OpenTX "Bad Radio Data" erases models and settings | HOW TO FIX

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I finally figured out why OpenTX says "bad radio data" and erases your models and settings after you update to a new firmware version.
My break-down of why OpenTX 2.3.12 is important (not just if you use Crossfire): • CRSFSHOT is for everyo...
How to download OpenTX Companion and set up your first model: • How to install OpenTX ...
Three ways to flash OpenTX (including how to unbrick your radio): • Three ways to flash Op...

[@HarryPhillips1453]

Hey Joshua! The reason it didn't happen before is that QX7/X9D/all taranis radios use EEPROM to store radio & model settings. When FrSky introduced the Horus line, they started storing all data on the SD card. Since T16/T18/TX16S is based on the Horus line, they also behave this way. If you take a new radio that is based on the Taranis line (T-Lite, maybe Tango 2?) they'll store the data in EEPROM and it won't get wiped when you wipe the SD card! doc.open-tx.org/manual-for-opentx-2-2/sdcard#models-and-radio-folder

[@tomeaston2962]

Does this mean the TX16S needs an SD card to operate?

[@FPVExchange]

Beat me to it. Also the reason why you can't use the "Backup Radio to File" function in OpenTX Companion with the Radiomaster TX16S and Jumper T16

[@pfeerick]

@@tomeaston2962 Yes, as it needs the SD card to save it's settings and models. And since you have the SD card, now you can put the voice sound packs, model images, custom splash screen, lua scripts, extra widgets, etc on as well.

[@nuker2007]

What the manual states about those folders: MODELS and RADIO folder On the Horus these folder contains the model/readio information. It is used to store model information on the Horus instead of the EEPROM as on other transitters. On the other transmiters the Models folder contains files saved by the "Archive model" command of the model selection screen will be placed here. Similarly, models you want to reload using the "Restore model" of the same page need to be placed there beforehand.

[@BADrx_fpv]

Just a tutorial for those who have already lost those two folders. If you just make 2 new folders with the names RADIO and MODELS than the radio will recognize them and use them, fixing the problem. Thanks JB!

[@7171TBJ]

Love your short videos. Problem, solution, solved. Way to go. Thats why I continue to be a patreon.

[@ScowlerJase]

The way I’ve been updating all my radios since I noticed the models folder IS used by the Horus X10S I bought years ago , is to only copy over the new SD card contents ( except the RADIO & MODELS Folders ) - Haven’t had a problem since. I Also generally choose “Merge” and not “Replace” when copying the new contents to my SD Card - preserves all my custom sounds and lua etc.

[@Pilotltd]

Never seen that problem, but I just extract new sd file into existing SD and when asked to overwrite contents, say yes.

[@tichumist6225]

The same for me.... (x9 lite)

[@tazgws]

Same here Steve I do that on my Radiomaster, Jumper and X-Lite and never had a issue yet.

[@johncarold]

Thanks Josh. Great to hear we can update it and now not lose everything.

[@avivyam]

Another way would be to use the OpenTx Companion SD Card Sync tool , this works both ways , all files will be updated ( if newer) and all models and settings will remain , in addition you would have the same content on your backup SD folder. one lasty tip , to speed things up , extract only the language folder that you use in the SOUNDS folder.

[@ShinyVideoStuff]

When upgrading the sdcard just copy new sounds and scripts but don't delete the old model/radio folder... Just don't wipe the sdcard. Wasn't everyone doing this already?

[@ChrisCroft77]

My Jumper T16 did that randomly after not using for a while.

[@aaronharris5877]

Thanks Joshua! This bit me late last night and I had to roll back to fly today. I just followed your instructions and got my radio up to date

[@ra1nmaker001]

The recent big-screen radios have always relied on the SD card to store the models and settings

[@kevinbranum3040]

I just removed the batteries and charged them as I have many times. After I installed the charged batteries I turned on the radio and got the bad radio data and it’s wiped. Never updated firmware, just charged batteries as I have many times before and now it’s hosed!

[@the-happy-RC-flyer]

I have a copy of the SDCard contents on my computer with custom sounds, custom pictures, Lua scripts and Amber sounds. When I need to update to a new release version. Copy replace new card contents to the computer folder. Overwrite Amber sounds then copy to radios SDCard. Never had any problems. The models on the SDCard appear to be like a register but I have noticed that even if I have added new models to my radio I have not had a Bad Radio Data error.

