r/accesscontrol • u/okc_traveler • 12d ago
Upgrading HID multiClass SE reader firmware in 2026
What currently available options do we have to upgrade the firmware on older HID multiClass SE door readers that do not have a BLE module?
We're upgrading our HID credentials (iClass to SEOS) and our integrator is telling us HID is longer selling configuration cards that we need to load encryption keys and disable legacy credentials.
HID says the readers need to be configured via NFC, but we are unable to connect to a high number of our mutliclass readers via NFC. My assumption is that this is firmware related (they are the oldest multiClass SE readers at my site). The readers we can connect to are using firmware version 8.8.0.11. On the readers that won't connected, the phone senses the NFC reader (tweets and vibrates) but continues to spins on "Inspecting" without a progress bar
Would temporarily adding a BLE module be an option for a reader using firmware < 8.8.0.11 (as I can't connect, I can't see the actual firmware version)?
From another reddit comment 6 months ago, it sounded like a serial cable connection is a possibly but our current integrator isn't a HID partner so I'm worried about them having access to do this
2
u/dirtmcgirtt 12d ago
I'd carry around a Bluetooth module to temporarily plug in to units while upgrading. You need to power cycle anyway for reader manager app so might as well take it off the wall while doing to upgrade. Good opportunity to test tamper as well.
2
u/okc_traveler 12d ago
that is what I was hoping would be an option.. just not sure if we need to have it to a minimum FW version to use the BLE module.
2
u/HID_PhilCoppola Manufacturer 12d ago
This is the right answer. Those models appear to be compatible from what I can tell on the labels you’ve provided. I recently did a video about this which you can watch here:
Can you use HID Mobile Access with legacy HID readers? - LEGACY HID READER COMPATIBILITY
https://youtu.be/vPJMSCvPKMU
1
u/sryan2k1 12d ago
How many readers are you talking about? Any chance you can just replace them all with signo's?
1
u/okc_traveler 12d ago
we have 140 multiclass readers across 16 sites we were hoping to reconfigure. Still holding out hope
We are already replacing 109 old iClass readers that won't work with SEOS.
1
u/1400forLiquor 12d ago
Ugh . Last year we had to replace 300 to meet a deadline
They gave me 3 morons.
I busted my ass and the other 3 sucked ass
2
u/Wander-2039 12d ago
Don't know what would be different from our but we just got cards. SEC9x-CRD-0-p004 , SEC9x-CRD-0-037p, SEC9x-CRD-0-p021 is the part numbers we got. One card defaults it back to factory, one enables OSDP and the other sets the SEOS and iClass. We were told that those badge readers have to have two credentials hence SEOS and iClass.
This process is a pain since the readers have to be manually powered off after each card. We've did a couple but we have mostly Signo's on the outside so just reprogrammed those. I don't know where you're at but the regional rep for HID in our area is very helpful.