How To "Unbrick" Flight Controller (both ways)

It's technically impossible to "brick a flight controller" (long explanation) but it is possible to lock yourself out. Here are two ways to recover your flight controller.
Replacing processor video if you're interested - • Replacing Flight Contr...
ST-Link V2 (Amazon) - www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01...
ST-Link V2 (Ebay) - rover.ebay.com/rover/1/711-53...
Software for ST-Link V2 - www.st.com/en/embedded-softwar...
Betaflight firmware - github.com/betaflight/betafli...
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Video editor - amzn.to/2n7sUiF
My personal vlog channel - / jcofficial3

[@ADavidHD]

Even now, years later, you are still helping. Thank you deeply. Rest in peace.

[@excellenceinanimation960]

What happen?

[@tangozv4]

Rip bud. Your videos are still helping me till this day and plenty of others

[@gunsmithfiamma4788]

My friend, I will be lost without you!!! Lurked on google for hours, until I reminded of your channel. And you didn't disappoint me, since I was pretty sure that you had this covered already :-) I recovered my SP Racing F3 (Old model without usb on board) that was not responding even in DFU. Used the little ST-link dongle that I had laying around and in 5 minutes my quad is happy again. Thanks a lot bro.

[@EngineerX]

Your videos still helping us solve problems - thanks for all the work. RIP.

[@briancoolman6260]

THANK YOU SO MUCH YOU SAVED ME. I CANT THANKYOU ENOUGH. not only for this video but all your videos you are very thorough with every video. thank you so so much again.

[@CaliforniaOutdoorsman]

Thank you, still helping me out all the time RIP Brother!

[@dvnstone]

It's wild you just made this video. In my recent stooper I managed to disable the USB port,,,, luckily I was able to mastermind this fix on my own. This video with help a lot of panic!

[@cjwintyfpv9657]

Miss your videos, RIP dude.

[@amiyrahmad9551]

thank you i was struggling for 2 hours and finally looked at your video and it worked

[@mrhilma]

Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant. Second STM32 ST-LINK V2 USB method worked for me. You should be a teacher. Thank you for posting. Woodie

[@phatoofperformance6717]

Dude you are the god of this for me. You’ve saved me spending probably about $500 I worship you

[@neojeets]

Another JC video saves my dumb ass again. Thanks forever, bro.

[@mikegraham5050]

Thanks this has been the most comprehensive video on the subject. What if the controller does not have marked CLK or IO pads? (Hglrc 438 OMDF4) would it share other pads in this case? Tx6, Rx6? not much info out there on these locations

[@Mannyhimselff]

I miss you so much. Your video to this day help me out. #RIP

[@jarekbzdak7942]

Thanks to this video, I saved the Omnibus F4 PRO and installed the ArduPilot software. Thanks bro

[@StigBSivertsen]

Thanks for the video😊 Do you know which pins on the processor the clk and data pins goto? I don't have those pins on my SpeedyBee FC...

[@Seamanforever]

Hello, could you indicate me where are located pads to connect ST-link to naze32 rev 6 dof10 board? Compliments for your great videos! Many thanks

[@Susipaddy]

Hi there, I have got the F3 Acro board and mine worked well but suddenly the UART1 is not sending anymore data out to the OSD and I can´t connect to the board anymore or flash it even with the boot pins bridged. Any idea what it could be? Do you think second method could make it work again or something broken? The board itself works so I can fly with it.

[@MaciejWiniarczyk]

Thanks for that, that is very helpful. I have bricked Pixhawk Lite V2 controler, all LEDs are blinking but computer does not recognize it (no sound when connecting to computer), so I need programming tool (which I've ordered). But my problem is that my board has 2 processors (larger one is STM32F427 and smaller STM32F103) and 2 set of pads for programming and I don't know to which one I should connect to. And also not sure if I only need to upload pixhawk bootloader, just to make controler visible to computer or the whole software in my case for quadcopter.

[@MaciejWiniarczyk]

OK, I did some search and it looks like I need to flash the large processor, only need to figure out which set of pads to use, as it's not very clear on the board which pads belong to which processor as tracks are not visible. Probably some continuity checks, should solve the problem.

[@krakenking1597]

man I miss him! just found the channel and wow is it good and I thought Joshua bardwell was good!

[@gpa71]

Hi JC, I'm trying to unbrick a CC3D revolution, with no success... I tried the FTDI/Main Port/ST Demo method... then I tried the ST-Link method described in this video... The flashing process goes through well in both case, but all I got is a solid power led. No status blinking, no windows recognition of the board and of course no connection to Cleanflight configurator. With a multimeter I was able to verify that the processor is being powered with 3.3V. Any thoughts on what I could do? Thanks!

