Flashing Meshtastic Firmware

Overview

Flashing firmware is how you install or update the Meshtastic software on your device. Thanks to the web flasher, this is now incredibly easy - no coding or command line required.

Before You Start

Check Your USB Cable

This is the #1 issue people have! Many USB cables are charge-only and don’t carry data. If your device isn’t detected:

1. Try a different cable
2. Use the cable that came with your device
3. Test with a known data cable

Identify Your Device

Know exactly which device you have:

• Heltec V3 (not V2!)
• LilyGo T-Beam (note the version: Supreme, S3, etc.)
• RAK WisBlock (specify core module)

Using the wrong firmware can brick your device.

Flashing Process

Step 1: Open the Web Flasher

Go to flasher.meshtastic.org in Chrome or Edge.

Step 2: Select Your Device

1. Click “Select Device”
2. Choose your exact device model from the list
3. If unsure, check the markings on your board

Step 3: Connect Your Device

1. Plug in your device via USB
2. Click “Connect”
3. Select the correct serial port from the popup
   • Usually shows as “CP210x” or “CH340” or similar

Device not showing?

• Try a different USB port
• Check your cable (see above)
• On Windows, you may need to install drivers

Step 4: Flash the Firmware

1. Select the firmware version (usually “Stable” for most users)
2. Click “Flash”
3. Wait for the process to complete (1-3 minutes)
4. Do not disconnect during flashing!

Step 5: Verify

After flashing:

1. Your device should reboot automatically
2. The screen should show the Meshtastic logo
3. It will display firmware version and node info

Troubleshooting

”No device found”

1. Try a different cable - Most common issue
2. Install drivers -
   • CP210x drivers
   • CH340 drivers
3. Try a different USB port - Front ports are sometimes unreliable
4. Restart your browser - Web Serial can be finicky

”Flash failed” or “Write error”

1. Hold the BOOT button while connecting
2. Try flashing again
3. If repeated failures, device may need recovery mode

Device bricked / won’t boot

1. Hold BOOT button
2. Press and release RESET while holding BOOT
3. Release BOOT after 2 seconds
4. Try flashing again

Wrong firmware flashed

If you accidentally flashed the wrong device type:

1. Your device may not boot properly
2. Use the recovery steps above
3. Flash the correct firmware

Alternative Methods

esptool (Command Line)

For advanced users or if web flasher fails:

# Install esptool
pip install esptool

# Erase flash
esptool.py --chip esp32s3 erase_flash

# Flash firmware (download .bin files first)
esptool.py --chip esp32s3 write_flash 0x0 firmware.bin

Meshtastic Flasher App

A desktop app that provides similar functionality:

• Download from Meshtastic downloads page
• Good backup option if web flasher has issues

After Flashing

Your device is now running Meshtastic, but it needs configuration:

1. Connect the app - Download the Meshtastic app (iOS/Android)
2. Pair via Bluetooth - Your device will broadcast as “Meshtastic_XXXX”
3. Initial setup - Set your region (US), name, etc.

Continue to the Initial Setup Guide for next steps.

Keeping Updated

Meshtastic releases updates regularly. To update:

1. Check meshtastic.org for new versions
2. Follow the same flashing process
3. Your settings are usually preserved (but backup first!)

We recommend updating when:

• Security fixes are released
• You’re having issues that might be firmware-related
• New features you want are available