I was wondering if any of you have experienced the same issue I’m having when trying to update the software via USB. I went to the download page and downloaded both pieces of software, and when I try to install the update is found, then told it’s incompatible. I did verify that what I was downloading matched the version displayed in the system.

 

Post your model id here

 

IF your trying to update GPS, you have to purchase the update from Lexus Parts department. I had tried many times, and finally called the dealership and this is what they told me. They also suggested to just use CarPlay and Waze.
As for a general update of software, I believe it's wireless. It is automatic....but Not 100 percent sure. Technology is hard to keep up with because of so many variables

 

Be aware there was a production date split in the 2020 Multimedia system's firmware support. Production dates through September 2019 had only Apple CarPlay support while production dates October 2019 and later has both Apple CarPlay as well as Android Auto support.

I'm not sure whether the Lexus Software Updates web site is "smart" enough to factor that in using just model year, model type, (no) navigation, and multimedia ModelID. Did you check by VIN or by model year, model type, (no) navigation, and multimedia ModelID?

In looking at the contents of a downloaded .kwi file, it does appear that at the beginning of the file there's what looks like some sort of header block that the multimedia system's software update uses to determine whether that .kwi file is applicable for updating that particular instance of the multimedia system's hardware and firmware combination. Some brief web searching didn't turn up anything on someone cracking the internal file format Toyota/Lexus is using for their .kwi software updates files so there's no ready means of determining why your ES's multimedia system is determining the .kwi update file is incompatible with your ES's system.

 

I did the search by VIN and model year. Both returned the same file.

 

 

Lexus Software Update for a 2020 Lexus ES 350 with Navigation lists two ModelID options - 17LML2NA-DB50 and 17LDL2NA-DB30 - which option did you choose to download and try to use for your ES software update?

The explanatory text for 17LML2NA-DB50 states in part:
and the explanatory text for 17LDL2NA-DB30 states in part:
Look at the current version numbers listed on your ES's Software Update screen - both entries are 1060. Then look at the explanatory text to see what each update will update the version number to: 1150 for the 17LML2NA-DB50 update file and 1163 for the 17LDL2NA-DB30 update file. Per the "VEHICLE INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS" pop up window contents on the Lexus Software Update web site, you won't be able to do a software update to a same or older software version.

All that taken together means if you chose the 17LML2NA-DB50 update file option for your software update download file your ES's software update function will refuse to install that update since that file is an update to a version older than the version already installed in your ES. On the other hand, if you chose the 17LDL2NA-DB30 update file option for your software update download file your ES's software update function won't reject the softwarem update file due to version reasons since that update will be to a newer veersion than that installed in your ES.
​​​​​​​