[@ericboff7273]

A very helpful companion video to the last update video. Thank you once again Joshua!

[@oryfoxer]

Bad radio data comes from the radio config file being missing under RADIO folder. Models on the TX16S are stored on the SD Card. Same with EdgeTX. The steps you used are correct on how to update SD card contents.

[@witneydiggersrc3251]

Thanks for the video 👍. My first TX16s had a mother board failure, my second TX16s now with edge, now gets this warning! 😫

[@SzilardAndras]

I didn't even know this is an issue. I updated my 2 year old open tx, on my taranis qx7s without a hitch. It's either a radiomaster thing, or it pertains to the noheli firmware which I don't use. I'll look out for this now.

[@avivyam]

Hi I think this is from day 1 in jumper radio master tx16s etc , , x9d stores setting and models on EPROM. This happens to me on my 1st Jumper long time ago. Notice also that there is no backup to those radios, and it makes sense since it's all on the card. So you just make a copy of the card. Thanks for sharing

[@munthery]

Hey man! What do you think about the Edge TX? I think it’s the replacement for Open TX.

[@azdean6897]

Waiting for OpenTX 2.4

[@Oberlurch-lf8jj]

This is such a great video! I've always had driver problems on my computer. So I updated from SD card hoping that everything still work after that. Now I can restore everything :)

[@dkieng]

It seems like every time I upgrade the OpenTX I have to update SD card as well. Why don’t the OpenTX update both the Firmware and the SD card content all in one shot? Is there a reason behind this that I’m missing?

[@DerredmaxTRIAX]

You are a genius! Thanks

[@petercane6376]

I am just about to trash mine now. Really had a belly full of it. For two months I have been struggling with open tx. I dont get the same screen readings as you and others. I didnt back up my sd card so have no Radio or models folders. Warning comes up on the screen in blue BAD RADIO DATA. Well I can't risk flying knowing that so I have ordered a new FSI6X as a spare and before they stop making them and Six new Flysky rxs. To heck with theT16s. Its caused me nothing but head aches. For the Blade series Hellis I will buy a new Spektrum 6E. At least the FSI6 works and it works well without any fussing around updating this, flashing that and all the rest of it. Sorry for the negatives but that is how it has been at least for me. Peter

[@calvinalvord4281]

2.3.13 was newest ? qx7 no radio folder I transferred models folder and amber sound pack + lua and all is perfect thanks for video

[@LordRejion]

Joshua.. I need help. I got the elrs boxer radio. I'm clueless.. think I lost my factory back up.. I don't know what's all supposed to be there. The USB thing only one page shows up.. I watched your elrs this tried following.. made every mistake.. my brain just doesn't grasp what to do. Think I have fried my mind I've watched hours of stuff and still clueless..

[@paulg5437]

I have a cutdown of my personal SDCard which I merge INTO the OpenTX supplied card on the PC before copying to the radio. That way I don't forget my custom Images/scripts/sound/etc. Reading & saving the models before starting is a REALLY good idea as you always change something (even if its only the trims) over time.

[@fenuaenata]

Hi just had that problem with my mambo tbs. She never did that to me before always worked fine but it s been 15 days shestarted to do that bad data thing to me Dont understand why cause i do not have sd card in it 🤷🏽‍♂️ always have to recalibrate and remake all the chanel thing again Somebody knows why or how to fix that on the mambo I m using the tracer in it have no module on the mambo too. Cheers

[@TweetFPV]

It has to do with frsky vs everyone else. Frsky saves the models (not backups) and radio data to the eeprom. The jumper/radiomaster masters do not save the radio and models to the eeprom they save the data to the Sd card.

[@oleg146]

So you cannot use these radios without sd card?

[@TweetFPV]

@@oleg146 not exactly. It seams to be the radios with the color screens like the radiomaster tx16s, jumper t16 and the like. The B&W radios don't seam to need the Sd card.

[@oleg146]

@@TweetFPV yep I mean that, so weird actually! Thank you

[@TweetFPV]

@@oleg146 n/p.

