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Flashing the Firmware

Device list

Browser installer

Use desktop Chrome or Edge and a USB data cable.

Choose the published release or a local HomeTiles .bin file.

Select the exact model printed on the device or rear label.

3. Flash mode

Update keeps settings. First install / factory reset erases all local data.

4. Confirm

Confirm the exact label before connecting the serial port.

5. Connect and flash

Keep power, USB, and this browser tab open until flashing finishes. You can browse other pages in this documentation; the header shows progress and returns you here.

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After flashing, restart the display and follow Home Assistant setup.

Manual flashing

If the browser installer is unavailable, use Espressif's Flash Download Tool or esptool. This alternative is for a first installation or full reset and erases all settings. Export your dashboard first if needed.

  1. Download the exact device's _factory.bin from the latest release. Match the complete model and revision; V1/V2, LCD-7/LCD-7B and P4/S3 images are not interchangeable.

  2. In Flash Download Tool, select ESP32-P4 or ESP32-S3, UART, and the USB port. Erase the flash, then write the factory file at 0x0. Alternatively, with esptool installed:

    python -m esptool --port COM3 chip-id
python -m esptool --port COM3 write-flash --erase-all 0x0 your_device_factory.bin

    Replace COM3 with your serial port (for example /dev/ttyACM0 on Linux), and the filename with your downloaded factory image.

  3. Wait until verification finishes, then restart the display.

ESP32-P4 revision check: standard P4 images require pre-v3 silicon (revisions 1–199). The experimental Waveshare 7B _rev3_1 image is for exact v3.1 only. Check the chip-id output before a manual write; v3.2 and newer are unsupported. esptool does not enforce HomeTiles' narrower revision checks.

Never write a plain update .bin at 0x0. To preserve settings, use the browser's Update mode or Firmware Updates.

Troubleshooting

  • No serial port: use a data cable, try another USB port, and close other serial monitors or flashing tools.
  • Cannot connect: hold BOOT while connecting, then release it when the connection starts.
  • Wrong chip or revision: recheck the device label and selected model; do not bypass the check.
  • Interrupted installation: reconnect and repeat the selected operation. An interrupted Update keeps the previous app; an interrupted factory reset needs a complete factory installation.

For a blank display after flashing or connection problems after setup, see Troubleshooting.