[@Mainekarter2004]

I hope your loved ones come round here, and see all the comments and realize that your loss touched many! GODSPEED

[@TheDroneAngle]

Excellent video. I bought an ST-link V2, found the right pins and connected them. It didn't work. I didn't have any boot markings on the board, so I found one that was named "reset". I've tried connecting the 3.3 volts from the ST-link to it and tried hooking it up to the pin labeled "reset" on the ST-link. I don't have anything labeled 3.3 volts on the board. It's from a Tovsto Falcon 210 and doesn't look like any other board I could fine. Tovsto says it's a SPracing F3 board though. Is there anything else I can do before I just toss it?

[@Cre8ionz.]

Glad i`ve bought the ST-Link V2 a while ago..(didn`t used it for a year or so..) Saved my old SP Racing F3 !

[@yiliang1107]

Hi, May I know how you find the clock pin (or SWC) on SP Racing F3. I cannot find that in my cloned SP Racing F3.

[@edgreene5749]

thanks brother you will be missed

[@cadaver1964]

hey there. You have me almost there!! I have a F3_Evo_Brush controller and am not sure where the clk pin and the input/output pin are. They arent marked as the various ways you mentioned. Any Ideas ?

[@Jgrein3346]

it worked !!! thank you

[@dgkistler]

Why is the ST tool better than using the ST software that is used to re-flash the micro thru USB? I tried the software and still have had no luck on my Naze32. I am wondering if the ST flasher will actually help in addition to what I have already tried. ,

[@Justinl12086]

Thanks for the video

[@Aar0n2009]

So. I bought the st link. It showed up. But I need assistance on where to solder. I can find the 3.3v and ground pads. But no clock pads. HGLRC F722 Mini

[@tommysmith2908]

Outstanding video JC. Can you do one on firmware upgrade to True-D V3? Thank you

[@ProjectBlueFalcon]

I'll have to try to go back a version. I already upgraded. In the meantime you could try Furious FPVs youtube channel. Thats the one I watched on how to upgrade. But I'll see what I can do.

[@tommysmith2908]

Got it! It took a couple of tries. I missed that the default "Mega(ATMEGA1280)" on the XLoader is not what you want. Changed it to "Duemilanove/Nano(ATmega328)" like in the video and it worked fine.

[@tommysmith2908]

Also had to find something to extract a RAR file. Dammit why can't everybody be like me and use zip files. OK, I feel better...

[@h2o-fpv623]

It's a good video thank u.

[@dennisfuente4057]

Blue Falcon i have a flywing H1 board with a 405 chip set on it and i can't access the board with the supplied software windows states usb device failed and no matter what i do i can't get it to connect i have inspected the board it has no marking's on it i have tried to contact the company and after several months no response from them would you have any ideas on how i can fix this board thanks in advance

[@garthkay-hards2427]

One of our group of users of the Kai One Pro drone has unfortunately allowed a new controller phone app he was trying, to update the firmware. He now has no wifi from the phone to drone. His remote is working. Is it possible to extract (backup) the firmware from my drone and transfer it to his FC. Thereby effectively doing a factory reset. Guidance would be appreciated. I wonder how many others have done this trying to find a better app for their drone.

[@godsun358]

Excellent

[@ICYKCBlue]

I have a eachine aurora 90 and i think its bricked... tried follow through but I cant find which flight controller to use.. the OSD said HaloF3 i think.. can you help me fix my drone cause it wont connect to BetaFlight anymore.. please!

[@gwo7610]

this is ecactly what i have done!! thing is i cant seem to put the drone into bootloader mode! it has a bootloader button on the shuriken x1 but it just stays green, what ever i do i cant seem to flash

[@mbalbom]

Hello I Have the F4 Advanced Flight Controller - (MPU6000, STM32F405) how I can find the version of my firmware ? Is it necessary to update the firmware? For my FC what firmware should I look for? Thanks

[@ProjectBlueFalcon]

Just go into Betaflight, then to the CLI and type version It will tell you what flight controller firmware it uses and what version of firmware is on it. If it doesn't let you in Betaflight then it has Cleanflight firmware on it. Go to Cleanflight and do the same thing.

