FIRMWARE FLASHING

In this guide, we'll explore how to flash new software - the so called "firmware" - onto your ESP32 microcontroller.

Please select your operating system:

• Linux
• Apple macOS
• Windows

Linux

1. Download the firmware image pixelpainter-advent25.bin to your Downloads folder.
2. Connect your ESP32 microcontroller with a micro-USB cable to your computer.
3. Open a Terminal and navigate to your Downloads folder:

   Note: For all terminal commands shown below, enter (or copy/paste!) the command and then press Enter ⏎ to execute it.

   cd Downloads

4. Install esptool:

   pip install esptool

   Note: If pip is not available, you may need to install Python and pip first, or use your distribution's package manager.

5. Erase the flash (WARNING: you will lose all data and programs on your ESP!):

   esptool --chip esp32 erase_flash

   Note: If esptool can't connect to your ESP32 microcontroller, try to press the tiny button on the ESP while the "connecting" dots are displayed in the terminal. If the microcontroller is built into a device, the device must be turned on!

6. Write the firmware image:

   esptool --chip esp32 --baud 460800 write_flash 0x0 pixelpainter-advent25.bin

Apple macOS

1. Download the firmware image pixelpainter-advent25.bin to your Downloads folder.
2. Connect your ESP32 microcontroller with a micro-USB cable to your Macbook.
3. Open a Terminal and navigate to your Downloads folder:

   Note: For all terminal commands shown below, enter (or copy/paste!) the command and then press Enter ⏎ to execute it.

   cd Downloads

4. Install Homebrew:

   /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

5. Install esptool:

   brew install esptool

6. Erase the flash (WARNING: you will lose all data and programs on your ESP!):

   esptool --chip esp32 erase-flash

   Note: If esptool can't connect to your ESP32 microcontroller, try to press the tiny button on the ESP while the "connecting" dots are displayed in the terminal. If the microcontroller is built into a device, the device must be turned on!

7. Write the firmware image:

   esptool --chip esp32 --baud 460800 write-flash 0x0 pixelpainter-advent25.bin

Windows

1. Download the firmware image pixelpainter-advent25.bin to your Downloads folder.
2. Connect your ESP32 microcontroller with a micro-USB cable to your computer.
3. Install Python:
   • Go to https://www.python.org/downloads/windows/
   • Download latest Python for amd64 (e.g., python-3.13.9-amd64.exe) to folder "Downloads"
   • Run the installer and make sure to check "Add Python to PATH" during installation
4. Open a terminal:
   • Press [Windows key + R]
   • Enter "cmd" and click "Ok"
5. Navigate to your Downloads folder:

   Note: For all terminal commands shown below, enter (or copy/paste!) the command and then press Enter ⏎ to execute it.

   cd Downloads

6. Install esptool:

   pip install esptool

7. Erase the flash (WARNING: you will lose all data and programs on your ESP!):

   esptool --chip esp32 erase-flash

   Note: If esptool can't connect to your ESP32 microcontroller, try to press the tiny button on the ESP while the "connecting" dots are displayed in the terminal. If the microcontroller is built into a device, the device must be turned on!

8. Write the firmware image:

   esptool --chip esp32 --baud 460800 write-flash 0x0 pixelpainter-advent25.bin