My X20PRO will not turn on or go into boot mode, will not connect to Ethos Suite, any other method to flash?

[Foam_Flyer]

My X20PRO will not turn on or go into boot mode, will not connect to Ethos Suite, any other method to flash? When I plug into usb computer dings and charge light comes on but turns right off battery is full charge. Something I'm missing?

 

[Wayne]

To enter bootloader, are you pushing the enter button then the power button?

 

[Foam_Flyer]

Yes, I have had the transmitter for about a year, it has worked flawlessly. I have an x18 also and use ethos suite for all my upgrading. I've been using my x20 pro a lot lately, a couple of days ago I went out to fly but when I went to turn it on I had no screen or light, just dead. When I plug it in to usb the charge light comes on momentarily because the battery is fully charged, also tried different battery. It is definitely bricked. I'm starting to think I have a hardware failure, would be my first one and I'v been flying frsky stuff since vers 1 X9D Taranis was out.

 

[HENNY]

Yes, I have had the transmitter for about a year, it has worked flawlessly. I have an x18 also and use ethos suite for all my upgrading. I've been using my x20 pro a lot lately, a couple of days ago I went out to fly but when I went to turn it on I had no screen or light, just dead. When I plug it in to usb the charge light comes on momentarily because the battery is fully charged, also tried different battery. It is definitely bricked. I'm starting to think I have a hardware failure, would be my first one and I'v been flying frsky stuff since vers 1 X9D Taranis was out.

Sounds like something has failed, a trip to Aloft is recomended.

 

[Wayne]

Hmm, sounds like it better go to FrSky in Brea California. They have a good service department there and should take good care of you.

Their email:
NAService@frsky-rc.com

 

[Foam_Flyer]

Thank You, thats kinda what I was thinking

 

[Shoelace]

Hey Foam_Flyer... I just went through this and it was a bit of a ride but I got through it without going to Aloft or Brea. Have you figured it out? If not let me know and I can probably walk you through it. It was a process but everything is working normally now. You say that you think it's a hardware failure but it's also just as likely that it's a software issue.

Were you doing any kind of system updates before it was bricked? Did it just happen one day out of the blue or were you doing something with it prior? I was updating my firmware to the latest version and midway through it my radio crashed with a death screen. Before you do too much, see if you can enter bootloader mode and connect to Ethos suite on your computer. Furthermore, make sure that the Ethos suite you're using is the latest version.

Look at my post that's a few down from the top. It was all pretty recent and you can start to see what I was challenged with and we'll see if there's anything in common between the two issues.

 

[Foam_Flyer]

Thanks Shoelace, but it absolutely will not go into bootloader mode even though I can get it to update bootloader through DFU mode in Ethos Suite, I have tried vers 3.0.2 and 3.0.3. If I could get the radio in bootloader mode I know I could get it running.

 

[Shoelace]

Right... So I couldn't use the DFU mode in the Ethos suite. I had to download a program called STM32CubeProgrammer. I also had to download the boot loader from Github. Let me see if I still have the step by step so that you can try it: Download the STM32CubeProgrammer. This will be your DFU installer. Not Ethos. You'll have to fill out a form but it's free. FROM THERE:

STEP 1: Confirm DFU Mode​

You must hold the ENTER button while plugging in the USB-C cable. The screen should stay black.

Then confirm your Mac sees the device:

Open Terminal: Then type:

system_profiler SPUSBDataType


You should see “STM32 BOOTLOADER” listed under USB devices.

If you see that, you are in DFU mode.

STEP 2: Skip the “DFU Driver” on Mac​

macOS does not require separate DFU drivers — the STM32CubeProgrammer should detect the STM32 device natively if it’s in DFU.

If it says it can’t connect or needs a driver:

Close the app.

• Open it via Terminal (this avoids security restrictions):

Open the terminal and type:


cd /Applications/STMicroelectronics/STM32CubeProgrammer/STM32CubeProgrammer.app/Contents/MacOS./STM32CubeProgrammer

STEP 3: Flash the Ethos Bootloader (.dfu)​

Once connected:

1. Download the latest Ethos Bootloader .dfu file from:

https://downloads.frsky-rc.com/Firmware/X20/X20S-X20-X18/

Look for something like: bootloader-ethos-x18-vx.x.x.dfu

1. In STM32CubeProgrammer:
   
   
   • Select USB as the connection
   • Click Connect
   • Load the .dfu file
   • Hit Start Programming

I know that this seems a bit extreme to fix your transmitter, but it worked for me. I was pulling my hair out for a bit but if you follow these steps I'm pretty sure you'll get your radio back and you'll have the latest version. There was zero chance for me to repair it natively in Ethos Suite because my boot loader was completely jacked.

Good luck. Let me know if you have any questions when you're trying this method.