On this tutorial, I’ll present you how you can flash and replace Betaflight firmware in your FPV drone’s flight controller. I’ll additionally cowl frequent points and troubleshooting suggestions you may encounter in the course of the course of.
Flashing firmware may reset all of your settings to default, so you could must reconfigure your drone from scratch earlier than the primary flight. Observe this step-by-step setup information: https://oscarliang.com/betaflight-firmware-setup/
What Is Flashing Firmware?
Betaflight is the software program that runs in your flight controller, identical to Home windows runs in your PC. Like every software program, new variations are launched with bug fixes, new options, and efficiency enhancements. Putting in a brand new model of Betaflight onto your flight controller is what we name “flashing” the firmware.
Do You Must Flash New Firmware?
Assume twice earlier than updating, particularly for those who’re a newbie.
Updating (flashing) firmware can reset all of your settings, which means you’ll must arrange the drone once more from scratch. Ask your self these questions earlier than flashing:
- Is your quad flying high quality? → If sure, you most likely don’t must replace.
- Are you aware how you can configure Betaflight from scratch? → If not, maintain off for now.
Getting Betaflight Configurator
Betaflight Configurator is the software used to configure and flash your flight controller.
Now you can entry it instantly on-line in your browser — no set up wanted: https://app.betaflight.com/
In case you want the standard desktop model, you’ll be able to obtain and set up it from GitHub: https://github.com/betaflight/betaflight-configurator/releases/newest
Backup First
Earlier than flashing new firmware, all the time again up your current settings. There are a couple of methods to do that, as defined in my backup tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/backup-restore-betaflight-config/.
The best methodology is to go to the Presets tab in Betaflight Configurator and click on “Save Backup” — this can save your present settings in a textual content file.
Connecting the Flight Controller
Plug in a USB cable to your flight controller.
Open Betaflight Configurator. Choose the COM port that corresponds to your flight controller.
Tip: In case you’re uncertain which COM port to pick, unplug and replug your FC — watch which port disappears and reappears within the checklist. That’s the right one.
Firmware Flasher Defined
To flash Betaflight, go to the “Firmware Flasher” tab within the left-hand panel of the Configurator. That is the place you’ll choose your goal board, select a firmware model, and begin the flashing course of.
Selecting the Proper Goal
Each flight controller has a singular firmware goal — this ensures compatibility together with your board’s {hardware} and design.
There are two methods to seek out the best goal:
- Auto-Detect: Click on “Detect” to let Betaflight routinely establish your board.
- Handbook Choice: If detection fails, choose your board manually from the dropdown menu. Yow will discover your board identify by typing
modelwithin the CLI tab (observe directions right here: https://oscarliang.com/identify-betaflight-firmware-target/).
Warning: Flashing the fallacious goal may cause lacking sensors, malfunctioning options, and even brick your FC. If this occurs, you’ll be able to normally recuperate it by following this information: https://oscarliang.com/cannot-connect-to-naze32-brick-fix/
Selecting the Firmware Model
Subsequent, choose the firmware model you wish to flash — normally the most recent secure launch.
In case you’d like to check cutting-edge updates, allow “Present launch candidates” to entry any beta variations that is perhaps obtainable. Nevertheless, proceed with warning: launch candidates (RC) are nonetheless being examined and will include bugs. For many customers, stick to secure releases for reliability.
Flashing Choices Defined
Click on “Allow Knowledgeable Mode” to unlock all obtainable flashing choices. Right here’s what every does:
- No Reboot Sequence: Usually go away this disabled. Most flight controllers routinely reboot into DFU mode when flashing. Allow it provided that your FC fails to reboot appropriately in the course of the flash course of.
- Flash On Join: Go away this disabled. Enabling it is going to routinely begin flashing as quickly as a serial port is detected, however this can bypass the backup reminder.
- Full Chip Erase: Really useful. It fully wipes current configurations to keep away from potential conflicts or leftover settings from older firmware.
- Handbook Baud Fee: Used for boards that don’t assist the default flashing pace or for flashing over Bluetooth. When flashing through USB, simply go away it on the default 256000.
Construct Configuration
Construct Configuration (often known as Cloud Construct System) permits you to customise your Betaflight firmware to incorporate solely the options you really want. This helps reduce firmware measurement, which is essential as a result of the reminiscence on flight controller processors is restricted.
