Restore and Updating


SMHUB OS - Update & Restore Methods

Your SMHUB can be updated or restored in three different ways:

  1. OTA (recommended) – simple updates directly from the Web Interface

  2. Type-C Cable – full recovery if the device doesn’t boot via computer

  3. SD-Card – full recovery if the device doesn’t boot without copmuter (more reliable)

Below is a quick overview to help you choose the right method 👇

🟢 1. Regular Update — OTA (Over-the-Air)

The easiest and safest method for normal updates.

How:
Web Interface → Settings → Updates & Restore → Check for Updates

What happens:
SMHUB downloads and installs the newest version automatically.

✅ Simple — no cables, no drivers
✅ Keeps your data and settings
⚠️ Works only if your system boots normally

⚡ 2. Restore via Type-C Cable

Good when OTA fails, if you need a clean reinstall, or if you want a quick setup without dealing with command-line environments.

How: Connect SMHUB to your PC via Type-C → Download and run the standalone smhub-flasher → Click to flash.

✅ Zero Configuration: No terminal commands or manual environment setups required.
✅ Always Up-to-Date: The interface automatically fetches and downloads the latest online images directly.
✅ Visual Feedback: Shows real-time progress right on your PC screen.
⚠️ Connection Requirements: Ensure you use a high-quality data cable and that your system detects the USB device.
💡 Alternative: If this fails or you prefer a different route, check the SD-Card method below.

⚠️ IMPORTANT: If the flashing process does not start, please disconnect POE and other Add-ons (4G/Z-Wave).

💽 3. Restore via SD-Card (Full Recovery Method)

Use this if your SMHUB is “bricked” or not responding at all.

How:
Copy 3 files (emmc.img, fip.bin, partition_gpt.xml) to a FAT32 SD card → insert into SMHUB → power on → wait ~5 min → power off → remove card → power on again
https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/books/smhub/page/updaterestore-using-sd-card 

✅ Works even if device doesn’t boot
✅ No drivers, no software, no cables
✅ Visible progress - just wait patiently
⚠️ Remove SD before next boot (otherwise it will flash again)

IMPORTANT: If the flashing process does not start, please disconnect POE and other Add-ons (4G/Z-Wave)

🧭 Which method should I use?

Situation Best Option
Regular update OTA
OTA failed or system unstable Type-C Cable
Device won’t start / “bricked” SD-Card

In short:
🔹 Use OTA for normal updates.
🔹 Use Type-C if you need to reinstall.
🔹 Use SD-Card to fully recover a non-booting device.

Update/Restore using Type-C

Flashing over Type-C

SMHUB Flasher

Starting with SMHUB OS v1.0.0.dev4, you can use the SMHUB Flasher—our standalone graphical installer for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Head over to the Smhub-flasher Releases page to download it. The GUI offers a seamless, click-to-flash experience that eliminates the need for terminal commands or manual environment setups, and it automatically downloads the latest online images for you.

🎥 Video Walkthrough Introduction

🛠️ Legacy Manual Method (Older Versions Only)
The guide and video walkthrough below apply only if you are flashing older versions prior to v1.0.0.dev4.

Image Compatibility: Newer firmware images (v1.0.0.dev4 and above) use an updated format that is entirely incompatible with legacy tools in the below guide. Do not attempt to use the manual guide below on the latest images, as the flashing process will fail.

Before you begin, we highly recommend watching the video walkthrough — it shows the entire flashing process from start to finish in real time. In the video, you’ll see exactly what happens on screen and on the SMHUB device

(The link below opens the official SMLIGHT demonstration video.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XBcEmG1pJnw 

image.png

⚙️ What You’ll Do

  1. Download the ZIP file with firmware

  2. Unzip it

  3. Install the driver

  4. Open CMD as Administrator

  5. Go to the folder with flash.bat

  6. Run flash.bat

  7. Only then connect SMHUB to the PC

  8. Wait for flashing to finish

  9. Wait for first boot (LED cues)

🚫 Before You Start

You’ll need:

Do NOT:

🔴 Common user errors:

  1. Connecting SMHUB before flash.bat starts

  2. Not installing the driver

  3. Not running CMD as Administrator

1) Download the factory firmware file

2) Unzip the archive

image.png

3) Install the driver

  1. Open the driver folder.

  2. Double-click smhub-driver.exe.

  3. Complete the installation wizard. Allow the installer in Windows security prompts if shown.

  4. When it says Finished, close the installer.

If Windows asks for permission to install device software, click Install.

image.png

image.png

4) Open Command Prompt as Administrator

You’ll know it’s correct if the window title says Administrator: Command Prompt.

