How to Fix the ETKA “Please Import Updates” Error

ETKA may refuse to open when its installed vehicle database becomes too old. Instead of loading the main catalogue, the application displays a message asking you to import or install updates.

This usually means that the ETKA application is installed, but one or more brand databases have not reached the minimum update level required by the program.

The installation supplied with the separate Automatic Updates tools can normally resolve this problem by downloading and installing the missing data packages.

What Does “Please Import Updates” Mean in ETKA?

ETKA uses separate databases for vehicle brands, parts information and prices. These databases are updated independently from the main application.

The message can appear when:

• the vehicle data is outdated;
• one or more brand databases are behind the required update level;
• previously downloaded updates were not installed;
• the update process was interrupted;
• ETKA was upgraded but its data packages were not;
• the update tool cannot access the required files;
• the installed ETKA version expects a newer database level.

The message does not necessarily mean that the entire ETKA installation is damaged.

Before Starting the ETKA Update

Close the main ETKA application before running the update tool.

Also check that:

• Windows has a working internet connection;
• there is enough free space on the ETKA drive;
• no other ETKA update process is running;
• the Windows account can write to the ETKA installation folders;
• the computer will remain powered on throughout the update;
• the correct Automatic Updates package is installed.

Do not interrupt the process once database installation has started. Closing the updater or restarting Windows during installation can leave the database incomplete.

Locate the Automatic Updates Folder

The installation should include an Automatic Updates folder or shortcut on the Windows desktop.

Open:

Automatic Updates

Inside the folder, you should see separate tools for updating ETKA data and prices.

The names may include:

• Data – downloads and installs the main ETKA vehicle and parts databases;
• Prices – updates the separate price database.

For the “Please import updates” error, start with Data. Updating prices alone will not normally resolve an outdated vehicle database.

How to Update the ETKA Database

Step 1: Close ETKA

Make sure that the main ETKA program is completely closed.

If necessary, open Windows Task Manager and confirm that ETKA is no longer running in the background.

Step 2: Open Automatic Updates

Open the Automatic Updates folder supplied with your ETKA installation.

Step 3: Run the Data updater

Launch:

Data

If Windows requests administrator permission, approve it only when you recognise the installed updater and know that it belongs to your ETKA package.

Step 4: Search for updates

In the update tool, select:

Search updates

The tool should check the installed database levels and compare them with the available update packages.

Step 5: Download the available packages

Allow the updater to download all required data packages.

If the installed database is several versions behind, the updater may need to download and process multiple updates. The total time depends on the number of missing packages, internet speed and computer performance.

Do not close the updater when it appears to pause between packages.

Step 6: Install the updates

Allow the Data tool to install the downloaded packages in the required order.

Do not:

• restart Windows;
• shut down the computer;
• launch ETKA during installation;
• remove the ETKA drive;
• delete temporary update files;
• terminate the updater through Task Manager.

Step 7: Check the result

When the updater reports that the process has completed, close it and start ETKA again.

If the required database levels were installed correctly, ETKA should open without the “Please import updates” message.

How to Update ETKA Prices

The Prices tool updates price information. It does not replace the main Data updater.

After the vehicle databases have been updated successfully:

1. Close ETKA.
2. Return to the Automatic Updates folder.
3. Run Prices.
4. Search for available price packages.
5. Allow the updater to download and install them.
6. Restart ETKA and check the displayed price version.

Price information may differ by country, currency and the database package included with the installation.

What If ETKA Still Requests Updates?

Check every installed brand

ETKA may contain separate databases for Volkswagen, Audi, SEAT, Škoda and other supported brands.

The application can continue displaying the update warning when one installed brand remains below the required level, even if the Audi database is current.

Open the Data updater and check the status of every installed brand.

Run the updates again

A large version gap may require several update cycles.

After completing the first cycle:

1. Close the updater.
2. Open it again.
3. Select Search updates.
4. Install any additional packages it finds.

Repeat this until the updater reports no remaining required data updates.

Check the installed update levels

Compare the update levels reported by ETKA with those displayed by the updater.

If the downloaded packages appear to install but the ETKA database level does not change, the updater may be pointing to the wrong installation directory.

Check available drive space

ETKA updates need space for both downloaded packages and extracted installation files.

A nearly full drive may allow a package to download but prevent it from being unpacked or installed.

Run the correct tool

Use Data for the main parts database. The Prices updater will not normally fix a request to import vehicle data updates.

Restart Windows

If ETKA files remain locked after an interrupted update, restart Windows and run the Data updater before opening ETKA again.

Check the ETKA application version

A database updater designed for one ETKA installation may not work correctly with another version or directory structure.

If ETKA requests an upgrade to a newer application release, such as ETKA 8.6, installing data packages alone may not be enough. The application version and database level must be compatible.

Do not install random patches from unknown websites. Use the files and updater intended for your specific ETKA package.

Common ETKA Update Problems

The updater finds no updates

Check the internet connection and confirm that the updater is using the correct ETKA installation path.

Also verify that your installed package still has access to its update source.

The download stops or fails

Restart the updater and search again. Previously completed packages may not need to be downloaded a second time.

If the same package repeatedly fails, record its name and update number before contacting support.

The update installs but ETKA shows the old database

The updater may have written files to another ETKA directory. Check whether more than one ETKA installation exists on the computer.

The updater requests administrator access

Some installations require administrator permission to modify files inside protected Windows directories.

Use administrator access only with the updater supplied for your ETKA installation.

ETKA asks for version 8.6

This usually indicates that the installed program version is no longer compatible with the required data level. The main ETKA application may need to be upgraded before additional database packages can be installed.

ETKA stopped working after an interrupted update

Restart Windows and run the Data updater again. If the database remains incomplete, repair or restore the ETKA installation using the files provided with your package.

Information to Provide When Requesting Support

If ETKA still does not work, provide:

• the exact ETKA application version;
• the complete error message;
• a screenshot of the update warning;
• the installed data level for each brand;
• the name or number of the update that fails;
• a screenshot of the Automatic Updates window;
• the version of Windows;
• confirmation of available drive space.

This information makes it easier to distinguish an outdated database from an application-version or installation-path problem.

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