Ableton Forum

I am trying to upgrade my Push 3 Standalone to Live 12, but I've been experiencing issues that have prevented me from being able to. I've correctly attempted to upgrade by navigating on my Push to
Setup > Software > Upgrade "An upgrade to Live 12 available" > Continue
and then I reach the dialogue that says "To upgrade to Live 12...... visit.. http://push.local/upgrade

(with page being "http://push.local/upgrade"),
From this point onwards, I correctly follow the instructions and visit the page, but I'm met with the black-and-blue webpage with text saying "Return to Push to confirm your authorization" and on my Push 3, it errors out and says "The upgrade process could not be started. Please try again and make sure to choose a valid Live 12 license.

Throughout multiple attempts of trying to upgrade, I occasionally first get a webpage that looks similar to going to the 'Account' section on ableton.com which lists the licenses a user has, but then it flickers and reverts to the page that says "Return to Push to confirm your authorization" -- I'm not sure what I'm supposed to be seeing, or if the issue is originating from my Push 3, my computer, or a problem with Ableton servers.

Further info and what I've tried:
• I own a valid Live 12 Suite license already
• my computer is a MacBook
• I've ensured that both my Push and computer are on the same WiFi, I correctly joined my WiFi network on my Push.
• I've tried upgrading by using my phone with visiting the upgrade page.
• I've authorized my Push
• I've updated the firmware
• I've tried turning it off and on again several times
• I thought the problem might have been a browser/site settings/cookie issue so I tried 2 different browsers and reset site settings as well
• I've tried the same procedure after factory resetting and I'm still getting the "The upgrade process could not be started. Please try again and make sure to choose a valid Live 12 license." error message.

Is there a way I can manually upgrade the push without needing to go to http://push.local/upgrade ?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, or even a point in the right direction if there's something I may be missing.

Thank you!

I am experiencing the same problem. I'm able to successfully authorize Push via "push.local/authorize", but "push.local/upgrade" ends up showing the same error as mentioned by OP.

Push 1.2.21
Ableton Live 11 Suite (11.3.41)
Firmware 1.4.4

mklaurence wrote: ↑

Mon Mar 31, 2025 12:01 am

I am experiencing the same problem. I'm able to successfully authorize Push via "push.local/authorize", but "push.local/upgrade" ends up showing the same error as mentioned by OP.

Push 1.2.21
Ableton Live 11 Suite (11.3.41)
Firmware 1.4.4

I was able to update my Push 3 to 2.1.10 and have it run Live Suite 12.1.10 successfully, but I ended up never being able to do it from the initial procedure that I mentioned in my post. I'll share what I did so it hopefully can help you, or anyone else who might have this same issue and sees, too.

try doing the Recovery Method 2 (found here: https://help.ableton.com/hc/en-us/artic ... standalone) but -- instead of downloading the 2.1.10 'Update' .swu file and messing with http://push.local/update, download the Recovery Image instead; and then manually boot your Push in Recovery Mode off of a USB that's been imaged with that file. For me, the file was `Push3-RecoveryImage-2.1.10.zip`. The Ableton directions in that link are okay enough to follow without too much trouble. you don't have to use BalenaEtcher, but it's probably the most straightforward route.

This wasn't a big deal for me because I've only had my Push 3 for a few days, and only had 2 sets, but make sure you transfer all of your sets/data on the Push into Ableton and save your projects. Booting from the Recovery Image wipes everything, just be careful beforehand.

I reached out to Ableton Support, but the directions they gave me didn't work after multiple attempts. They told me to go to http://push.local/update and input the .swu file that you can get from the download archives (https://www.ableton.com/en/download/archive/), on the webpage where it says "Choose File and Update". My problem with this method was every time I'd have my Push and MacBook connected, I'd be able to choose the .swu file for Push 2.1.10, but then the webpage would say "Updating. . ." and just get stuck for an hour. Even tried multiple browsers and an ethernet connection. push.local has been very unpredictable to say the least! lol

All in all, having to download the recovery image, then flash it into being bootable, and transfer sets then re-download all my packs isn't an ideal solution. but it worked for me.

I just tried the USB drive recovery image route and it worked! Thanks for the info!

mklaurence wrote: ↑

Wed Apr 02, 2025 1:37 am

I just tried the USB drive recovery image route and it worked! Thanks for the info!

Sweeet!! glad it worked for you

For the record, http://push.local/upgrade isn't an internet address its like a local network access to connect your push to your local network/computer. Its wise to disable your VPN if you have one running and, importantly, for both the push and the computer to be on the same level of the network. eg the same router box.

The other part of this upgrade trick is to have your computer also connected to your Ableton account, where you'll see your Ableton Suite serial.

Now, you may have problems with the Push wifi connecting to your network. For large downloads, I usually connect to my router via a 'USB Ethernet dongle'. You plug the dongle into the push, and your ethernet cable between the router and the dongle.

btw you don't need to have Live 12 installed on your computer to update the push to Live 12.