HOW TO UPDATE YOUR FIRMWARE

Eventually you'll need to update your firmware, whether you're on a T400, T301, or VBMS. This guide will set you on your way.

VESC Tool may prompt you to update your firmware if your firmware is "out of date" upon opening the app and connecting to your board. If you device is working fine, DO NOT LISTEN TO THIS as updating firmware will wipe your board clean and you'll need to reprogram everything. Do not update unless you need to update.

When updating any of your devices, ensure that you have the correct firmware for the correct device. Flashing the wrong firmware to the wrong device can result in you bricking your device. This is sometimes recoverable, but is difficult to do. Do not randomly update firmware unless you are doing it with a specific intention in mind, and you're doing it mindfully. The slower you work, the better.

How to update your Thor301:

Before you choose to update your T301, you need to keep in mind a few things:

CREATE A BACK UP! - You can create a back up on the home screen of your Thor in VESC Tool. Simply scroll down to the second tab grouping and press BACK UP. This saves your MOTOR, APP, AND REFLOAT configurations. This is tied to your phone.
CONNECTION - Connect to the Thor through it's BLE connection or either of it's USBC ports. The USBC ports will connect you to either the Thor, or it's VESC Express module. You will be able to connect to either one and navigate through it's CAN connection to reach the intended device. Refer to our pinout if you're confused.
FIRMWARE TAB - Once connected to the Thor301, navigate to the FIRMWARE TAB. In this tab, ensure that the Hardware and Firmware versions read THOR301. If they do not then you are on the wrong device.
BOOTLOADER - Once the right device is verified, navigate to the BOOTLOADER tab. Upload the included GENERIC bootloader- this will prepare your device for firmware flashing.
UPLOAD FIRMWARE - After the BOOTLOADER is done uploading, navigate back to the INCLUDED files tab. VESC Tool should have the included and correct firmware here, but if you need another firmware file you may select the CUSTOM tab to upload your preferred firmware. We will link the most up-to-date firmware for the T301 here. Once you've selected your file, press UPLOAD.
Do not unplug / turn off/ or disturb the device while uploading, doing so poses a risk of bricking your device.
REBOOT - After the UPLOAD is finished, allow the device to reboot. This should happen within ten seconds, but if it doesn't automatically turn off after a minute or so you can turn it off with your power button (doing this may brick your device, you should allow it to reboot by itself.)
RESTORE CFGS - After a successful reboot, your device should be up to date with the firmware you selected. If you made a back up, you can now press RESTORE CONFIGS to bring back your previous board configuration. If you're unable to do this, you'll need to reprogram your board.

How to update your Thor400:

1) Updating / Flashing new firmware will wipe your device unless you back up your board's configuration.2) These devices support multiple peripherals. Using firmware not specifically intended for your device can cause irreversible damage.3) Each of your devices must be on the most up to date VESC Tool Firmware. If for example you have a VESC Express on 6.5 and a T400 on 6.6, you may run into compatibility issues4) THERE ARE TWO DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF T400, A white PCB T400v1, and a green PCB T400v2. Thor400v1 Firmware will be labeled, "T400" and Thor400v2 Firmware will be labeled, "Thor400v2". Ensure you have the right iteration of this controller and you are using the correctly supplied firmware for it. Failure to do so can incur bricked devices or fires.

CREATE A BACK UP! - You can create a back up on the home screen of your Thor in VESC Tool. Simply scroll down to the second tab grouping and press BACK UP. This saves your MOTOR, APP, AND REFLOAT configurations. This is tied to your phone.
CONNECTION - Connect to the Thor through it's BLE connection or either of it's USBC ports. The USBC ports will connect you to either the Thor, or it's VESC Express module. You will be able to connect to either one and navigate through it's CAN connection to reach the intended device. Refer to our pinout if you're confused.
FIRMWARE TAB -Once connected to the Thor400, navigate to the FIRMWARE TAB. In this tab, ensure that the HARDWARE and FIRMWARE versions read THOR400. If they do not then you are on the wrong device.
BOOTLOADER - Once the right device is verified, navigate to the BOOTLOADER tab. Upload the included GENERIC bootloader- this will prepare your device for firmware flashing.
UPLOAD FIRMWARE - After the BOOTLOADER is done uploading, navigate back to the INCLUDED files tab. VESC Tool should have the included and correct firmware here, but if you need another firmware file you may select the CUSTOM tab to upload your preferred firmware. We will link the most up-to-date firmware for the T301 here. Once you've selected your file, press UPLOAD.
Do not unplug / turn off/ or disturb the device while uploading, doing so poses a risk of bricking your device.
REBOOT - After the UPLOAD is finished, allow the device to reboot. This should happen within ten seconds, but if it doesn't automatically turn off after a minute or so you can turn it off with your power button (doing this may brick your device, you should allow it to reboot by itself.)
RESTORE CFGS - After a successful reboot, your device should be up to date with the firmware you selected. If you made a back up, you can now press RESTORE CONFIGS to bring back your previous board configuration. If you're unable to do this, you'll need to reprogram your board.

