Three ways to flash OpenTX (how to recover bricked controller)

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If you bricked your OpenTX controller, here is how to recover it. If you need to flash OpenTX to your radio, here are three different ways of getting it done, and why you might want to choose each one.
Download ImpulseRC Driver Fixer at:
bit.ly/2GBLvwh
(This is a raw .EXE file download so your virus scanner might freak a bit but it's ok.)
Here's how to transfer models from one OpenTX radio to another:
• How to transfer models...

[@ivanzemskov6323]

I literally bricked mine today and it’s brand new and I’m in awe this is the only tutorial I can find to fix it and it came out 20min ago.... the gods want me to fly today

[@Name-fh4cc]

I had to do this on mine as well like 2 days ago, this defenetly would have helped... the gods didnt want me to fly that day. (it took like 4 hours)

[@MarshFPV]

That's hilarious

[@franknicholas5399]

Doesn't sound like you bricked it. Bricking indicates unrecoverable. Sounds like you recovered the radio.

[@EraZz187]

i saw it after i got it to work again ^^ ...first time activated the Bell because of the last seconds of the video :D

[@radmoore4998]

Saved mine! Last one I didn't know that one done the trick thanks josh!!

[@alanchipolina6156]

Total noob to fpv, bricked my taranis x9d+ today after 3 days of ownership. Dfu mode has saved it. Thankyou. And yes, I watched the video to the very end!

[@johanbergkvist8834]

Your well-paced, well produced, in-depth, step-by-step how-to and review videos are the best. No one has helped me more than you, Joshua, to start flying quads. I am now one of your Patreon supporters; you have indeed earned it and then some.

[@TheMotoCircus]

still works in 2024 March 21st. my boxer decided to not power on, flashed SD card and used the T1+T4+Power button trick to reveal the write firmware on the screen.... Thanks JB!!! I did admittingly smack my radio up a bit as if she was bein naughty, an needed some love slaps, prior to seeing this solution here

[@Graeme758]

My TX16S arrived yesterday. I updated it today, then did it again because I had chosen a setup option in error. And bricked it. Method 3 fixed. Huge thanks. Having loaded different custom roms on my phones for years I sort of expected there to be an unbricking method. Having been watching your videos for a couple of months I sort of expected I would find it here.

[@Pietropit90]

It was great to remember the DFU way. I did one time without knowing what i was doing and the radio, come back to life but then i have forgot how i did. Thanks for remember me this way will save a radio of a friend.

[@terry12327]

Amazing being the guru of TX... As a doctor or mechanical worker...sometimes the item is too far gone to fix... The broken is broken. So without the full ability to have to take it all apart and replace what is bad... Well, you are just a diagnosis doctor! So you are just a good diagnosis doctor and that is still an amazing ability on any project...

[@NicksMind21]

WOW JB, this is sooo weird. Just last night, I was working on setting up my TX16S, my 1st step in moving away from my X9D+. In that process I bricked my X9D+ just 10 hours ago, I was able to get it back up. Then you release this video. CRAZY...

[@alexbringhurst8881]

Oh man, you just saved my bacon. I was trying to update my firmware to EdgeTx 2.8 and somehow bricked my Radiomaster TX16S. Your 3rd option recovered it and it actually loaded the latest version of firmware, somehow. Phew!

[@johnmcdonald751]

JB I was really really just giving up on the jp t16 pro I literally gutted it meaning I took everything out of it gutted ugh!!!! The last thing I tried was go see what jb says about radio wont turn on nothing no matter what i took apart installed un installed etc.... this dfu option did the trick i was literally about ready to trash it Im glad i thought of you you da man thank you!!!!!

[@paulpaws]

Thanks Joshua. The 3 methods mention , I already knew. Not sure if you know that you can still update bootloader on radios, after copying the firmware to the SD and updated as per normal (your method 1). Press and hold SYS to go into the radio menu and select folders and then selecting the firmware folder, follow by the firmware file, this will let you flash the bootloader to the radio only. Only my 2 cents & again thanks for all the great / informative videos. 👍

[@ledsled01]

I only knew the second way, You are a treasure to this hobby.

[@TheGrabist]

Dude... I been trying to upgrade my OpenTX via the Companion app for a few hours now till I saw this video where you just put the BIN in the SD CARD... brilliant - thanks :)

[@rx7learner]

Thank YOU!!!! I went to upgrade my Cinewhoop with my radio USB charging on the same PC and boom... I flashed my radio in betaflight with the flight controllers firmware and bricked it... till I found your video... thanks JB you came to the rescue!