[@pbshooter100]

You also may want to save or copy over your sounds folder if you have custom sounds located there

[@silentjack4446]

Thanks Josh. I had problems with a setting in the Global function at screenshot. I copy the models and Radio but the error consists further, the TX16s doesn't work correct. But after your tips it works, but I can't use the old Models and Radio folder, but never mind, I start with plane 🤣

[@TechnicallyTom]

Just updated two transmitters. The one with a big color screen had models in the models folder. The one that was a smaller game pad style controller did not. I have a different procedure for copying the SD card contents over. Most of the folders only contain a read me. I copy over the contents of the scripts folder so I will still have the extra scripts I installed. There are a few folders you can just copy over the contents without touching things you installed. One item was moved to a new utilities folder so deleted that and copied new one.

[@SiamFpv]

Really helpful man 😉🍻

[@timmytson1]

I broke my sd card how do I get the files ....should the tx16 bin file set it up

[@themysterydrood5891]

Love it, thanks Bardwell!

[@vedasticks]

had this last night when i went to indoor flying. didnt do any updates. turned on radio and got bad radio data. ive got a backup but i just checked my sd card the models are still all on my sd card

[@kernalmusterd]

Mine says, Cant extract/radio.bin. I'm stuck

[@RobertStanfordCambridgeUK]

You can restore your models on the SD card by counting the number of *.bin files in the models folder and then editing the models.txt file in the radio folder just add a modelN.bin (N= model number) line for each *.bin file in the models directory i.e. if in /models you have model1.bin model2.bin model3.bin add: model1.bin (will already be there) model2.bin model3.bin When you have finished adding lines, save the txt file. Restart the TX This will bring back all your models including the ones that you previously deleted, then go to the radio and delete the models labelled model1 model2 etc as these are previously deleted models. Also keep an eye open for duplicates as these will also be restored.

[@michaelwblade]

This just happened to me and I didn’t even update the radio but then I had to

[@SunriseWaterMedia]

I thought of you when I saw this video.

[@compostpile1148]

The most recent livestream you did on 6/27 is private and isn't showing on youtube. plz help

[@chrissorlie6497]

The Frsky x9 lite S had antenna problems Aug. 2020. The Answer was: Try using the old version of the internal module: 1.1.3, you can get it of the internet or directly from FrSky technical support. The old version solved the issues for me. Not an identical problem but strange none the less. Obviously a different brand radio.

[@RobR386]

Reading these comments makes me glad I still use my X9D, no need to change it 🙂

[@Terazuk]

Will you be reviewing the TBS Mambo radio?

[@marshallsweatherhiking1820]

Hmm. I can't even update firmware anymore. I think my internal SD card is broken.

[@KerryTheKid]

Sweet! Thank you sir!

[@pfeerick]

Basically none of the colour screen radios have an EEPROM, so all the radio and model settings are stored on the SD card. There are some radios like the TX16S which also have a SPI connected FLASH memory chip, but that isn't currently used by OpenTX or EdgeTX. That's why you should *never* format the card to erase it, or delete all the contents, unless you have made a backup of the RADIO and MODELS folders first ;) With the B&W screen transmitters, if you have backed up your models or settings, your model backups will be in MODELS, and your radio settings backups with be in EEPROM, so on those transmitters you want to backup those folders, just so you have them, but all the radio and model settings will still be in EEPROM, so you will only lose you backups if you don't do that ;)

[@1piontek]

I'd like to know why my Jumper T16 does this randomly? I've been at races before and have turned on my radio and this has happened, no updating, just turning it on. Bad radio data. I had to quit racing because I didn't have my laptop.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

It's your SD card failing.

[@1piontek]

Thanks. I'll try a different one.

[@flo7ch979]

Hi Joshua, i accidentally flashed qx7 firmware to my jumper t18 and now it's not working correctly. How could i solve it?

[@gmivisualsjason3729]

Very helpful 👌

[@MCsCreations]

Pretty interesting indeed, Joshua! Did you check if there are protected files in it? They wouldn't be normally visible. Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

[@larssmith2170]

I sometimes think to avoid all this frustration just stick to the DJI radio. It is so user friendly. If all you want to do is fly FPV with out all the hassle its a good option. I like my Tango 2 but have spent many sleepless nights trying get it to work again after a firmware upgrade.

