Most pet feeder firmware update problems come from how and when the update happens, not from updating itself. Makers' own troubleshooting points to weak Wi-Fi and an unstable power supply when updates fail, and even a successful update can change how the feeder behaves. The answer is not to avoid updates forever, since unsupported smart devices can become insecure or stop working. It is to update on a day you are home, then confirm the schedule, portions and offline feeding still work before you rely on the feeder again.
This is general guidance for app-connected automatic feeders. Update steps vary by maker and model, so your feeder's manual and support pages come first. We have not tested specific feeders for this article and we name no product picks.
What a firmware update actually changes
Firmware is the software that runs inside the feeder itself: the part that keeps time, stores the schedule, drives the motor and talks to your Wi-Fi. The app on your phone is separate, and updates to it are a different thing.
A firmware update can bring real improvements: fixes for bugs, better Wi-Fi stability, security patches, sometimes new features. But because it replaces the software that runs the feeding schedule, any update can, in principle, change something you depend on. That is not a reason for alarm. It is a reason to treat an update as a small event you supervise, not a background chore.
Why skipping updates is not the safe answer
After a bad experience, it is tempting to turn updates off and never touch them again. That swaps one risk for another.
In November 2024, the US Federal Trade Commission published a staff study of 184 smart products. Its press release on the study (read September 27, 2026) describes software updates as helping to keep devices protected against security threats and operating properly, and warns that when updates stop, products "may lose their 'smart' functionality, become insecure or stop working."
A feeder sits on your home network. Running old firmware indefinitely leaves known problems unfixed, and a maker may eventually stop supporting old versions in its app. The better approach is controlled updating: you decide when it happens, and you check the result.
Pet feeder firmware update problems: the common failure points
The update will not start or keeps failing
One frustrating problem is simply that the update does not complete. PETLIBRO's support page on firmware updates failing on its Space feeder (read September 27, 2026) points to power supply issues, a weak Wi-Fi connection, and a device that needs a reset. Its suggested steps are:
- Unplug the feeder for five minutes, plug it back in, and try the update again.
- Try a different 5V 2A power adapter and cord to rule out the power supply.
- Move the feeder within 15 feet of the router to improve signal strength.
- As a further step, press and hold the reset button until the feeder confirms the reset and is ready for Wi-Fi connection.
Those numbers are for that model. Check your own feeder's manual for its adapter rating before swapping chargers, because the wrong adapter is its own problem.
Note the order. A factory reset is the last step, not the first, because it usually clears your settings and means pairing the feeder again. Do it only when you are home and have time to set everything back up.
The update finished, but the feeder is offline
An update can end with the feeder restarting and needing to rejoin your network. If it does not come back online, the usual Wi-Fi checks apply: many feeders only connect to 2.4GHz networks, and a weak signal at the feeder's spot can stop it reconnecting. While it is offline, check whether it still dispenses on its stored schedule. A well-designed feeder should, the same test we apply in whether an automatic litter box still works without Wi-Fi.
The update finished, and something changed
This is the problem that causes the most worry, because it is not obvious. After an update, check for changes to:
- Your feeding schedule. Confirm every meal time is still there and correct.
- Portion sizes. Confirm the numbers, and weigh one dispensed portion if you can.
- Notifications. Confirm the alerts you rely on still arrive. Our guide to smart litter box app notifications explains why only a few alerts matter; make sure those survived the update.
- Offline behavior. Confirm it still feeds on schedule without Wi-Fi, if it did before.
If something has changed in a way that affects feeding, fix the setting, and if it will not stay fixed, contact the maker's support with the firmware version shown in the app.
The update was interrupted
A power cut or Wi-Fi drop in the middle of an update is the scenario to avoid. You do not want to find out how your feeder recovers from one at 6 a.m. on the morning you leave for a trip. Updating while the feeder is on stable power and a good signal reduces this risk. If the feeder has battery backup, keep it plugged into mains power for the update anyway. The broader power question is covered in what an automatic litter box does in a power outage, and the logic applies to feeders too.
A safe update routine
This is the routine that stops an update from ever costing your cat a meal:
- Pick the timing. Update on a day you will be home for at least the next two scheduled meals. Never the day before you travel.
- Update right after a meal, so the next one is hours away and you have time to fix anything.
- Write down your settings first. Meal times, portion sizes and alert choices. Take a screenshot of the schedule screen.
- Check power and signal. Plug in to mains power and make sure the feeder has a good Wi-Fi signal where it sits.
- Let it finish. Do not unplug, reset or move the feeder while the update runs.
- Check the result. Open the schedule and compare it with your notes. Confirm the alerts you rely on.
- Watch the next meal in person. Confirm food actually comes out and reaches the bowl.
- Re-test offline feeding once, if your feeder is meant to support it.
If your app lets you turn off automatic updates, choosing to update manually on your own schedule is reasonable, as long as you actually do it. Check for updates on a regular day you are home rather than never.
When to contact the maker, and when to call your vet
Contact the maker's support if an update fails repeatedly after their troubleshooting steps, if the feeder no longer dispenses reliably, or if settings will not stay saved. Give them the model, firmware version and what changed.
The feeder's problem can quickly become your cat's problem. If your cat has missed meals because of a feeder fault and seems unwell, or is not eating normally afterward, contact your veterinarian rather than waiting for the feeder to be fixed. Feed by hand until you trust the feeder again.
FAQ
Why does my pet feeder firmware update keep failing?
Makers point to a weak Wi-Fi signal and an unstable power supply. PETLIBRO, for example, suggests unplugging the feeder for five minutes, trying a different adapter of the correct rating, and moving the feeder closer to the router before resetting.
Should I turn off firmware updates on my pet feeder?
Avoiding updates forever carries its own risk, since the FTC warns unsupported smart products may become insecure or stop working. A better approach is to update manually on a day you are home, then check the schedule and watch the next meal.
Can a firmware update erase my feeding schedule?
It is possible, and a factory reset usually clears settings. Write down your meal times and portions before updating, then compare them afterward.
Will my feeder still feed while it is updating?
Do not count on it. Update right after a meal so the next scheduled one is hours away, and confirm the feeder dispenses correctly at the next mealtime.
What should I do if my feeder stopped working after an update?
Feed your cat by hand first. Then follow the maker's troubleshooting steps, check the schedule and Wi-Fi connection, and contact support with the firmware version. If your cat missed meals and seems unwell, call your veterinarian.