[@kennkeck1963]

True companions to not have a single thumbs down, that's never seen ever by me, true thanks for what Johnny once said need input! Rock on JB

[@BryceDechert]

My upgrading issues came from Windows and bad DFU drivers, thanks for the suggestion on using the ImpulseRC driver fixer tool - solved all my issues! Link seemed to be broken in the description, but found on the Impulse site.

[@douglaswayne8852]

I love you bardwell, I also love how it feels like you're vaguely hiding how bad you want to be a smartaz to some of us (me) more 'experienced' pilots who are just plain ignorant to the more simple/mundane tasks that occur in this hobby! Keep up the amazing work! Most of us wouldn't be here without you!

[@0Swam0]

Number three just saved me; thanks so much, Josh.

[@MrApache64AH]

Joshua, you're a lifesaver, my TX16S would not go into boot loader mode via the Trims etc. so the DFU mode worked..!! thank again, keep up the good work.!!

[@jonathanpalaisy608]

Bricked my X-lite from leaving it plugged into pc overnight and the third option fixed it!! Thanks Bardwell!!

[@skrswift]

All hail Joshua Bardwell you have saved my arse...I had issues during the Edge upgrade only got part way through before it went belly up..then you came along the rest is history.

[@m4st3rl4gfpv5]

You just saved my flying session, controller had stopped working for no reason, this fixed it.

[@Life-In-Bits]

Thanks Joshua. Somehow I've managed to flash BetaFlight onto my radio due to multiple DFU devices on the USB bus. Word of warning to others, your Taranis will happily accept a DFU flash of BetaFlight. This worked to get my radio going again!

[@menhirbell]

Thanks a lot Joshua... it was impossible for me to update de firmware in my new radiomaster TX16s , companion showed me a message that was unable to write the firmware in the card that was in the radio so I follow your procedure number 1.. WORKS PERFECT

[@shanesdiy]

Haha, loved the Ferris Bueller reference at the end. Nice.

[@Zinadene69]

Hi Joshua, You probably get this a lot but it never hurts to hear compliments more than once, right! Its always a pleasure watching your YT posts. You always give all the required info and if you don't you explain why. I want to thank you for your energy and enthusiasm for doing this. Keep it up. SteveP

[@pauloeugeniooliveira5084]

Nice. I was surprised my Zorro RC bricked from nowhere and allthough I had to use the EdgeTX Buddy, the process was basically the same and the remote is back to life!! Great!!!

[@firegoods6614]

You truly are the man! Just got back into this hobby after many years hiatus so I was VERY disappointed when I killed it trying to flash a new bootloader version. Not only did you save my radio with DFU mode, but you said you got me an upgraded bootloader to boot (pun intended). Very happy to click your SUBSCRIBE button.

[@onemanmob6756]

Thank you masta! I'm a total noob and didn't know any of these 3 methods... I really appreciate that a pro, like yourself, creates so many, so good tutorials for ppl who just start their adventure with this hobby! Keep 'em coming!

[@GoodYearForLiving]

Thanks for your expertise! You've unbricked my jumper T-lite. I didn't know of this third method for flashing firmware. I scrubbed forums looking for information on how to fix my radio not powering up (still has blue power LED on when plugged in via USB. It appears that many jumper t-lite radios out there are having this issue where the radio bricks and cannot power on. Anyone trying to connect their jumper T-lite to openTX Companion make sure to use version 2.3.12 or later as this release has support for the jumper T-lite radio.

[@DidinAhmadi]

Hi Kevin, I'm having this problem now, may I ask a original firmware for jumping T Lite? I dont have any backup of it. thx

[@GoodYearForLiving]

@@DidinAhmadi www.jumper-rc.com/download/t-lite/

[@DMDphotography]

I got it using method 3. Thanks so much. I had a bit of trouble but got there eventually thanks to this, so thanks a lot.

[@lawrencemartin8205]

Thank you joshua. I learned something today. I never knew any of this about how to flah open TX to radio. Thank you so much for what you do for us all in the FPV community .