[@martr]

Nice one Bardy.

[@breakflight]

I've never taken my SD card out. I've heard too many stories of SD cards missing the internal slot. And it's not too slow for me. I only upgrade every few months...

[@bokusimondesu]

Thank you! 👍👍

[@jerryzito6840]

Hey Josh. Perhaps you can steer me in the right direction. I am convinced that my last SD card was corrupted. When I say nothing worked on my radio (TX16s), I mean NOTHING worked. Models I used to fly no longer functioned, receivers would not bind. Anyway, I decided to buy a new SD card. Do you have any videos showing how to install a new blank SD card, or any other KZbinrs that might have one?

[@djilly75]

I could still use my xlite with my sd card taken out. Like you said no voice stuff but worked fine but I haven't tried that since updating

[@cracymarc]

not sure but maye its due the t2/mambo integration to opentx. if so, i suggest to backup at least the models. txt file as it gets recreated when "bad radio data" shows up

[@YuriuSSS]

I thought models was always on SD card on color screen radios

[@bodhibaker6886]

Omg this helped thanks so much

[@DopeJohnny]

It seems to be radio dependent. Some radios save it to eeprom, some save it to the sd card.

[@MichaelRogersJesusrules]

Great content as usual ox

[@jorgeromero4680]

if "Bad radio data" error happens randomly without apparent reason then you should change the sd card

[@natemadeindade]

What do I do after changing the SD card? Will my models return? Haven’t been able to get over this issue for 6 months

[@jorgeromero4680]

@@natemadeindade they won't return. you need to make them again and take a backup, so if it happens in the future you can restore them.

[@amax2624]

I never had this issue on my QX7/ T16xs.... because I always copyíed only the new scripts and updated to the new folder system. Deleting the content would be a mess, I would lose all my additional scripts and tools which do not come with the new OTX sdcard version.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

I always take firmware update as an opportunity to update all my scripts to the latest.

[@IveGotWood1000]

You waste a lot of space just copying everything over because of other languages in SD Card contents

[@jimreynolds8284]

I was not smart i deleted both model and radio how do i fix it

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Re flash.

[@georgspandl767]

Perfect video with great timing. Exactly that happened to my Tango 2. Unfortunatelly I have NOTmade a backup and lost these files. Can anyone send these files to me so I can reanimate my Tango 2?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

The files are unique to your radio. The only way to restore them as far as I know is to have backed them up.

[@iambrian]

Did you figure it out yet? I am currently dealing with the same issue and did not back up my files

[@Bmeadowz]

@@iambrian did you ever find a solution bud?

[@dannypullon7145]

Josh im having massive problems can you help please

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Yep I will do my best to help. The best thing to do is email me [e-mail]

[@oleg146]

But there’s no RADIO folder on QX7 somehow

[@calvinalvord4281]

same for me qx7 no radio folder

[@oleg146]

@@calvinalvord4281 yeah there’s explanation why in other comments here - basically it depends on model

[@dr07828]

you know... If you use the sync SD card tool.. you will never have this problem... I don't know why you don't do this and why you do it the confusing way you do.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Here's why I don't use the sync tool. One is that I don't entirely trust it--or maybe I don't trust myself not to accidentally overwrite the new files with the old instead of the other way around. Two is that it's still very slow the times I've used it. Three is that it would be a whole tutorial all in itself to teach people who struggle with using Windows Explorer how to set up a backup folder, extract the zip file to the folder, and then use the sync function. It's simpler for rank beginners to just say, "copy the zip file contents to the SD" (and they still struggle with that sometimes--just today I helped someone who simply dropped the zip file onto his SD card without extracting it). Finally, copying to SD works even if you haven't been able to get OpenTX Companion to connect to your radio, which is another thing some people struggle with.

[@dr07828]

@@JoshuaBardwell wow. It's not that hard. I mean, you plug in the radio. Click sync. The default option is the correct option. Click browse and point 2 new sdcard. The tool will find your radio. Click start. If that's too slow for you. Take the card out of the radio. Put in in computer. Point the local file to new sd card and point radio to the sdcard that's mounted and it will go super fast. It will copy it correctly. You won't loose any files. All your stuff will be there and you won't have an error. Your way is like. Copy this copy that do this do that and oops I got an error and it wiped all my stuff.