It may not be a giant deal now, however as Betaflight continues to develop in complexity, this function will grow to be more and more helpful. . As I discussed in my FC processor information, F411 and F722 chips have solely 512KB of flash reminiscence. Utilizing Construct Configuration helps make the firmware smaller, prolonging their lifespan.
Default settings may work, however I extremely advocate going by the checklist so as to add/take away options primarily based in your wants.
- Core Solely: Go away this disabled. This feature builds firmware that features solely low-level {hardware} drivers — most Betaflight options will likely be lacking.
- Radio Protocol: Just one receiver protocol will be put in at a time. For ExpressLRS or Crossfire receivers, choose CRSF.
- Telemetry Protocol: For CRSF, go away it as default (telemetry is built-in).
- OSD Protocol: Digital for DJI, Walksnail, or HDZero. Analog for analog FPV system.
- Motor Protocol: Select DSHOT until you may have a particular cause to make use of one other protocol (e.g., for brushed motors or legacy ESCs).
- Different Choices: Allow the options you employ and disable these you don’t. This retains your firmware light-weight and avoids pointless reminiscence utilization.
Listed here are two examples primarily based alone setups:
Analog Freestyle Quad (No GPS):
- LED Strip
- SoftSerial
- VTX (for VTX Desk configuration — solely wanted for analog FPV system)
DJI O4 Professional Lengthy-Vary Quad (With GPS):
- GPS
- Magnetometer
- Altitude Maintain
- Place Maintain
Loading Firmware
When you’re able to flash, click on “Load Firmware [Online]” to obtain the firmware file instantly from Betaflight’s server.
Tip: In case you’ve already downloaded the firmware file elsewhere (for instance, out of your flight controller producer’s web site or from a pal), you should utilize “Load Firmware [Local]” to load that file manually.
As soon as the firmware is efficiently loaded into the Configurator, the “Flash Firmware” button will grow to be obtainable.
Earlier than flashing begins, Betaflight will immediate you to save lots of your CLI textual content file — this acts as a backup of your present configuration. Reserve it someplace protected, then the flashing course of will begin.
Flashing usually takes one to 2 minutes.
Issues with Flashing or Driver Points
In case you’re having hassle flashing firmware, you could must manually put your FC in bootloader mode (often known as DFU mode). Observe this information: https://oscarliang.com/dfu-mode/. To sum it up:
- maintain down the bootloader button whereas connecting the USB cable
- or sort
blin CLI
If that is the primary time you’ve related your flight controller to your PC, you may want to put in the DFU driver so it’s acknowledged appropriately. The best method is to make use of a free software known as ImpulseRC Driver Fixer (obtain it right here), which routinely detects and installs the right driver.
Nonetheless caught? Try my detailed driver troubleshooting information: https://oscarliang.com/fc-driver-issues-flash-firmware/
After Flashing Firmware
As soon as flashing completes, you’ll be able to reconnect to your flight controller by clicking “Join” within the top-right nook of Betaflight Configurator.
You may see a couple of warnings — right here’s what they imply and how you can repair them:
Accelerometer Is Not Calibrated
You may even see: “The accelerometer is enabled however not calibrated.”
Repair:
- Place your drone on a degree floor.
- Go to the Setup tab.
- Click on “Calibrate Accelerometer”.
No Motor Output Protocol Chosen
You may even see: “There isn’t a motor output protocol chosen”.
Repair:
- Go to the Motors tab.
- Beneath ESC/Motor Protocol, select a protocol akin to DShot300 or DShot600, relying in your PID loop fee.
- DShot300 for 4kHz
- DShot600 for 8kHz
- Click on “Save and Reboot” within the backside left nook.
In most fashionable builds, DShot300 and DShot600 are the go-to decisions.
Setup Your Flight Controller
You’ll must arrange your flight controller for the primary flight. Observe my detailed step-by-step setup information right here: https://oscarliang.com/betaflight-firmware-setup/
Conclusion
Flashing and updating Betaflight firmware can appear intimidating at first, however when you perceive how firmware targets, drivers, and bootloader mode work, it turns into a fast and simple course of. All the time again up earlier than flashing, double-check your firmware goal, and take your time — it’s the most secure strategy to preserve your drone flying easily and updated.
Edit Historical past
- Sep 2018 – information created
- Oct 2022 – up to date for BF4.3
- Jan 2023 – up to date for BF4.4
- Nov 2023 – up to date directions
- Nov 2025 – up to date for BF2025.12 (BF4.6)
