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Peloton is a relatively new (2012) boutique fitness equipment manufacturer. They went out on a limb and came up with a premium product combined with smart functionality, including apps, touchscreens, and even an AI-powered, personal trainer that looks like a projector.
The result was a runaway success and Peloton is now one of the most popular premium, at-home exercise products in the world. Despite all of that, Peloton products cannot escape the typical bugs and glitches we experience with all of our smart products.
The “stuck on downloading” issue is one that has plagued humanity for decades. It doesn’t always have to be the Peloton equipment that’s failing, either. If your Peloton is stuck on downloading an update or additional software, there is probably a simple fix associated with it.
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5 Fixes To Peloton Stuck On Downloading Update
1. Poor Wi-Fi
Poor Wi-Fi is often a culprit when it comes to frozen downloads. Peloton is no different from other devices that rely on Wi-Fi for software updates. It can be a weak spot if you have poor Wi-Fi or fail to consider the limitations of Wi-Fi.
For one, Wi-Fi has trouble with a number of things, including other radio signals, physical barriers, and distance. It’s always a good idea to place your favorite Wi-Fi dependent devices as close to your router or gateway as possible.
For instance, it’s never a good idea to put your 4k TV on the other side of the house from your router.
Brick, concrete, glass, metal, microwaves, other Wi-Fi sources, and devices that use Bluetooth, Zigbee, or Z-Wave are all capable of crippling your Wi-Fi signal before it ever reaches your Peloton.
Stand next to your Peloton equipment and run a speed test on your smartphone (there are plenty of internet speed test apps out there that are completely free.
Make sure you have a robust and speedy upload and download speed. If your Wi-Fi is struggling where your Peloton is situated, it’s time to either move your router/gateway or your Peloton equipment. Exercise bikes are pretty bulky, so it may be easier to move your router.
2. Peloton Servers
It’s not always a problem with your Peloton. It could very well be an issue with Peloton’s servers. Fortunately, you can access information on the current status of Peloton’s servers, whether you have a Peloton Bike, Treadmill, or just need to update your app.
Status One Peloton is a simple page with a breakdown of Peloton’s individual systems and their current status. You don’t have to jump through any hoops or anything.
Just follow the link and bookmark the page for future reference. If any of the status indicators don’t carry the “operational” label, you’ll have to wait until Peloton fixes the servers and gets it back online.
3. Restart the Peloton
A simple restart is a surprisingly effective troubleshooting tip. It works for most smart devices out there and has been a mainstay troubleshooting option since the dawn of the computer age. There are two ways to restart a Peloton, and both are pretty simple.
The first is to simply unplug it. Wait for about two minutes and plug it back in. Once it cycles back up, try to start the download process again.
The second way is to hold down the power button. Depending on your Peloton equipment, there should be a power button somewhere on the device. Once you locate it, press it and hold it down until you hear two beeps. Release the power button and your Peloton will finish restarting on its own.
4. Update the Firmware on the Router’s Side
Oftentimes, the Peloton isn’t the source of the problem, just like the above-mentioned Wi-Fi interference issues. Now, every router is different, so telling you how to update your router’s firmware would take a lot more than a simple article post.
For the most part, newer routers are supposed to update their firmware automatically. It doesn’t always work out that way. For the most part, routers have their information, including accessing the router, on the bottom (look for a sticker).
It will have the username and password (both are the default username and password for logging into your router for the first time) so you can jump on your computer and access the router. It’s much harder to do this on a smartphone, since you need a desktop view.
Visit your router’s site and make sure your router is on the latest firmware. If not, the option to update the firmware should be there.
5. Factory Reset Your Peloton
Nobody wants to do this, but it’s a fact of life when nothing else seems to work. The good news is, though the factory reset option is the worst case scenario, it generally works. There are two buttons located next to the power button on Peloton devices.
Press and hold down both of these buttons until you hear two beeps. It should take about ten seconds. This will unfortunately erase all of your user data, and you will have to start from scratch, as if you just unpacked the Peloton bike or treadmill for the first time.
It’s also a good idea to give your router a reset as well, before you turn the Peloton back on. If you have a gateway, all you need to do is unplug it for two minutes and allow it to cycle back up fully before you start up the Peloton again.
If you have a router and a modem, turn the router off first and remove the Ethernet cable between the router and modem. Then unplug the modem. After two minutes, plug your modem back in and allow it to cycle back up before you connect the Ethernet cable again.
With the Ethernet cable plugged in, plug in your router and allow it to cycle back up, followed by the Peloton.
Final Thoughts
Peloton bikes and treadmills are not known for giving people a lot of problems. The occasional download freeze is generally a simple fix that often requires nothing more than a restart. In cases where it goes beyond that, these troubleshooting tips should have you back on the bike or treadmill in no time.