How to update your Refloat Package: This video goes through board set up and will visually demonstrate how to flash your Refloat package.

Refloat is the balance logic that our boards use to ride around. Without this package information you don't have tuning, balancing, or a working one wheeled based vesc. Updating it is very easy.

CONNECTION - Connect to your Thor controller and ensure that you're on the Thor, not the VESC Express.
PACKAGE - Navigate to the PACKAGES Store. Press on UPDATE ARCHIVE, this will update your store with the most up to date versions of our packages.
INSTALL REFLOAT - Find the REFLOAT Package and take a moment to read through it's description as it has important information about the package, including more specific installation material. Press INSTALL PACKAGE.
Do not unplug / turn off/ or disturb the device while uploading, doing so poses a risk of bricking your device.
REBOOT - After the installation is complete, disconnect / restart your board. You don't need to do this, but for good measure let's power cycle our device.
RECONFIGURE - Connect back to the Thor, VESC Tool will now try to load a custom interface, ALLOW this. You'll now have the newest up to date Refloat package. After installing your Refloat package you might need to configure a few board specific settings before it's ready to ride. The video linked above goes through general board set ups and shows the Refloat Package installation / Reconfiguration

How to update your VESC Express:

The VESC Express is the Bluetooth communication module our Thor controllers use to connect to phones and other peripherals. You likely don't need to update this unless both your devices are on completely wrong firmware releases. VE = VESC Express

CONNECTION - Connect to the VE through it's BLE connection or either of it's USBC ports. The USBC ports will connect you to either the Thor, or it's VE module. You will be able to connect to either one and navigate through it's CAN connection to reach the intended device. Refer to our pinout if you're confused.
CONFIRM DEVICE - Once connected to the VE, navigate to the FIRMWARE TAB. In this tab, ensure that the Hardware and Firmware versions read VE. If they do not then you are on the wrong device.
BOOTLOADER - Once the right device is verified, navigate to the BOOTLOADER tab. Upload the included GENERIC bootloader- this will prepare your device for firmware flashing.
FLASH - After the BOOTLOADER is done uploading, navigate back to the INCLUDED files tab. Select the VESC Express T file, then press UPLOAD.
Do not unplug / turn off/ or disturb the device while uploading, doing so poses a risk of bricking your device.
REBOOT - After the UPLOAD is finished, allow the device to reboot. This should happen within ten seconds, but if it doesn't automatically turn off after a minute or so you can turn it off with your power button (doing this may brick your device, you should allow it to reboot by itself.) After a successful reboot, your device should be up to date.

How to update your VBMS: Here is a comprehensive video guide for the VBMS

There are a few different ways to update your VBMS. You can do this through VESC Tool with a Bluetooth or USBC connection.

CONNECTION - Connect to the VBMS through it's BLE connection or it's CAN connection from it's connected controller.
FIMRWARE - Navigate to the FIRMWARE tab in VESC Tool. Click on the INCLUDED FILES TAB and select the VBMS32 file. Click the single down arrow, wait for the flash to complete and for the VBMS to reboot.
Do not unplug / turn off/ or disturb the device while uploading, doing so poses a risk of bricking your device. After it reboots, reconnect to the VBMS.
PACKAGES - Once connected, navigate to the VESC PACKAGES tab. Click the "UPDATE ARCHIVE" button to ensure the latest Package information is displayed. Select VBMS 32 MICRO. There might be multiple selections here, so ensure that the description of the selected package reads, "For the Fungineers charge only BMS". Press, INSTALL.
Do not unplug / turn off/ or disturb the device while uploading, doing so poses a risk of bricking your device.
RECONFIGURE - Your VBMS should now be on the latest firmware / packages. Now you will need to reconfigure the VBMS for your battery pack. The video linked above walks you through this in detail.

How to revive a bricked device using STLINK and TAG CONNECT:

You will need a ST-LINK and TAG CONNECT. Proper instructions for this will come soon.

Updated on: 08/01/2026

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