Stihl MDG Software Updates?

[Mastermind]

Hey fellas.....if you have a Stihl MDG and can't use it due to Stihl not allowing you to download updates or the software patches.....please post up. We might have some help for you.

 

[Stump Shot]

@tree monkey

 

[MR_T]

Thread 'MDG1 woes'

Jul 15, 2025

Well, the troubles I’ve seen discussed before are now mine. The software won’t update and I cannot access newer saws. Has anyone figured out what to can be done about this?

• av8or3
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Chainsaws

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[av8or3]

Thread 'MDG1 woes'

Jul 15, 2025

Well, the troubles I’ve seen discussed before are now mine. The software won’t update and I cannot access newer saws. Has anyone figured out what to can be done about this?

• av8or3
• Replies: 0
• Forum: Chainsaws

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• 

I’m watching

 

[huskihl]

Listening…
same issue but I don’t use it much

 

[DND 9000]

I'm intrested too.

 

[SimonHS]

I've not used mine for a while, but I probably have the same problem. The link that I used to download the software stopped working.

 

[Mastermind]

I appreciate everyone posting about this. If you know anyone who has had this problem, let them know about this thread too.

 

[Bill G]

I assume this is the modern version of mediacat?

 

[Mastermind]

I assume this is the modern version of mediacat?

No. MediaCat is a collection of IPLs and service bulletins. This is the program that connects the Mtronic and fuel injected saws to the computer.

 

[av8or3]

No. MediaCat is a collection of IPLs and service bulletins. This is the program that connects the Mtronic and fuel injected saws to the computer.

“Almost” incoming question answered!

 

[av8or3]

Just so’s folks passing thru want an understanding of the problem. Stihl has sold us the MDG1 but won’t support it with the available software update. We can plug the analyzer into all the m-tronic and fuel injected machines and expect it to work on those machines up to a point. When Stihl updated the software to add all its new products it required Stihl Dealer login to access it and by that excluded all the folks who were sold the MDG1 analyzer who were not Stihl Dealers. So, We can only check out the saws supported in the original software version but not the new stuff.
Sucks

 

[Bill G]

No. MediaCat is a collection of IPLs and service bulletins. This is the program that connects the Mtronic and fuel injected saws to the computer.

When our last non-box store Stihl dealer closed in November 2023 after 48 years I inquired about the tools and related items. He said he thought they all "walked off". I have no idea what happened to any of the computer items but I might ask him next week. It is a mute point though if Stihl will not support the program then it is worthless. This sounds like the "right to farm" suit with Deere.

 

[av8or3]

“This sounds like the "right to farm" suit with Deere.”
It is exactly like the FTC v. Deere case.
Except, the FTC is representing the farmers, the ultimate consumers. it looks to me like the very same thing is going on though.

 

[Bill G]

I do see the distinction you mentioned and I appreciate you calling my attention to it. I was clearly mistaken in my wording it is "right to repair"

FTC, States Sue Deere & Company to Protect Farmers from Unfair Corporate Tactics, High Repair Costs

The Federal Trade Commission today, along with the Illinois and Minnesota Attorneys General, sued agricultural equipment manufacturer Deere & Company (Deere) over its use of unfair practices th

www.ftc.gov

An excerpt.......

The FTC’s complaint alleges that, for decades, Deere’s unlawful practices have limited the ability of farmers and independent repair providers to repair Deere equipment, forcing farmers to instead rely on Deere’s network of authorized dealers for necessary repairs. This unfair steering practice has boosted Deere’s multi-billion-dollar profits on agricultural equipment and parts, growing its repair parts business while burdening farmers with higher repair costs, the FTC’s complaint alleges.

 

[av8or3]

You left out a very important part of the complaint. Deere is doing what they are accused of by withholding proprietary equipment and software that is required for diagnosis and repair of their equipment, requiring the farmers to load up and head to the nearest Deere store for service. Imagine having a combine or some other large piece of equipment fail in the field and the local mobil repair service can’t help cause they don’t have the equipment or software to do it. Sorry, you gotta see the dealer. Time and money is all. You know who gets what.

 

[av8or3]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
This I would like to point out is exactly what Stihl is doing right now.

 

[redneckhillbilly]

all auto and equipment manufacturers would do the same as deere if they could.
BMW wants a subscription for heated seats to work.
GM has talked about extra HP for a monthly fee.
Ford can turn off the A/C if your late on your bill.
the list goes on and on.
buried deep in the sales contracts is something along the lines of you dont own the software, your just a licensed user of it. they own it and just let you use their software to run your machine.
Its not going to go away, its only going to get worse until people quit buying it.

i have seen some youtube videos of people using auto style OBD scanners and running wires from the can bus + and - to them and sometimes being able to turn off trouble codes mainly from DEF sensor and emission codes.