Troubleshooting & FAQ

Most issues come down to power, the USB connection, or firmware that doesn't match the hardware. Work through the relevant section below; if you're still stuck, the community is the place to ask.

It won't turn on

• Charge it. Plug in USB-C for a while — a flat battery won't boot. See Battery, Power & Charging.
• Hold POWER long enough. POWER is a press-and-hold switch — hold it for about two seconds, not a quick press.
• On battery? Switch the Power module on. If your build has a Power module, it has its own power button — long-press it. If it's off, there's no battery power. (On USB, the Core runs without it.)
• Check the firmware. A blank or half-flashed device can boot to a dark screen. If nothing appears, flash a firmware.

The flasher won't connect

• Use a data USB-C cable — some cables are charge-only and carry no data.
• Use a supported browser — the web flasher needs Chrome or Edge on desktop.
• Close other serial apps — only one program can hold the serial port at a time.
• Try another port or cable — see the full connection checklist on Flash Your First Firmware.

A feature isn't working

• Match firmware to hardware. A capability lives on the Expand module, and the firmware drives it. Make sure the firmware matches the modules you have — for example, Meshtastic needs the LoRa / GPS module. Each firmware page lists what it needs.
• One Expand at a time. A build runs a single Expand — they share the Core's signal lines. (A keyboard and a gamepad, on the other hand, can run together.) The Compatibility Matrix has the rules.
• Reseat after a swap. If you've just swapped a module, power off and check it's fully seated on its connector.

The screen or touch seems off

• Reflash or update the firmware — display orientation and touch are handled in firmware, so an update often fixes it.
• If the device has been dropped or bumped, power off and check the module is still seated squarely on its connector.

Ordering & lead time

• Can I change firmware later? Yes — reflash any time from the Firmware Store. The hardware isn't tied to one firmware.
• Can I add a module later? Yes, within the compatibility rules — see Swap a Module.