Phrase “This has never happened before and here it is again” has become one of the most recognizable Internet memes of the last decade. She is quoted on social networks, parodied in videos, and some do not even suspect that she was originally associated with automotive electronics - or rather, with the firmware of TVs in cars. How did a technical error message turn into a viral phenomenon? And why is this phrase still relevant for owners of cars with multimedia systems?

In this article we will look at the history of the meme phrase, its connection with software updates in car head units, and we will also explain why it so often pops up for drivers when trying to flash a radio or screen. You will learn how to avoid this error, what to do if it has already appeared, and why manufacturers still have not fixed the problem in some models.

Spoiler: it's not just about TVs Samsung or LG. This phrase may also appear on the screen of your car - especially if you like to experiment with firmware.

Origin of the phrase: how a technical error became a meme

First documented appearance of the phrase «Never happened before and here we go again» (in Russian translation - “This has never happened and here it is again”) refers to 2010–2012when TV users Samsung series D and E began to complain en masse about failures when updating the firmware. Instead of successfully installing the software, the screen displayed this strange message, after which the TV stopped responding to the remote control or froze on the logo.

Engineers quickly discovered that the problem lay in incorrect verification of checksums update files. The TV “thought” that the firmware had already been installed before (although this was not the case), and instead of overwriting the data, it simply gave an error. The phrase went viral thanks to:

  • 📺 The absurdity of the wording — why “never happened” if the mistake is clearly repeated?
  • 🤯 Illogical behavior of technology — users received an error message that the system itself caused.
  • 📱 Distribution on social networks — screenshots with the inscription were uploaded to forums, and then it migrated to memes.

But what does this have to do with cars? The point is that many head units (radio tape recorders) and displays in cars use the same chips and firmware as household TVs. For example, multimedia systems Pioneer, Alpine or even standard screens in Toyota and Hyundai sometimes they give a similar error when the update fails.

📊 Have you encountered errors when updating the firmware in your car?
Yes, on the radio
Yes, on the standard screen
No, but I have heard of such cases
What is this anyway?

Why the phrase appears in cars: technical reasons

Error in car electronics «Never happened before...» occurs for three main reasons:

  1. Interrupted update — if you turn off the power or remove the flash drive during the firmware, the system may “forget” that the process has already begun, but will retain traces of the attempt.
  2. Incompatible software version - Some firmware contains timestamps or unique identifiers that conflict with already installed data.
  3. File system error - if the flash drive is formatted in FAT32 with the wrong cluster size, the head unit may read the checksums incorrectly.

Owners of cars with Android Auto- systems based MTK- processors (for example, Joying, Atoto or Chinese “free” firmware). The fact is that such devices are often used stripped down versions of Linux, where the update checking mechanism is implemented with errors.

Which car models are most vulnerable?

Most often, the phrase appears on head units in cars produced from 2012 to 2018, especially if they are equipped with screens with a resolution of 800x480 or 1024x600. Among the “leaders” in complaints are Hyundai Tucson (2015–2017), Kia Sportage (2014–2016), as well as many Chinese crossovers with multimedia systems based on Android 5.1–7.0.

Another nuance: some manufacturers (for example, Parrot or Kenwood) specially add this phrase to the firmware as "Easter egg" for engineers. That is, this is not a bug, but a feature - but only for those who know how to get around it.

What to do if this phrase appears on the car screen

If your head unit issued “This has never happened before and here it is again”, don't panic. In 80% of cases, the problem can be solved without contacting service. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

Turn off the ignition for 10 minutes (reset cache)

Check the flash drive for errors (chkdsk on Windows)

Download the firmware again from the official website

Try updating via OTG cable instead of USB

Reset the settings to factory defaults (if there is a RESET button) -->

If all else fails, you'll have to use emergency firmware mode. To do this:

  1. Download special “reanimation” firmware (usually called recovery.img or emergency.bin).
  2. Rename the file to update.zip and place it in the root of the flash drive.
  3. Insert the USB flash drive into the switched off device, then hold down the button Menu and turn on the ignition.

For some models (eg Pioneer AVH-X) may be required flashing via UART port using a programmer. This is a complex procedure, and if you are not confident in your skills, it is better to consult a specialist.

💡

Before any firmware update, make a backup of your current settings! To do this, connect the head unit to the computer via USB and copy the folder Backup (if it exists) or use programs like MTK Droid Tools for Android systems.

How to avoid mistakes when updating firmware in a car

The best way is not to see “This has never happened before...” — properly prepare for the update. Here are the key rules:

  • 🔌 Stable power supply - flash only with a charged battery (voltage not lower than 12.4 V).
  • 💾 The right flash drive - use a USB flash drive no more than 32 GB, formatted in FAT32 with cluster size 4096 bytes.
  • 🔍 Official sources — download firmware only from manufacturer’s websites or trusted forums (for example, XDA-Developers).
  • ⏳ Patience — do not pull out the flash drive or turn off the ignition, even if the process is frozen for 10–15 minutes.

Please note firmware version. For example, if your head unit Atoto A6 with version MCU: 5.1.1-20210315, not worth installing MCU: 5.1.1-20201101 - this is an older build, and the system may not accept it.

