Firmware Flashing

How to flash the latest firmware to your device.

Firmware Flashing

Before setting up your device, you may want to ensure it has the latest firmware. You can flash your device at flash.hnl.cc.

OTA Flashing (On-Device, Requires Internet Access and a MicroSD Card)

  • How to use: Open System → OTA in the WebUI, tap Check to look for updates, then tap Start OTA to begin.
  • Behavior: The device downloads the updates for both chips, applies them, and reboots automatically when flashing completes.

Network: The device must have internet access to check for updates and download firmware. Ensure the device is connected to a network with internet access before starting OTA.

Important: OTA updates require a working microSD card in the device for downloading files and certain update paths. If no SD card is present, OTA will be unavailable. Insert and mount a microSD card before attempting an OTA update.

Using the Web Flasher

Browser Compatibility: The web flasher requires a browser that supports WebSerial API. Supported browsers include Chrome, Edge, and Opera. Firefox and Safari are not currently supported.

1. Preperation

  • Open flash.hnl.cc in your webserial-supported browser
  • Plug in one side of your device (either the ATK or RGB side)

Connection

2. Connection

  • Click the “Identify Device” button and follow your browsers prompts to select the correct device (name may differ between browsers and Operating Systems)

Identify device screen with the identify device button surrounded by a square

3. Selection

  • The flasher will automatically detect which side is being flashed, and suggest the appropriate firmware for flashing. After verifying the version you would like is selected, press next to continue

Firmware selection screen with the next button surrounded with a square

4. Flashing

  • Click “Flash Firmware” and wait for the flash to complete
  • If you see a screen indicateing the Flash is complete like below, the flash was a success!

Flash screen with the Flash Complete prompt surrounded with a square

Using the Python Flasher

  • When to use: Use the Python flasher if the web flasher fails or your browser doesn’t support WebSerial.

  • Before you run:

    • Install Python 3.8+ and use a data-capable USB cable.
    • On Windows, install the Silicon Labs CP210x driver if needed. On Linux/macOS you may need serial permissions or sudo.

  • Run:

    python HNL_Flasher.py

  • Overview: The script installs missing Python packages, detects the device, downloads the correct firmware into ./firmware/, prompts you to confirm flashing, writes the firmware, and logs output to logs.txt.

  • Quick fixes:

    • No device found: try a different USB cable/port and check drivers.
    • Permission errors: run with sudo or add your user to the serial group (e.g., dialout).
    • Flash fails: check logs.txt for esptool output, ensure device isn’t used by another program, and retry.

  • Tip: Keep the device connected until flashing finishes; use the web flasher at https://flash.hnl.cc if you prefer a GUI.

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