.. _online_flasher:

Online Flasher
======================

The online flasher is the recommended way to install firmware for first-time users. It lets you flash the ESP32-S3 board directly from the browser without installing a local development environment.

Prerequisites
------------------

* Chrome or Edge browser with Web Serial support
* ESP32-S3 board connected with a USB Type-C data cable
* Serial device visible in Device Manager or the system serial port list

.. warning::
   Charging-only USB cables can power the board but cannot be used for flashing.

.. note::
   If the board does not appear as a serial device, install the CP210x driver first and then try a different USB port.

.. note::
   For the LAFVIN ESP32S3 AIChatBot on Windows, connect the USB Type-C data cable to the ESP32-S3 ``UART`` port for online flashing. On macOS, use the ``USB`` port and follow the macOS download-mode note below.

.. image:: img/olf1.png

Flashing Steps
------------------

#. Open the online flasher: `LAFVIN Web Flasher <https://lafvintech.github.io/Lafvin_Web_Flasher/>`_

   .. image:: img/olf2.png

#. Select your kit or device model.

   .. image:: img/olf3.png

#. Select the firmware to flash.

   .. image:: img/olf4.png

#. Select the firmware version.

   .. image:: img/olf5.png

#. Connect the device to your computer before clicking ``Connect``. You may plug in the device after opening the flasher page, but it must be connected before this step.

#. Click ``Connect``. A serial port selection window will appear. Select your device, grant permission if prompted, and confirm the connection. When the connection succeeds, the button changes to ``Disconnect``.

   .. image:: img/olf6.png

   .. image:: img/olf7.png

   .. note::
      When using online flashing on macOS, connect the USB Type-C cable to the ESP32-S3 ``USB`` port instead of the ``UART`` port. Then press and hold ``BOOT``, press ``RESET`` while still holding ``BOOT``, and enter download mode before clicking ``Connect`` or starting the flash process. The screen will turn black after the device enters download mode; this is normal.

   **Entering Download Mode on macOS**
   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
   .. video:: img/macos_download_mode.mp4
      :width: 100%

#. Select the ``Flash Baud Rate`` and enable ``Erase Flash`` for the first flash or when you want a clean reinstall. Then click ``Flash``. The tool erases and writes the selected firmware automatically.

   .. image:: img/olf8.png

.. note::
   Erasing flash and writing firmware may take a few minutes. Keep the browser tab open and do not disconnect the cable.

After flashing is complete, restart the device by pressing the ``RST`` or ``RESET`` button on the ESP32-S3 board. You usually do not need to unplug the USB cable.

After flashing is complete, restart the board. It should enter Wi-Fi provisioning mode so you can continue with :doc:`/Tutorial/0.quick_start`.

If ``Connect`` still cannot detect the board:

* install the driver from :doc:`/Appendix/install_driver`
* reconnect the board with a USB Type-C data cable
* retry in Chrome or Edge
* use the local flashing alternative in :doc:`/Tutorial/4.xiaozhi_ai`