Abstract: The invention relates to a controller (1) for controlling a component (10) of a motor vehicle, in particular an electric motor, a valve, a pump, a fan drive, in particular for HVAC applications or for drive system temperature control, having a processor (30), preferably a microcontroller (40), and an interface (20) that is designed such that a software update is able to be received, in particular applied, by way of the interface (20). It is proposed for the controller (1) to have a blocking mechanism that, when it is activated, prevents the software update from being applied, wherein the blocking mechanism is able to be activated in a time-controlled, event-controlled and/or signal-controlled manner.