Hi, new user here. I have a Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX that is non-functional. I tried applying the 1.01-1.02 firmware update a few weeks ago, and the update failed. It got stuck in the update loop and would fail every time. I was hoping that replacing the internal SD card would solve the issue, but it seems not to have. I'm out of my league trying to go any deeper so I'm thinking I would like to try having it serviced by someone who knows what they're doing. Do folks around here have decent things to say about the official Pioneer service center? Are their prices at all reasonable? I see they are asking an $80 evaluation fee which can then be applied to the repairs if needed. Or are there any independent shops that would be recommended?

I also have a bigger question. I have not been totally satisfied with this unit, not only because of the recent malfunction, but because it mysteriously died for several months and then resurrected itself without any intervention. It also hasn't received any firmware updates since I believe 2019. I know I may be asking a biased crowd here, but if I decide a new head unit is the best option, would people recommend Pioneer? Or does another brand have better products and support? Wireless CarPlay is a priority for me.

I'm having a similar problem.  Except that I have not tried to update the my AVH-W4400NEX.  Lil' help here...TIA.

"It's still dead, Jim.". Just for accuracy's sake, I did update the firmware when I first purchased the head unit.  I presumed that anything else would update through my phone later.  But the prevailing consensus in the Internet wilds appears to be that there were no updates and the 4400 and 4500 are essentially identical and my having gotten six years out of the thing is about four years longer than most use cases.  I've been a Pioneer loyalist for about a half century.  I guess it's time to start looking at the K-whopper options.  At least they still have their Amateur Radio reputation to protect.