.. _online_flasher:

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

The online flasher tool allows you to flash firmware to your ESP32 device directly from the browser, without installing any development environment.

.. note::
   Online flashing is supported only in Chrome or Edge browsers.

.. warning::
   Use a USB cable that supports data transfer. A charging-only cable may power the board but will not work for flashing or serial connection.

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

- Chrome or Edge browser installed (Web Serial API support required)
- ESP32 device connected to your computer with a USB data cable before clicking ``Connect``
- Serial port device recognized in Device Manager

.. note::
   If the device is not found in Device Manager, try using 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 pop up in the upper-left corner of the browser (grant permission if prompted). Select your device and click ``Connect``. Once connected, the button will change 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 whether to enable ``Erase Flash`` (recommended for first-time flashing). Once confirmed, click ``Flash``. The tool will automatically erase and write the selected firmware.

   .. image:: img/olf8.png

.. note::
   The Flash erase process may take a while. Please be patient.

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.

Alternative Help
----------------

If online flashing does not work, use the following system-specific references:

* **Windows**: If the serial port does not appear or the device cannot connect, see :ref:`install_driver` for CP210x driver installation and Windows 11 troubleshooting.
* **macOS**: Online flashing is still recommended first. If it does not work, see :ref:`macos_upload` for the local macOS flashing alternative.