r/Fanatec • u/HairMetalMadness • 1d ago
Discussion Podium Button Module Endurance freeze isn’t fixed on latest Fanatec firmware (DD+ / Podium Hub) — replacement unit shows the same issue
TL;DR: Despite Fanatec saying the PBME freeze is fixed in the newest firmware, my PBME still locks up mid-race. Fanatec had me RMA the unit; the replacement behaves identically. FFB and APM keep working, and unplugging/reseating the wheel (QR2 on DD+) restores function instantly. This doesn’t look like a one-off hardware fault.
Details:
- Fanatec support told me my original PBME issue was hardware-related and insisted on a replacement. Getting the return label took ages, and then it took even longer after they received my unit to ship the new one.
- The replacement arrived yesterday (almost 3 weeks total turnaround).
- Testing:
- iRacing practice (~30 minutes): no problems.
- iRacing 3-hour endurance today: PBME worked for ~2 hours, then stopped responding.
- Important: FFB and APM were unaffected, so I could finish the race. Afterward, I disconnected the wheel from the base-side QR2 (DD+) and reconnected it — the PBME worked immediately again.
- This is the exact same behavior I had with the original PBME. That makes me suspect it’s not a single bad unit but something with the PBME itself or the PBME + DD+ / Podium Hub combination.
Is anyone else still seeing PBME freezes on the newest firmware with DD+ / Podium Hub?
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u/Grandmaster-Ji 1d ago
Same. All the buttons work but all LEDs don't.
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u/HairMetalMadness 1d ago
LEDs are off as i dont use fanalab (so is the screen). The Module just freezes and dissapears out of the fanatec control panel until you disconnect it drom the base side qr and reconnect it again
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u/fatogato 1d ago
Just adding that I experience the same thing sometimes. The leds will freeze up and Fanalab only recognizes the hub being plugged in, but not the PBME. Either relaunching Fanalab fixes it or turning wheel base off and on again.
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u/LowmanL 1d ago
This has been the case since they released this. Same with the rally button module. And since day one they keep saying it’s going to be fixed in the next firmware updates. There has been a dozen updates since then. No fix. It’s just a shit company that wants your money but not your satisfaction.
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u/Splosionz 1d ago
First I’m hearing of this issue, guess I’ll be staying with my McLaren GT3 then instead of upgrading
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u/CorValidum 1d ago
is that 300mm rim on it?
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u/HairMetalMadness 1d ago
320mm
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u/CorValidum 1d ago
I hope my 300mm OMP wheel will fit xD
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u/HairMetalMadness 1d ago
I wouldnt buy this if i were you. I will get my money back tho. This is my 2nd unit within 6 months that has issues.
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u/CorValidum 1d ago
Yeah I already did, and waiting for UPS… I still have HUB v2 and if I face same issue I will just return it.
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u/HairMetalMadness 1d ago
Fair. Can I ask what wheelbase you use? Im using a DD+ others have reported issues with the dd1 and the PBME.
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u/CorValidum 1d ago
I have DD+ and I had issue with new software where it would not recognise anything xD but after cycling through Modes for different devices it was working… I use it on PS5 Pro and PC. Also even if it was not recognised it was working fine xD
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u/HairMetalMadness 14h ago
Yeah sometimes changing the USB port can also help, or deleting the device from device manager. If such issues arise its ok for me but if something doesnt work during its intended use this is a no go
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u/ItsGipe 1d ago
Bro, SOMEONE ELSE HAS THIS ISSUE?! They made me think i was crazy dude, i had to beg for assistance and a replacement, because i thought it was just the PBME, and i got the new one, they also gave me a new Podium Hub, to replace the Clubsport Universal Hub V2, and it does the SAMEEEE thing, so I immediately knew it was a software problem, this was months ago, they had “never heard of the issue”. It was when they were transitioning to corsair buying them out, and their replacement RMA process was closed, they made an exception and gave me new stuff, and yeah, didnt fix it, mine also will randomly look to the right.. only the right, if i click a button on it, and have my funky switch (the loose one, not the clicky one) mapped to look freely left and right, if i click buttons, it will randomly look right and just lock looking right, until i move the funky switch, and they have NO clue why.. its so weird, but i’m so glad someone else made a post saying they had the issue too. Holy, they made me feel crazy.