ZenFone 9 not updating

[CeilingCatSeesU]

Hi,

I recently brought a second hand (Opened but new) ZenFone 9 as I like its small form factor. I'm trying to do a system update but it always fails. The current build number is WW-33.0804.2060.59 and I'm trying to update to WW-34.0304.2004.145 which is currently the latest on the support page.

The system update menu can't see any new updates for the phone, currently on Android 13 - Security Update 5 December 2022. My old ZenFone 8 which is on Android 13 - Security Update 1 November 2023. I have tried registering the device on my Asus account but the serial number isn't recognized. So I'm concerned that I might have brought a tampered phone since it will not allow any updates and not recognizing the serial during registration.

Have verified that the zip file sha-256 hash matches what is mentioned on the support page, also tried multiple Factory Resets via the bootloader. I've turned on logging and this is the error that was logged when not being able to install the update:

[1128/200457.917868] [INFO:install_plan.cc(80)] InstallPlan:
type: new_update
version:
source_slot: A
target_slot: B
initial url: file:///storage/emulated/0/UL-ASUS_AI2202-ASUS-34.0304.2004.145-1.1.1-2407-user.zip
hash_checks_mandatory: true
powerwash_required: false
switch_slot_on_reboot: true
run_post_install: true
is_rollback: false
rollback_data_save_requested: false
write_verity: true
Payload: 0
urls: ()
size: 3593113715
metadata_size: 238720
metadata_signature:
hash: E46374CC284279C71D1DFB053FAC150AD169D38CA0B42EA795D40FF1109D37E9
type: unknown
fingerprint:
app_id:
already_applied: false
[1128/200458.046933] [INFO:delta_performer.cc(774)] +++ AsusVersionCheck +++
[1128/200458.047937] [INFO:delta_performer.cc(435)] AsusAndroidVersionCheck: don't skip version check since the ro.build.id: TKQ1.220807.001 is older than specified android version: UKQ1.230924.001
[1128/200458.048867] [INFO:delta_performer.cc(504)] AsusVersionCheck rule 1 - condition check: current condition num = 0, max_condition_num = -1, skip = 0
[1128/200458.049814] [INFO:delta_performer.cc(480)] AsusPropertyCheck: property name = ro.build.date.utc, op = 1, expected value = 1703846850, device value = 1669313331, result = 1
[1128/200458.050739] [INFO:delta_performer.cc(517)] AsusVersionCheck rule 1 - assert result = 64
[1128/200458.051771] [ERROR:download_action.cc(227)] Error ErrorCode::kDeviceVersionError (64) in DeltaPerformer's Write method when processing the received payload -- Terminating processing
[1128/200458.053119] [INFO:delta_performer.cc(225)] Discarding 238987 unused downloaded bytes
[1128/200458.059735] [INFO:multi_range_http_fetcher.cc(177)] Received transfer terminated.
[1128/200458.061016] [INFO:multi_range_http_fetcher.cc(129)] TransferEnded w/ code 200
[1128/200458.061997] [INFO:multi_range_http_fetcher.cc(131)] Terminating.
[1128/200458.063122] [INFO:action_processor.cc(116)] ActionProcessor: finished DownloadAction with code ErrorCode::kDeviceVersionError
[1128/200458.064226] [INFO:action_processor.cc(121)] ActionProcessor: Aborting processing due to failure.
[1128/200458.065167] [INFO:update_attempter_android.cc(565)] Processing Done.
[1128/200458.068288] [ERROR:snapshot.cpp(2875)] Read state file failed: No such file or directory
[1128/200458.069421] [INFO:metrics_reporter_android.cc(159)] Current update attempt downloads 0 bytes data

Any help would be great, sticking to my old ZenFone 8 until I get this sorted.

Thanks

[avalynn1133]

It looks like your phone is not accepting the update because the system version on it does not match what ASUS expects.
This can happen if:

• The phone was flashed with the wrong region firmware, or
• It was tampered before you bought it, or
• The serial is blocked / not registered.

Since the serial number is not recognized, that is a big warning sign.

Simple steps to try:

1. Check the firmware region — WW, CN, JP etc. If it does not match the update file, it will always fail.

2. Try downloading the full RAW firmware for your exact model and region — sometimes this fixes version errors.

3. If it still fails, contact ASUS support with your IMEI — they can check if the phone is valid or refurbished incorrectly.

For now, your ZenFone 9 will not update until the version or region mismatch is fixed.

[CeilingCatSeesU]

Hi,

I was playing around with the phone and was able to update to the next Android 13 Security patch April 2023 (WW-33.0804.2060.113). Found this on a archive site for Android firmware.

When you mean the full raw firmware is that the stock android version that would be on the phone from factory? I think the site I used had it as well so night give that ago.

I did check the IMEI number online and it matches the model and didn't have any issues. I've contact ASUS support just waiting to hear back from them.

Thanks 

[CeilingCatSeesU · Accepted solution]

In the end the phone was a ex-display model which can't be updated.

[avalynn1133]

Thanks for sharing the update.

It makes sense now why the phone would not update.
Ex-display or demo units often have special software and they usually don’t get normal OTA updates.

Good that you checked the IMEI and reached out to ASUS support too.
At least you know the phone is fine, just limited because of its demo status.

If you still want full features, only flashing the correct full stock firmware might help, but it can also fail because demo units are locked.
Sometimes the only real fix is replacing the device.

Hope you get a better result next time!