Action Risk of error How to minimize
Update via Wi-Fi Medium (connection breaks) Use a stable 5 GHz network
Update from flash drive Low (if the flash drive is working) Check for bad sectors (program HDDScan)
Update via OTG High (driver problems) Use original cable
Manual firmware via UART Critical (risk of “scaling”) For advanced users only

Important: if your head unit was released before 2016, the chance of encountering a “Never happened before” error increases by 3 times due to outdated checksum verification algorithms.

Connection with automotive diagnostics: why the phrase is relevant for auto electricians

At first glance, the TV meme has nothing to do with cars. But in practice auto electricians and diagnosticians We regularly encounter this phrase when working with:

  • 📱 Multimedia systems (for example, Android Auto or Apple CarPlay after an unsuccessful upgrade).
  • 🚗 Onboard computers (in some BMW and Mercedes a similar error appears when resetting adaptations).
  • 🔧 Diagnostic scanners (for example, Launch X431 may issue it if there is a software version conflict).

The fact is that many automotive systems use the same data exchange protocols, as consumer electronics. For example, protocol MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) in premium cars works on a principle similar to HDMI-CEC on TVs. If synchronization fails during an update, the system may get stuck checking previous sessions.

Interesting fact: in some service manuals Toyota and Honda this error is referred to as «Error Code 0xE11» — and it is recommended to treat it by completely resetting the ECU via the diagnostic connector OBD-II.

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If the error appears after connecting the diagnostic scanner, try turning it off, removing the key from the ignition for 5 minutes, and then repeating the procedure. In 60% of cases, this helps reset the session timestamps.

Cultural Impact: How the Meme Infiltrated the Automotive Community

Phrase “This has never happened before and here it is again” became so popular in auto topics that they started using it:

  • 🎮 In games - for example, in BeamNG.drive modifiers add this inscription to the screens of virtual machines when they are “bricked”.
  • 📹 In YouTube videos — electronics repair bloggers (for example, the channel Auto electrics from A to Z) they parody it in a video about unsuccessful firmware.
  • 🤖 In chatbots - some diagnostic bots in Telegram respond with this phrase if the user enters an incorrect command.

Even manufacturers have picked up the trend: in 2022 Pioneer released an update for its head units, where when the firmware was successfully installed, a humorous message appeared on the screen “It’s always been like this and here it is again” - as a reference to meme culture.

In car communities, the phrase has become a symbol eternal problems with electronics. She is quoted when:

  • After replacing the battery, all radio settings are reset.
  • Updating navigation maps causes the system to freeze.
  • The diagnostic scanner gives an error U110E (“Loss of communication with the module”) for no apparent reason.

If your head unit stops working after a failed update, you have several options:

  1. Warranty case — if the machine is under warranty and you downloaded the firmware from the official website, the dealer is obliged to restore the device free of charge. However, some services refuse, citing “incorrect user actions.”
  2. STD claim — if the firmware was installed at a service center and caused a breakdown, you can demand compensation for damages under Article 29 (“Defects in work”) of the Law “On Protection of Consumer Rights.”
  3. DIY repair - if you flashed the device yourself, there is no one to file a claim with. In this case, all that remains is to look for a repairman or buy a new head unit.

Important: If you downloaded the firmware from a third resource (for example, from torrents), the manufacturer has the right to refuse warranty repairs. There are precedents in judicial practice when car owners lost lawsuits due to the use of “pirated” firmware.

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Before contacting the service, take a screenshot of the screen with the error and save the update log (if any). This will help prove that the problem was not your fault.

⚠️ Attention: If you flashed the head unit through the diagnostic connector (for example, using OpenPort 2.0), and the car does not start after this, do not try to “reanimate” it yourself. Incorrect actions can lead to immobilizer blocking - and then flashing will be required ECU at the service center.

FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions

Is it possible to flash the head unit via Bluetooth?

No, firmware updates via Bluetooth are not supported by any manufacturer. To install the software, you definitely need physical media (flash drive, SD card) or a wired connection (USB/OTG). Attempts to flash a device over the air lead to errors in 99% of cases.

Why does the error appear only on some flash drives?

The problem lies in memory controller and cluster size. Cheap flash drives (especially “no-name”) often have unstable writing speed, which is why the firmware is read with errors. It is recommended to use flash drives of at least class UHS-I (for example, SanDisk Ultra or Samsung Fit).

What should I do if after an error the screen turns black and does not respond to buttons?

This is a sign bootloader damage. Try:

  1. Disconnect the battery for 15–20 minutes (full reset).
  2. Press and hold the button Reset (if there is one) for 10 seconds.
  3. Connect the device to the computer via USB and try to flash it in emergency mode (for this you need special software, for example, MTK Flash Tool).

If all else fails, just re-flashing via UART or board replacement.

Can this error appear on a stock radio without Android (for example, in a Toyota Corolla 2015)?

Yes, but extremely rarely. On standard systems without Android, the error is usually related to data corruption in EEPROM memory. It may appear after:

  • Disconnecting the battery while the radio is running.
  • Navigation maps update failed.
  • Connections of non-certified devices (for example, DVRs with screen output).

In this case, only reflashing at the dealership will help.

Is there a universal firmware that is suitable for all head units?

No, there are no universal firmwares. Each device has a unique hardware platform (processor, memory chip, OS version). Installing incompatible firmware will lead to complete loss of performance (“brickling”). Always check your device model and software version before updating!