[@blakeswitzer8181]

THANK YOU

[@DangerDavefpv]

so since i accidenly turned my comm port off and now after flash it saids failed to open serial port

[@415bryant]

So on my omnibus F3 I can connect it to BF but when I try and flash the board the comport I'm using wont come up? So when I hit the bootloader button it wont let me flash? Any ideas? Thanks.

[@MjCChannel-ps9dr]

same issue here - did you sort it out at all?

[@415bryant]

No nothing just moved on to another one

[@eagleeye0024]

Omnibus F4 V3 can't get it to be recognized as a USB device. I ensured I held the button for bootloader mode prior to plugging in USB but still nothing.

[@simonc6758]

Hey, I have 2 brand new Omnibus F4 pro v2 but both of them are stuck, not recognized on Windows. They both display solid green led and buzzer beeps continuously. Do you have any idea ?

[@dallasneudorf]

Did you fix this?

[@HabibRobert]

Hello... I've been trying for a week to gain access to my flight controller after I accidentally attempted to flash it with the wrong firmware (I saw the error a millisecond before I pressed on enter but my hand was already there). I have an immersionRC Vortex 180 which uses a Synergy v4.0 flight controller and OSD (both on the same board). It has no pins but a ribbon cable that plugs into the main PCB. The solder pads have no identification at all. After I attempted to flash the wrong firmware, it just hung up for over 4 hours. Eventually I had no choice but to unplug it. When I connect it now, I see in the device manager of Windows that the OSD part of the ImmesionRC USB to UART connects perfectly but the flight controller part does not. The OSD loads perfectly but I can't control it since my Taranis X9D can't move the pitch and roll stick to go into the OSD. I lost all access to the flight controller. As soon as I turn it on I get on the OSD the message: "Flight Controller Error". I've been trying everything that occurs to me to access the flight controller but I have been totally unsuccessful. It was connecting perfectly to BetaFlight and CleanFlight before this. Now it doesn't. I thought it was totally bricked until I saw your video today. Neither Betaflight, CleanFlight or even Vortex's own flasher can see the flight controller so I can reflash it with the proper firmware. Maybe you won't have the answer... I mean, only an idiot flashes the wrong firmware... But it won't hurt to ask: Is there anything I can do ?

[@locksmith9580]

I have the same problem with sprscingf3 board. Now I can’t reflash it because the target doesn’t exist. I have the firmware. But I can’t update it on betaflight. Did u find a solution?

[@timothylowe8567]

Hey JC, awesome video! I love repairing flight controllers, when I get my hot work flow station I'm going to try it! I am extremely interested in building/repairing quads. I am inspired by you to go to school for electrical engineer. I want to start a KZbin channel, but at the same time, I want to be able to do Quadracing/freestyle, educational videos, like you. My question is, how can I do what I love, help people, push ideas, and make enough money to eat, without sounding like I'm in it for money. I'm just in a career change and if there is a way I can live my dream and help others, and stay afloat? I would love to be helping on development, assembly, or anything else I could help you with! I hope I can become an asset to this hobby/community and my mentor/inspiration! Projectbluefalcon​ Thank you!

[@KroceBow]

Hi, I'm new to drones and I think I've bricked my FC, it's a F3 evo brushed, what I did is I flashed the firmeware without soldering the boot pads, if the boot pads are not jumped windows gives me Unknown usb device, if they are jumped then I get a solid red led and I can flash new firmeware but that's it, I can't connect to the FC. The same happened to another board it's the HappyModel Eachie 32bit acro naze, except this one doesn't work at all... I wanted to buy the ST-Link V2 but I noticed that I don't have the SWC & SWD on my FCs, any ideas on how to solve it or are they dead? Thanks.

[@Ziperino]

Hey, did you solve your problem or did you just buy a new one ?

[@yiliang1107]

Hi , I have the same question, did you find SWC on your FCs?

[@rabunfpv]

Do you have tutorial video for halo F3 OSD fligh control.

[@titanesteam]

he passed away a few years ago

[@PittsburghPete26]

Do I need that software for a Mac?

[@duvernaychristophe2544]

TOP ..... Thx for this :-)

[@gnormanhayes]

r.i.p jc u like to go fast 2 much me to really miss you bro

[@sagem711]

Hi i followed your process, but then after flashing my fc the red LED is still on and cant connect it to betaflight Please help...

[@darkshadowsx5949]

you shouldn't need that st link. STM32 demonstrator does the same thing. I had a naze where i blew a diode after shorting the wrong pins instead of boot. after a replacement i used STM32 to re-flash it because cleanflight wouldn't. then used cleanflight to get a working version of the firmware. newest version locks it up. I also have a SPRacingF3 that locked up after a crash so I'll be replacing the processor on that one. this hobby is getting interesting when i have to use another hobby to save money and keep it going. one guy in a forum was trying to tell me that these things are very complex when in reality they are pretty damn simple and easy to fix when you have the right tools and parts.