[@siccyshark88]

I always copy my RADIO MODELS IMAGES THEMES and SOUND when i upgrading my opentx.

[@chrisfpv5706]

mine did the upgrade just fine :)

[@KCLeung-gm8ql]

The "Bad radio data" will occured if you unplug the battery before power off.

[@shayamar2280]

wouldn't be easier just to overwrite the SD card content? this way old (relevant) files will be replaced and the remain will not be touched, including custom images and sounds files? same result less effort.

[@richardraimondo612]

Joshua, I am using FW 2.3.14 in a Jumper t-18 lite, and I am having the "Bad radio data" message, but not upon a FW update, but in the field when trying to make a new flight. About the models in the SD card Radio folder, and Models folder, I found two things: The Model file in the Radio folder, has been set to default, showing a blank model 1 after you recalibrate the sticks. The other finding was that all models are kept in good shape in the Model folder, although you need to do some back and forth job for them to be able to see them back in the transmitter. (I think I copied the Model file from a backup SD card to the installed SD card, and that fix the problem. However, given that in my case, this did not happen upon an FW update, but after powering off the transmitter, this is a very disturbing issue related to the FW that people should be aware of and report.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

This happens when the SD card is faulty. The radio tries to read the SD card, fails, then resets, and when it resets, the MODELS and RADIO are reset. Replace the factory SD card with a good quality name brand card. You don't need a big one -- even 2GB is plenty.

[@richardraimondo612]

@@JoshuaBardwell That is a general belief, and I have my doubts about that. The reason is, that after I copied the models back into the "bad SD card" everything was working again. Given that this happened before, I thought the same as you suggested and installed a SanDisk brand, but the thing happened again. Therefore, how a supposedly bad card, can still be working just fine?

[@JoshuaBardwell]

A bad SD card doesn't go bad 100% of the time. Failure to read sometimes and not others is very common. If you are using a name brand like SanDisk then my next guess would be the contacts in the SD card slot in the radio. But fixing that is going to be a lot trickier. I would contact Jumper support at that point.

[@richardraimondo612]

@@JoshuaBardwell Thanks a lot Joshua. I agree with you about the hardware related to the SD card. If the card is bad is bad always, however bad contacts can be erratic. And yes, I posed the situation to Jumper. They said that mismatching versions in companion and Jumper or abnormal transmitter power off can be the reason for this event. However, although the first time I had this situation it actually was when I extracted the card with the Transmitter battery connected (but the transmitter powered off) this time I have no reason to justify the event happening again. I explained Jumper exactly what I did before the event and I am waiting for a response from them, which I will forward to you just in case it comes in handy to help someone else. Kind regards and thank you for your attention.

[@aoq1]

I got the message when I dropped my tango 2 accidentally...

[@rubinhodrone9204]

Passando pra prestigiar aquele like e fortalecer o canal 👍✌

[@NieJemPlackow]

Bajlando di favela amigo.

[@biggfpv2721]

Yes they used to work but i have noticed the same thing

[@QTMagic]

I had this problem. Luckily I didn't have many models to remake.

[@PaosElectronicDreams]

It's always nice to stay on the stable build when dealing with unreliable open source codes. The rule of thumb all the time~ Do you know who tested the open source codes? Nobody knows~

[@Rob-vt1mz]

This happened to me at the field and pissed me off something fierce.

[@duduoson1306]

Mid flight or on boot?

[@Rob-vt1mz]

@@duduoson1306 on boot after I had been flying fine for probably an hour. Took a break fired radio back up and boom.

[@JoshuaBardwell]

If it happened randomly your SD card may be dying.

[@Jeffreyrent920]

Always have a backup sd card just in case....🤣

[@starhawke380]

Why are you getting this error message in the first place? Because you had to be the first one to install a new firmware and couldnt wait for it to be vetted by JB first! Hah! You had it coming!

[@Fleche_FPV]

EXTREMELY PAINFULL PROBLEM !!!

[@seacprogrammer8455]

LOL If you were smart hahahahaha!!! Love that !

[@Fpvfixit]

First

[@hallio111]

open tx is really shit. you can't even download the old versions. I tried flashing my r9m with ELRS and FRsky firmware, both don't work anymore. absolute trash.