Firmware and backups
What a firmware update on the Helix Stadium Floor actually changes, what it leaves alone, and the backup that means none of it can cost you anything.
The device updates itself
No computer in the normal case. The Stadium has Wi-Fi and Ethernet, and Line 6's recommended route is to update straight from the unit — Main Menu, then Downloads, or from the Concierge screen.
It backs up to a card, not to a computer
A full backup goes to the microSD card in the back panel, which shipped with the unit — 32 GB, pre-formatted, already inserted, behind a screwed-on cover. One file holds every user preset, setlist, song with its audio, Clone, and setting.
Factory presets are not in the backup
And they do not need to be — a restore leaves them alone, because they live in their own folder. The only two things that touch them are a factory reset and a firmware update.
It will restart several times
During an install the unit reboots itself more than once. That is normal and not a failed update.
The part that makes everything else safe
Everything happens on the unit, on the Maintenance screen. A backup captures all user presets, setlists, songs and their audio files, Clones, settings — every piece of user data in internal memory — into one file on the card, named with the date it was made.
- 1
Check the card is in
It ships inserted, under a cover held on with a screw. If you have taken it out, put it back before you start.
- 2
Maintenance > Create Backup
Confirm the prompt and wait. Do not touch a control and do not power the unit off while it runs. You can keep several backups on one card; the newest sorts to the top of the restore list.
- 3
Eject before you pull the card
Use the Eject microSD Card button and wait for the unmounted dialog before pushing the card out. Formatting the card, incidentally, erases every backup on it permanently.
Doing the update
Over the network is the recommended route and needs nothing but the unit itself. The USB route exists for when that is not available.
- 1
Over Wi-Fi or Ethernet, from the unit
Main Menu > Downloads, or the Concierge screen, will find and install what is available. This is the route Line 6 recommend.
- 2
Over USB, if the network route is not available
Turn the unit's Wi-Fi OFF first, connect USB-C to the computer, open the Helix Stadium application, and sign in to your Line 6 account — you cannot see available firmware while logged out. Connect to the USB device, then Update Firmware.
- 3
Set the computer up so it cannot interrupt
Turn off the screensaver and any sleep settings, plug a laptop into power, and on a desktop use a rear-panel USB port next to the power connector rather than a front or hub port. Then do not disconnect, power off or disturb anything until it finishes.
- 4
USB is for updates only
A USB connection to the Stadium app supports firmware updates and nothing else. Editing presets from the app needs the app and the device on the same local network.
A restore overwrites everything you have now
Restoring permanently replaces your current user presets, setlists, IRs, playlists, templates, favourites, account data and global settings with whatever is in the backup file. If there is anything on the unit you have not backed up, back up before you restore.
Factory reset is not the same as restoring
Restore Factory Defaults permanently deletes all user-created data and returns every setting to factory. The Maintenance screen also lets you clear individual data types with checkboxes, which is the gentler option when you only want one thing gone.
The card can fill up
The included card holds several backups, but it is finite. When it is full you will be told; delete old backups from the Maintenance screen or use another formatted card rather than skipping the backup.