How to Flash Firmware to Your Sensor

Sensors Troubleshooting
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This article will go over how to flash your sensor’s firmware and erase its memory. These are steps sometimes required for WiFi troubleshooting or other unique issues. You will need the PurpleAir Utility and an appropriate data cable to do so.

Note: For MAC users, the Utility will only work on macOS up to version 12.2.1

Flash Firmware

The utility can re-flash firmware onto your PurpleAir sensor.

  1. Connect your sensor to your computer using a data cable.
  2. Select your sensor’s Serial port.
  3. Make sure you are not connected to your sensor. If you have already connected, click “Disconnect.”
  4. Click “Select a Flash Action” and select “SensorFirmware6.02f.bin.”
  5. Press “Flash.”
  6. This may cause your sensor to disconnect from the WiFi. If your sensor has disconnected, follow the steps here to reconnect your device.
  7. Once you have confirmed that your sensor is online and reporting, you can disconnect the device from your computer.

If flashing the firmware has been unsuccessful, try the steps in Erase a Sensor’s Flash Memory below.

Erase a Sensor’s Flash Memory

WARNING: Following the steps below will cause your sensor to be unable to communicate with PurpleAir and appear on the map. After erasing, you’ll need to email contact@purpleair.com with your device ID, asking us to share keys with your sensor.

With the utility, you can completely erase your sensor’s flash memory.

  1. Select your sensor’s Serial port.
  2. Make sure you are not connected to your sensor. If you have already connected, click “Disconnect.”
  3. Click “Select a Flash Action,” and select “Erase all memory.”
  4. Press “Flash.”
  5. After all memory is erased, the sensor will attempt to reboot. Press “Disconnect” once erasing is complete and the sensor has rebooted.
  6. Follow the steps above for flashing firmware.
  7. Your sensor will have forgotten your WiFi network. To reconnect your device, follow the steps here.
  8. Re-register your sensor at Register to place your sensor on the map | PurpleAir .
  9. Once you have confirmed that your sensor is online, registered, and reporting, you can disconnect the device from your computer.

Errors and Troubleshooting

ets Jan 8 2013,rst cause:2, boot mode:(3,7)

If a message like the above repeatedly appears, it means the sensor is constantly rebooting. Try erasing all memory and flashing firmware. This can be tried a few times to see if it’s successful.

If you are unable to successfully flash your sensor, even with the steps below, please:

  1. Copy the Utility text showing your attempt to erase and flash the sensor. Follow the steps here and paste the text into a file.
  2. Email contact@purpleair.com with the above file attached.

Learn More

The PurpleAir Utility
Sensor Maintenance
SD Card Logging and Troubleshooting