[@pawncow]

A suggestion would be to defined the acronym--DFU stands for Device Firmware Upgrade. It was news to me since I've never had to update a phone or other device using it, so I did a little reading and learned pretty much what you are teaching since it also has uses on many types of devices. Thanks for the great videos! Ron

[@RAW00815]

Very good tutorial. I used it to flash my Radiomaster TX18s to a Jumper T18 2.3.8 and then updated it to a Jumper T18 2.3.12 - where I finally found the DSM X11ms script for Spektrum receivers. Now I am going to bind - keep your fingers crossed that it works!!!

[@robertv1273]

I can not believe that I did not know or could not have fathemed about the nuclear option #3. I fried my radio a few months ago as careful as I am I get confused about what goes into the to the open tx app and what goes into the radio and as careful as I try and be I bricked my radio. I just assumed I ruined it or would never be able to bet it right again so I got another one and this time I have not put a cable in the top of it,I just remove the sd card as a rule. Your #3 nuked it back and it is working really well. Thank you so so much its always nice to have a spare I still can't believe it your awsome...

[@alwayshathbeen3340]

I really really appreciate this video specifically. JB is a good human being.

[@IvanRicondoBonachea]

I bricked a X9D.... and I have recovered it!!! Thanks a lot...

[@alexspitzner]

This video may be two years old but holy cow do I love you joshua!!!

[@keahibustamente1635]

Your DFU version saved me! Mahalo Joshua!

[@michaelsabin191]

Finally, Someone who knows how to make a training video! To the point and well presented information. Many thanks!

[@stevewilson2475]

I appreciate all the knowledge you share.. eg. Too many DFU connected to computer, and how to proceed, but sometimes I would just like the meat and potatoes of the video. Guess I may be impatient and simply want to learn the basics to get er done.. Thanks Mr. Big Brain.

[@padillaz]

Flashing through DFU mode worked for me after bricking my 2019 X9D by flashing it using the first method. Thanks again JB!

[@PhilipWhiteside]

Method 1 - 1:30 - SDCard & bootloader mode via trim switches Method 2 - 6:03 - OpenTX companion Method 3 - 10:00 - DFU

[@carlwatson-grant4773]

Did not know DFU Mode but I was able to unbrick my TX16S to EDGE TX just now using that method!!!

[@bretsheffer8263]

12:35 - Figured it out!!!!!!!!!!!!! I think my problem was 1 of 2 things; i had my cable plugged into the left side while another usb (not connected to anything) was plugged in to the right side with nothing attached to it. I removed the cable from the right and also switched my usb to the right side.

[@manojitmajumder6886]

thank you! the one worked out. Its really frustrating the radio doesn't work.

[@darkness0334]

Knew all about the msdcard method and the usb/companion method, but didn't know ANYTHING about that DFU mode.. Totally learned something today! Thanks!

[@arlemooldijk1595]

DFU mode is even recommended by the developers of OpenTX 😉

[@CgitEinsteins]

thank you for dfu mode

[@Youtub54965642464862]

Great video! Got here from RadioMaster support for my bricked TX16S. Used 3rd method and now it's working again. Thanks a lot!

[@peacequest69]

I've learned something today: The nuclear option brings back from the death ! haha I didn't know the DFU method, thanks Joshua :)

[@kjsj2304]

Hi Joshua A great discriptive video about open tx .Never heard before and all the methods were fantastic. Yes Joshua I am one of those who watches your videos till the end in search of the last bit of knowledge explained by you .Thanks a lot for a great video

[@andrewcarey4841]

Thanks Joshua, I was sweating for a few minutes when the firmware update had an SD card error. Reformated SD card and used DFU firmware upload. Worked great Thanks again

[@finkelmann]

A tip for anyone with a bricked QX-7 - contrary to any and all videos i've seen on the subject, the ACCESS version won't boot well with any companion version below 2.3.1. I just spent a whole f'ing day trying to de-brick my controller, from DFU mode to removing internal batteries - and turns out i just had to update to the latest 2.3.9 app. Hopefully i save someone from the hassle i just went through :)

[@bretsheffer8263]

Thanks Joshua Bardwell!

[@fpvnme4845]

Dude crazy man my Radiomaster just bricked today no idea why .. this is a god send THANK YOU

[@bjenn65]

Used your method of using the dfu with the driver app and it worked perfectly

[@grayback1857]

Thanks. Third one was new

[@wb4guk]

Very nice presentation. Method three was new to me. Thanks.

