On this tutorial, I’ll present you the way to flash and replace Betaflight firmware in your FPV drone’s flight controller. I’ll additionally cowl widespread points and troubleshooting ideas you would possibly encounter through the course of.
Flashing firmware would possibly reset all of your settings to default, so it’s possible you’ll must reconfigure your drone from scratch earlier than the primary flight. Comply with 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 all 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 Have to Flash New Firmware?
Suppose twice earlier than updating, particularly when you’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.
- Have you learnt the way to configure Betaflight from scratch? → If not, maintain off for now.
Getting Betaflight Configurator
Betaflight Configurator is the instrument used to configure and flash your flight controller.
Now you can entry it straight on-line in your browser — no set up wanted: https://app.betaflight.com/
In the event you desire the normal 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 number of methods to do that, as defined in my backup tutorial: https://oscarliang.com/backup-restore-betaflight-config/.
The only methodology is to go to the Presets tab in Betaflight Configurator and click on “Save Backup” — this may 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 the event you’re not sure which COM port to pick out, unplug and replug your FC — watch which port disappears and reappears within the record. That’s the proper 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 search out the correct goal:
- Auto-Detect: Click on “Detect” to let Betaflight mechanically establish your board.
- Guide Choice: If detection fails, choose your board manually from the dropdown menu. You could find your board identify by typing
modelwithin the CLI tab (observe directions right here: https://oscarliang.com/identify-betaflight-firmware-target/).
Warning: Flashing the mistaken goal may cause lacking sensors, malfunctioning options, and even brick your FC. If this occurs, you’ll be able to often get better it by following this information: https://oscarliang.com/cannot-connect-to-naze32-brick-fix/
Selecting the Firmware Model
Subsequent, choose the firmware model you need to flash — often the most recent secure launch.
In the event you’d like to check cutting-edge updates, allow “Present launch candidates” to entry any beta variations that could be obtainable. Nevertheless, proceed with warning: launch candidates (RC) are nonetheless being examined and should include bugs. For many customers, stick to secure releases for reliability.
Flashing Choices Defined
Click on “Allow Skilled Mode” to unlock all obtainable flashing choices. Right here’s what every does:
- No Reboot Sequence: Usually depart this disabled. Most flight controllers mechanically reboot into DFU mode when flashing. Allow it provided that your FC fails to reboot appropriately through the flash course of.
- Flash On Join: Depart this disabled. Enabling it can mechanically begin flashing as quickly as a serial port is detected, however this may bypass the backup reminder.
- Full Chip Erase: Beneficial. It utterly wipes current configurations to keep away from potential conflicts or leftover settings from older firmware.
- Guide Baud Fee: Used for boards that don’t help the default flashing pace or for flashing over Bluetooth. When flashing by way of USB, simply depart 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 dimension, which is essential as a result of the reminiscence on flight controller processors is restricted.
It won’t be an enormous deal now, however as Betaflight continues to develop in complexity, this characteristic will develop into 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 would possibly work, however I extremely advocate going by the record so as to add/take away options based mostly in your wants.
- Core Solely: Depart this disabled. This selection builds firmware that features solely low-level {hardware} drivers — most Betaflight options can 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, depart 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 could have a particular motive to make use of one other protocol (e.g., for brushed motors or legacy ESCs).
- Different Choices: Allow the options you utilize and disable these you don’t. This retains your firmware light-weight and avoids pointless reminiscence utilization.
Listed below are two examples based mostly 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 straight from Betaflight’s server.
Tip: In the event you’ve already downloaded the firmware file elsewhere (for instance, out of your flight controller producer’s web site or from a good friend), you should use “Load Firmware [Local]” to load that file manually.
As soon as the firmware is efficiently loaded into the Configurator, the “Flash Firmware” button will develop into obtainable.
Earlier than flashing begins, Betaflight will immediate you to avoid wasting 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 sometimes takes one to 2 minutes.
Issues with Flashing or Driver Points
In the event you’re having hassle flashing firmware, it’s possible you’ll must manually put your FC in bootloader mode (often known as DFU mode). Comply with 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 linked your flight controller to your PC, you would possibly want to put in the DFU driver so it’s acknowledged appropriately. The best means is to make use of a free instrument known as ImpulseRC Driver Fixer (obtain it right here), which mechanically detects and installs the proper driver.
Nonetheless caught? Take a look at 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 would possibly see a number of warnings — right here’s what they imply and the way to repair them:
Accelerometer Is Not Calibrated
You might even see: “The accelerometer is enabled however not calibrated.”
Repair:
- Place your drone on a stage floor.
- Go to the Setup tab.
- Click on “Calibrate Accelerometer”.
No Motor Output Protocol Chosen
You might even see: “There is no such thing as a motor output protocol chosen”.
Repair:
- Go to the Motors tab.
- Below ESC/Motor Protocol, select a protocol comparable to DShot300 or DShot600, relying in your PID loop price.
- DShot300 for 4kHz
- DShot600 for 8kHz
- Click on “Save and Reboot” within the backside left nook.
In most trendy builds, DShot300 and DShot600 are the go-to decisions.
Setup Your Flight Controller
You’ll must arrange your flight controller for the primary flight. Comply with 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 easy course of. At all times again up earlier than flashing, double-check your firmware goal, and take your time — it’s the most secure method to maintain 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)