New firmware update for the D3200

Bob Blaylock

Senior Member
On a more serious note, I really wish Nikon would distribute these updates as a simple .ZIP file. The self-extracting versions that they distribute are not consistent about where they put the extracted files, and they are only narrowly-compatible with recent versions of Windows or MacOS respectively. If you're running an older version of Windows or MacOS, or even some other OS entirely (such as Linux), then you're out of luck. And too much time is wasted, after running the extractor, trying to find where it put the extracted files.

They could improve it, I suppose, by having the standard putfile dialog come up to let the user choose where to put the extracted files, but still, there simply is no good reason for anything other than a standard .ZIP archive.
 

Yan Lauzon

Senior Member
FWIW
I had the card access for what seemed long with the stock firmware (up to more than 20 seconds on power up or new pictures type of long) and decided to try upgrading it.

It seems it has fixed that problem.
 

emtoloza

New member
i just tried to update my D3200 firmware, and instead of the update progress bar, the screen went black, a flashing green light came on, and now the camera won't turn back on … any fixes?
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.
We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your work.

Please provide more details on how you updated the firmware. Also, you might try turning off the camera, removing the battery for a few minutes, reinstalling battery and turn on camera.
 

emtoloza

New member
Hello! My D3200 had been sitting on the shelf for a long while, as I’ve been using my D5100 most of the time! But I put a fully charged battery into the D3200. Then took a newly-formatted SD card (64 mb SanDisk) and transferred the new firmware .bin file extracted from the .exe file from the Nikon Download Center. Placed the SD card into the D3200. Went to the Setup Menu to the Firmware Update tab. When I said OK to Update, the Update progress bar started. I briefly went to look for the filter size of my lens so that I could order a polarizer, but when I looked at the progress bar again, the screen was completely black, and the green LED was flashing. Thought it was part of the update process, but after several minutes, nothing changed. Turning the switch up top to Off didn’t stop the green LED from flashing. Taking out the battery did. Putting the battery back in and turning the switch back to On just started the green LED flashing again, but still completely black screen. Repeated this, but with removing SD card while camera was off, and still black screen and flashing green LED. Another search result said that “motherboard” may be “bricked” and can’t be fixed. Is this true? Or can I salvage the D3200?
 

mikeee

Senior Member
Did you use the right firmware for the d3200? Guessing it's different than the D5100 firmware.
Is the sd card compatible? (I assume it is if it works in the D5100)

Maybe try this?:

The green LED light on the back which indicates when you have inserted an SD card, or inserted a battery stays on permanently, and the camera has no power.

I read about this online and did what was recommended, which was to remove the battery and the SD cards, then hold the on/off switch all the way over to the left (where the bulb icon is) then release it and let it snap back to off, reinsert the battery, and turn it on. It worked. I have no idea why, but it did, and now the camera is functioning normally.
 

emtoloza

New member
Yes, confirmed correct firmware update. But not sure what you mean hold to left, as the switch doesn’t go beyond the OFF position. Thanks
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Try this.

Not sure if this is relevant to this make/model, but on Canon body, I was able to reset things by doing the following: 1. Switch off, 2. remove battery and card 3. switch on 4. Hold down the shutter for at least 15 seconds 5. switch off 6. re-instal battery and card 7. switch on and keep your fingers crossed.
It worked for me and cleared unusual issues I was having with it.
This was apparently a suggestion from a technician in one of their factories and was not widely known in the public domain. It makes you wonder if this is what they do when people send their cameras in for a repair costing a fortune:confused:


From here, post # 14.

https://nikonites.com/photography-q-and-a/45073-she-dead-jim-post751048.html#post751048
 
Last edited:

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Hello! My D3200 had been sitting on the shelf for a long while, as I’ve been using my D5100 most of the time! But I put a fully charged battery into the D3200. Then took a newly-formatted SD card (64 mb SanDisk) and transferred the new firmware .bin file extracted from the .exe file from the Nikon Download Center. Placed the SD card into the D3200. Went to the Setup Menu to the Firmware Update tab. When I said OK to Update, the Update progress bar started. I briefly went to look for the filter size of my lens so that I could order a polarizer, but when I looked at the progress bar again, the screen was completely black, and the green LED was flashing. Thought it was part of the update process, but after several minutes, nothing changed. Turning the switch up top to Off didn’t stop the green LED from flashing. Taking out the battery did. Putting the battery back in and turning the switch back to On just started the green LED flashing again, but still completely black screen. Repeated this, but with removing SD card while camera was off, and still black screen and flashing green LED. Another search result said that “motherboard” may be “bricked” and can’t be fixed. Is this true? Or can I salvage the D3200?

Did you use the in camera format?
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Try this.

Not sure if this is relevant to this make/model, but on Canon body, I was able to reset things by doing the following: 1. Switch off, 2. remove battery and card 3. switch on 4. Hold down the shutter for at least 15 seconds 5. switch off 6. re-instal battery and card 7. switch on and keep your fingers crossed.
It worked for me and cleared unusual issues I was having with it.
This was apparently a suggestion from a technician in one of their factories and was not widely known in the public domain. It makes you wonder if this is what they do when people send their cameras in for a repair costing a fortune:confused:

From here, post # 14.

https://nikonites.com/photography-q-and-a/45073-she-dead-jim-post751048.html#post751048

I did this with my first D7200 after the shutter button would no longer focus - I took photos during a snow storm, and the button must have gotten a little moisture down inside. Nothing I did could make it work. The body was fine using it in back button focus but not when using the shutter button to both focus and actuate the shutter.

After I did this, the button now works as it should.
 

emtoloza

New member
But in both of your situations, the camera was still functioning, just not the shutter button. My camera is not functioning at all! Not even coming on! Only the flashing green light.
 

emtoloza

New member
Yes, but the only thing that resulted was my fingers being crossed for a very long time! LOL! Still only flashing green light after I put the battery back in. Nothing else shows up in the screen, and cannot take a pic.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Then maybe call Nikon and see if they can give you a ballpark estimate to repair it. Any chance the body is still under warranty?
 

Needa

Senior Member
Challenge Team
Is the green light flashing with or without the card inserted?

As a last effort I would try loading the file on a different card. If you have one something like a 4gb card (sometimes after a failed upgrade the system may not be able to read a large card)
Remove the battery.
Install the card.
Install the battery.
Attempt to turn on.

There is no guarantee that a firmware upgrade will not brick a device. I have destroyed many circuit boards trying to update them on the job. (field unrelated to cameras) Sometimes there is a special boot card or sequence to try to recover but it often failed.

Good luck.
 
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