[@raffman4266]

Great job sir JB!!! Kudos to your channel

[@HDBoy]

Thank you for the suggestion to DFU mode - it was an only one way to upgrade my FrSky QX7

[@Puddintaint210]

I needed this video 6 months ago when i flashed the wrong FW and my radio buttons were all caddywampus!

[@genghiskiller]

One more time, you saved my life.... Thanks a lot!

[@FreelojoFPV]

I had seen the 1st 2 options but hadn't seen number 3 been looking for this one for a while now thank you very much for posting it

[@Donp1949]

I knew & have used all three methods, but this was a good review.

[@Skippyasyermuni]

I recently managed to brick my TX16S (ELRS version) after flashing. I was able to flash using method 3, but the radio still did not turn on. I was finally able to resolve it by deleting the RADIO and MODELS folders on the sd card.

[@friendlyfireentertainment]

Who else noticed he is running a 32gb card in his radio? 😂 An Informative and thorough video as always, I had heard of the first two ways before but not the third, very interesting.

[@DMARZFPV]

Thanks bruh. just flashed betaflight to my QX7 by mistake and like always you are a life saver. Thanks

[@1983sccoupe]

I did not know all three ways. Thanks !!

[@wrstew1272]

Not even close to knowing. Bought a X-light because most whoops are mostly FrSky compatibles, and figured that it was inevitable that I would have to learn how to program. My JR radios come ready to go, use for years without any problems.........never heard anything about bricking till I started to learn FrSky and open source. I guess an old dog is still having to learn new tricks. Crossing fingers while plunging into system

[@rabidbydesign]

ive started to always use dfu mode. its the best when messing with nightlies and such. i did know all the methods but i still enjoy watching a thorough bardwell video.

[@JohnSmith-xl9bo]

Great demonstration. I followed your instructions and it worked perfectly!

[@duraesc]

Thanks man, my Taranis 2019 is back to life !👏👏👏

[@LumpyFPV]

Thanks JB! Super helpful as always.

[@scrc511]

Thanks for the great Vid. For me, I think flashing it on the DFU mode is kinda new to me but had a pretty good idea as I used to update old iPhones on DFU mode to get it restored. Same principle.

[@bleeksbentbits3150]

A friend recently had troubles with his Taranis X9D owned since new & about 5years old.... He hit the forums & looked everywhere, tried (nearly) everything, changing memory cards, updating via memory card, even DFU- certainly tried the 3options you suggested, but no go kept coming up with a warning before shutting down again- something about running out of memory or memory error.... "Have you changed or checked the internal clock battery?" I asked.... Battery voltage was 0.3volts... He changed it out, put original memory card & original folders back in, powered it up & only thing needed doing was resetting the time & date... Sometimes it's the simplest of things & a watch battery is far cheaper than a the new transmitters he was looking at! ;)

[@marshal7102]

Ok!!!! So Sorry for that,,,, I Got it back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH,,,,After finnaly getting it flashed the first time it did not work, but with the proper firmware its back to normal THANKS AGAIN

[@segpie]

Knew them all but this video will help many. Well done Joshua.

[@bertbeinaaf8314]

The DFU mode update method was new to me. Great info👍

[@ronaldonogueira74]

Didn't know the DFU method, I always learn something from your videos, thanks

[@edwardskerness9226]

Clear, concise, got me back! I did exactly what you said, I had Taranis Profile. Thought, oh man. Thank you!

[@abimaputra]

Thanks Josh. This is really helpful tips

[@MrRoscoePColtrain]

Joshua, I really did Brick my Brand New Radiomaster TX16S max. It will not to on. Here's what my Radiomaster did the last time I turned it on. I pushed the start button, the 6 buttons on top act just like they always have but the screen stayed completely white, no splash screen or anything, the light by the switch was a really dull greenish gray and as soon as I took my finger off of the switch everything went off. I thought maybe the battery was getting low so I tried two 2s batteries from my goggles and it did the same thing. I charged the battery that was in it most of the night and when it was charged I put it in and it does the same thing. So when I push the power button the 6 orange lite buttons go back and forth 8 times the led under the power button is a greyish dull turquoise and the screen is completely white until I take my finger off of the button and everything goes off. I tried to use flash-multi and it couldn’t read, write or erase, I had it install the drivers (two of them), still won’t recognize the radio, didn’t create a STM serial port. I also tried Impulse-RC and Zadig and that didn’t help. It did light up the 6 orange switches then stopped with the first one on when I plugged in the USB cable. Sense the Radio won’t go on I am not sure how to change anything. Yes I already knew this stuff but your videos are always good. I signed up for your Patron account, not sure if I did it right. The Discord stuff is confusing but I will worry about that later as I really need to unbrick my radio. Can you help me or did I really mess it up>

