please make sure an MK3 is connected and power is applied to the device.

Repeated the process again but left the device on instead of switching off and then on again. Autodetect sees the device at com 4. At step 1 I don’t turn the device off and click next. At step 2 I don’t need to turn on and click next.

“Error connecting. Please try again!”

Repeated the whole (first) process on the other VE bus of the Multiplus.

Exact same result.

Rolled back the system (DP1=on DP2=off)

The setting in the color control was “on”

Switched the device off in the color control

Disconnected from color control

Repeated the process; same error

Also tried moving forward with AC connected; same error

Conclusion; I believe I have done everything possible (even waiting for the device to come on) but the issue is simple; if the (updated) MK3-USB is connected to the VE bus and laptop, the Multiplus refuses to power on and proceed with the firmware upgrade

Gave it another try. Using different cables. Switching ports on the Multiplus. Switching USB ports. Using VConfigure first to start with factory default settings. All resulting in the same error;

When the VEFlash app says to turn off the Multiplus and in the next step need to power on, the Multiplus does nothing while connected to the MK3-USB.
And even if I don’t power off and on but leave it on it’s loses connection with the MK3-USB at step 2.

Thus, being stuck with firmware 413 I will return the MK3-USB and the VE smart dongle to the shop.

Still wanting to upgrade I borrowed another MK3-USB but regretfully the connection problem remains.

Disconnected the AC in and AC out from the bottom of the Multiplus just to be sure, but this didn’t help either. Nor did applying a newer firmware file.

Contacted the distributor but no reaction.

Asabootelectro.nl did respond (thanks for that, appreciated!!) but still couldn’t manage to upgrade. They offered to look at the system but in that case I have to remove it from the installation so that will be a task for after the summer.

Unless….. someone has a bright idea what could cause the issue…. Feedback welcome!!!

To anyone reading this: I had exactly the same error as the OP when trying to update my Multiplus Compact 12/2000/80-30 from firmware 2608430 to 2608485 using VEFlash. I was able to apply the update by installing and using VictronConnect instead (looks like VEFlash is being deprecated).

Yet another try as I read the thread form another user who had success by waiting for 45 minutes between step 1 and 2.

So I followed the process, switched the Multiplus off and left it that way for 50 minutes. This time the unit actually switched on with the MK3-USB connected so I pressed next and……. “Error connecting…..”

Starting to hate my Victron Multiplus

Hello did you get any solution ?

I have the same problem ...