[@achmadnofandi5148]

Mine doesnt work with STM32 demonstrator, any idea how to fix it?

[@flixboi6741]

Does anybody know why: When I press the boot button on my FC, it still says no response from the bootloader

[@herypratama8195]

I have followed your method, but it is still in dfu mode. how to fix it

[@mohitnaik604]

This video helped me today But really bros , is he gone , im feeling sad

[@user-oz2wm9qf3l]

Hi. I can not connect. "Can not connect to target! Pleasse select "Connect Under Reset" mode from Target-> Settings menu and try again. If you're trying to connect to a low frequency application, please select a lower SWD Frequency mode from Target-> Settings menu. " Advise what to do.

[@user-oz2wm9qf3l]

When connected to the USB, the controller blinks but is not detected in the system.

[@user-oz2wm9qf3l]

My controller is CC3D REVO F4 STM32F405 ru.aliexpress.com/item/Raceflight-Betaflight-CC3D-REVO-F4-STM32F405-Flight-Controller-With-Vbat-Buzzer-For-RC-Multirotor-Parts/32735178937.html?spm=2114.13010608.cb0001.6.8OsmJu&scm=1007.13441.37946.0&amp%3Bpvid=16493367-9c5e-4e2f-829d-94fc556eb17a&amp%3Btpp=1

[@YevgenShevchenko]

But you can connect USB-UART converter to that other serial port with MSP enabled, can't you? Isn't that simpler?

[@ProjectBlueFalcon]

You could but thats not the only way to lock up a flight controller. And if someone doesn't know how to unlock a flight controller they more than likely dont know what they did to lock it up. Either way flashing new firmware will fix the problem for most people, if not then the second way is a sure fire fix.

[@anton4x468]

СПАСИБО !!!

[@aarons7836]

i have a mac so i cant download that. what do i do?

[@flixboi6741]

Even when I press the boot button, Betaflight still says no response from bootloader, programming failed

[@Umarzaman8400]

I locked up my boar aurora.rc v2 can u Google this name and give me some tips for this board thanks

[@leer.watson4673]

Still waiting for the video to fix a FC that lights up but does not connect to computer and every single driver has been downloaded along with ImpulseRC. Specifically for an Omnibus F4. People keep making videos and assume these locked up FC’s can connect to Betaflight. However, they don’t!

[@joefisher9418]

What do you do when your USB broke off? I've tried connecting via UART1 and a linker to no avail. Any ideas?

[@ProjectBlueFalcon]

I'll figure something out and do a video on it

[@Gloch9]

joe fisher Josh Bardwell just put a video out in that today.

[@joefisher9418]

Hey, thanks!

[@highwaltage]

joe fisher ftdi usb. uart 1 pins. unless you fried the usb chip too. but ive gotten my naze32 rev6 to connect via uart1 pins and ftdi adapter with an overheating usb chip. if you had telemetey setup you could try those pins...

[@Seamanforever]

Hello Killag, my naze32 rev 6 dof 10 don't work...I can connect it to BF but can't flash it...I think boot loader pins are erased...Is there a similar method like this video to connect boot loader via ftdi usb? thanks

[@FredoCorleone]

I'm so sad at the moment. He was a cool guy

[@sergiocclopes]

... still helping me out:

[@mikegraham5050]

Damm, I'm behind the curve here... RIP

[@thezerklegacy6555]

Brother, I will remember you

[@OrangePearl]

ur a fucking live saver

[@LockJawFPV]

Mines so bricked it won't even connect to betaflight it's a brand new wizard 220x can't get it to reboot or boot load whatever it's called every step in this industry you need 15 degrees it's crazy hopefully that now it's getting more popular someone will start to simplify this stuff we're not all rocket scientist lol

[@MyJam1981]

Just flashed the wrong target to a crazybeef4 now usb not recognised in boot loader 😭

[@locksmith9580]

How did u fix. I bricked my spracingf3 board and I can’t update the firmware because it doesn’t show in the list of targets

[@MyJam1981]

@@locksmith9580 I'm sure I force flashed it back to the correct one saw a vid on here some where

[@tomwronski1897]

I did this :(

[@sirBumpyCase]

Bruh I accidentally cleared uart 1 tx fml smh lol