5) Go to the extracted folder

In the admin CMD, change directory to the folder with flash.bat. For this purposes, type cd C:\SMHUB\firmware and press Enter.

Hint: if your path is long for typing, copy it, and in CMD enter cd + do right click. This will insert Clipboard content into CMD window.

image.png

6) Start the flashing script

Important: Do not connect the SMHUB yet. The script need to be run first.

Run: 
flash.bat

By typing this command flash.bat and pressing Enter button.

image.png

7) Now connect the SMHUB

When flash.bat is running, connect SMHUB to the PC via USB-C (Type-C port on the back of SMHUB, near Ethernet port)


The script will detect the device and begin flashing automatically. You’ll see progress output in the CMD window.

If nothing happens for ~a while, try another USB port or USB-C cable, but keep the script running while you reconnect the cable.

image.png

8) Wait for “Flashing completed” (script finishes)

8-b) IF THE FLASHING PROCESS DOES NOT START

In some cases, removing the PoE add-on may help to start the flashing process successfully. If your device does not start flashing using either the Type-C or SD-Card method, please follow the steps below:

  1. Open the enclosure (no screwdrivers are required, as the enclosure is screwless).

  2. Physically disconnect the PoE add-on.

    image.png

  3. To be even more secure, please remove 4G and Z-Wave addons if you have them installed.

  4. Start the flashing process again.

Try to boot without the add-on first. Once the device flashes and boots successfully, you can reinstall the add-on.

9) First boot and LED cues (what “ready” looks like)

First start takes longer than subsequent boots. This is normal.

When the SMHUB starts up after flashing, the LEDs show you exactly what’s happening.
Here’s what to watch step by step:

  1. Power ON indicator:
    As soon as you plug in the SMHUB, the small green LED near the buttons (not the Ambilight LEDs) turns ON.
    → This simply means the device is receiving power. If you can't power your device - check this bug.

    image.png

  2. Blue chase effect (Ambilight):
    Right after powering on, you’ll see a moving blue light (chase effect) running around the Ambilight LEDs.
    → This means the system is booting — please wait.
    smhub-rotating.gif

  3. Blue effect stops:
    When the blue chase effect stops, it means the core system has finished booting and SSH access is available.
    → From this point, advanced users can connect via SSH if needed.

image.png

  1. Green Ambilight turns on:
    After the delay (1-2 min), all green Ambilight LEDs will light up at once.
    → This means that Web UI and all apps are fully loaded and ready to use.

    image.png


    The green lights will stay on for about 1 minute, then turn off automatically.

💡 In simple words:

10) (Optional) Quick post-flash checks

Web UI:

SSH (from Windows using built-in OpenSSH or PuTTY):

Troubleshooting

A) The script doesn’t detect my device

B) Driver didn’t install or Windows blocked it

C) “Access denied” or “cannot open port”

D) Flashing stops or errors out mid-way

E) SSH/Web UI doesn’t come up after flashing

Update/Restore using SD-Card

💾 SD-Card Installation Guide Notice
The direct SD-card installation method is temporarily unavailable for the latest OS images.

Workaround: If you must use an SD card, you can flash an older compatible image first, boot the device, and perform an OTA update to the latest version. Otherwise, we highly recommend skipping the SD card entirely and using the new SMHUB Flasher tool over Type-C for a direct install.

👉 Download the firmware ZIP from your usual link (latest):

SD-CARD RESTORE FIRMWARE: prod: os_v0.9.9 , dev: os_v1.0.0.dev3 (previous: os_v0.3.11 | os_v0.3.10 | os_v0.3.7) and save the ZIP file to your computer (e.g., Downloads).