[@JoshuaBardwell]

Hi, Bob, So far I haven't seen a RadioMaster that wouldn't take a flash, unless it was physically damaged. It seems like you've tried everything, but not everything you're trying is the right thing -- for example, Flash-Multi is used to flash the internal RF module, not the OpenTX operating system. Email me [e-mail] and let's discuss more.

[@sebcbien263]

Saved my radio with the third solution ! Thanks Josh !

[@waell4931]

Hi Thank you , you learn me the DFU mode

[@danasrc1684]

Thanks for your work, for all radiomaster upgrades, and options 👍

[@alanlow6195]

Thanks Joshua! You saved my bricked radiomaster !!!

[@dpgargus]

You are the man Joshua... thank you so much for sharing... no much more... educating!

[@obxphillyfpv7435]

This saved my radio thank you sir

[@JoeMommaFPV]

One Time I bricked my radio by accidentally flashing betaflight to it. I left my radio plugged in after running on the sim and it was turned off. Apparently that makes the pc see it as a dfu device. So I was also flashing my fc to the newest betaflight. I plugged in with the button pushed and went to BF. all looked fine so I proceeded to flash my fc. I tried it once and then plugged in normally to put my diff in place but it never changed. Same version of bf same settings in place. Tried this 3 times and it never changed. After awhile of scratching my head I realized that I left the radio plugged in and I unplugged it and flashed my fc, this time it worked. Went to turn on my radio test the new FW and make sure everything was functioning, and the radio was was bricked! Wouldn't do anything,wouldn't turn on, nothing. It was not a fun time trying to figure out how to get it back and flash while the radio is turned off and battery is unplugged. I still to this day don't remember how I fixed it exactly.

[@marshal7102]

Thanks again You saved my Radio

[@elomnusk187]

my computer is not recognising the radio. but it makes the plugins sound

[@CaionoAr]

Hey man, start fpv because of your videos, great work My first fpv radio lost connection to my drone and i cant bind it anymore, it is a tx16s In the Module Status shows : No MULTI_TELEMETRY detected if you dont have time to reply its fine, keep it up

[@JoshuaBardwell]

No telemetry detected means the radio isn't talking to the internal module. Did you flash the module or do anything to the radio before it happened? If not, then damage to the module might explain it.

[@CaionoAr]

​@@JoshuaBardwell thank you for your message. Yes, i think the internal module is bad, will buy another one or try to rma with bangood

[@Trev740]

Truly fantastic information thank you

[@nonplayercharacter9653]

This is gold content. Glad you got it out there man.

[@bashka_if6525]

I accidentally installed betaflight on T12 Radio once. ofc it didn't fly well ) (I tried to update firmare on my Mobula7 drone and did not noticed Jumper T12 Radio pluged to USB at the same time.) eventually I used OpenTX Companion to upload firmware to radio and it was back with no problems.

[@gregorydonaldsonsr5930]

I just got this transmitter and bricked it . I watcher 5 vid on how to it they didn't work .YOU AER THE MAN THANK YOU!!

[@iancurry8504]

Josh, Thanks a million. You are a star!

[@alexisartus3323]

Despite having tried all those methods, my TX16s still refused to start...only fixed blue led, no start logo even. I could just go to boot loader screen but that served nothing as I tested flashing and reflashing different firmware and methods (DFU, Bootloader screen, SD) without success...Radiomaster Support? Well I tested also and I prefer say nothing...The only thing that saved my day was...: the good old method of flushing capacitors. The method? Could not be more simple: remove batteries->click start button for at least 10s->let the RC without batteries for 24h...and then...it started again. Radiomaster support, it's gift for you...

[@Michael-ne6iv]

Your channel is so informative! I don't know what happened to my radio, but it has no firmware to write. The models are still in there and the images are still in there. Everything else is gone. Joshua, I have watched your videos many times and I just can't figure out how to do it please help . Thanks what you doing so much.

[@theobuiatti6420]

Thank you sooooo much, method 3 works!!