You’ll need:

⚙️ What You’ll Do

  1. Download the ZIP file with the firmware

  2. Format microSD to FAT32

  3. Copy three files from the archive folder ROM onto the root of the card

  4. Insert the card into the SMHUB (click fully)

  5. Power on → wait ~4 minutes (silent)

  6. Power off → remove the card

  7. Power on → watch LED cues → open smhub.loca

1) Get the firmware and unzip it

  1. Click the firmware link above and download the ZIP to your computer (e.g., Downloads).
    [screenshot: browser download]

  2. Right-click the ZIP → Extract All… → choose a simple folder (e.g., C:\SMHUB\firmware\).

Inside the unzipped folder, you’ll see these three files in the rom folder. You’ll copy them to the SD card:

2) Format the microSD card to FAT32

This erases the card completely. Back up anything important first.

  1. Insert the microSD (or SD adapter with the microSD inside) into your PC.

  2. Open This PC (Windows Explorer).

  3. Right-click the SD card drive (e.g., “SDHC (E:)”).

  4. Click Format….

    select-format.jpg

  5. In the Format window:

    • File system: choose FAT32

    • Allocation unit size: leave Default or 16kb

    • Volume label: optional (e.g., SMHUB)

    • Quick Format: checked (recommended)

      format-settings.jpg

  6. Click Start, then OK/Yes to confirm.

  7. Wait for the Format Complete message → click OK and Close.

    format-completed.jpg

Tip: If your SD card is larger than 32 GB and FAT32 isn’t shown, try another (smaller) card. (Advanced users: a third-party FAT32 formatter also works.).

Check the lock switch: If you’re using a full-size SD adapter, make sure the tiny switch on its side is not set to “LOCK.” If locked, Windows won’t let you copy files.

3) Copy the three files to the root of the SD card

  1. Open the folder you unzipped earlier.

  2. Select these three files:
    emmc.img, fip.bin, partition_gpt.xml

  3. Copy them (Ctrl+C).

  4. Open your SD card drive in This PC and Paste (Ctrl+V).

    • The files must be in the root of the SD card (not inside any folder).

      copying-to-sdcard.jpg

  5. When copying finishes, right-click the SD card drive → Eject → remove the card.

4) Insert the microSD card into the SMHUB

5) Power ON and wait ~4 minutes until completion

5-b) IF THE FLASHING PROCESS DOES NOT START

In some cases, removing the PoE add-on may help to start the flashing process successfully. If your device does not start flashing using either the Type-C or SD-Card method, please follow the steps below:

  1. Open the enclosure (no screwdrivers are required, as the enclosure is screwless).

  2. Physically disconnect the PoE add-on.

    image.png

  3. To be even more secure, please remove 4G and Z-Wave addons if you have them installed.

  4. Start the flashing process again.

Try to boot without the add-on first. Once the device flashes and boots successfully, you can reinstall the add-on.

6) Power OFF and remove the SD card

7) Power ON again and watch the LEDs (readiness)

Boot the SMHUB without the SD card:

First start takes longer than subsequent boots. This is normal.

When the SMHUB starts up after flashing, the LEDs show you exactly what’s happening.
Here’s what to watch step by step:

  1. Power ON indicator:
    As soon as you plug in the SMHUB, the small green LED near the buttons (not the Ambilight LEDs) turns ON.
    → This simply means the device is receiving power. If you can't power your device - check this bug.

    image.png

  2. Blue chase effect (Ambilight):
    Right after powering on, you’ll see a moving blue light (chase effect) running around the Ambilight LEDs.
    → This means the system is booting — please wait.
    smhub-rotating.gif

  3. Blue effect stops:
    When the blue chase effect stops, it means the core system has finished booting and SSH access is available.
    → From this point, advanced users can connect via SSH if needed.

image.png

  1. Green Ambilight turns on:
    After a short delay, all green Ambilight LEDs will light up at once.
    → This means that Web UI and all apps are fully loaded and ready to use.

    image.png


    The green lights will stay on for about 1 minute, then turn off automatically.

💡 In simple words:

8) (Optional) Quick post-flash checks

Web UI:

SSH (from Windows using built-in OpenSSH or PuTTY):

Troubleshooting (quick)