| Situation | Best Option |
|---|---|
| Regular update | **OTA** |
| OTA failed or system unstable | **Type-C Cable** |
| Device won’t start / “bricked” | **SD-Card** |
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.
[](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/yfjimage.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. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/ncyimage.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. > > [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/CArimage.png) --- ### 8) Wait for “Flashing completed” (script finishes) - When the script completes, it will show a success message and return to the prompt or close. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/9NMimage.png) - You can now safely disconnect the SMHUB from the PC and power it normally (via its regular power supply), **or** leave USB-C connected if it provides power. --- ### **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. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/xfhimage.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](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/books/smhub/page/troubleshooting#bkmrk-9.1-power-%26-boot) bug. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/Lhzimage.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. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/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. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/YAtimage.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. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/3wLimage.png) The green lights will stay on for about **1 minute**, then turn off automatically. > 💡 **In simple words:** > > - Blue moving lights = starting up > - Blue stops = system ready for SSH > - Green lights = Web interface ready to use --- ### 10) (Optional) Quick post-flash checks **Web UI:** - Open a browser and go to: `http://smhub.local/` (or your device’s IP). [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/WeYimage.png) **SSH (from Windows using built-in OpenSSH or PuTTY):** - Hostname: `smhub.local` (or your device’s IP) - Username: `smlight` - Password: `smlight` --- ## Troubleshooting ### A) The script doesn’t detect my device - **Most likely cause:** Device connected **before** `flash.bat`. **Fix:** Close the script, **unplug** SMHUB, re-run steps 4–7 exactly: admin CMD → `flash.bat` → **then** connect SMHUB. - Try a different USB port or another **data-capable** USB-C cable. ### B) Driver didn’t install or Windows blocked it - Re-run `driver\smhub-driver.exe` as admin. - Approve any Windows prompts. - Reboot Windows if the installer requests it, then try again. ### C) “Access denied” or “cannot open port” - You’re likely not in an **Administrator** CMD. Close CMD, re-open **as Administrator**, repeat from step 5. ### D) Flashing stops or errors out mid-way - Leave the CMD window open; wait a bit to ensure it’s not still working. - If it clearly failed, **unplug** SMHUB, close the CMD, reopen **admin** CMD, start `flash.bat` again, and **only then** plug SMHUB back in. ### E) SSH/Web UI doesn’t come up after flashing - Give the device more time on the first boot. - Watch the LEDs: - **Blue ambilight LED stopped running** → SSH should be ready. - **All ambilight greens lit** → Web UI should be ready. - If still nothing, power-cycle the SMHUB and check your network/DHCP (try accessing by IP, not by hostname). # Update/Restore using SD-Card 👉 **Download the firmware ZIP** from your usual link (latest): SD-CARD RESTORE FIRMWARE: **prod**: [os\_v0.9.9](https://updates.smlight.tech/firmware/smhub/os/smhub_os_v0.9.9.zip) , **dev**: [os\_v1.0.0.dev3](https://updates.smlight.tech/firmware/smhub/os/smhub_os_v1.0.0.dev3.zip) (previous: [os\_v0.3.11](https://updates.smlight.tech/firmware/smhub/os/smhub_os_v0.3.11.zip) | [os\_v0.3.10](https://updates.smlight.tech/firmware/smhub/os/smhub_os_v0.3.10.zip) | [os\_v0.3.7](https://updates.smlight.tech/firmware/smhub/os/smhub_os_v0.3.7.zip)) and save the ZIP file to your computer (e.g., `Downloads`). You’ll need: - A **microSD card** (8–64 GB is ideal) + **microSD–to–SD** adapter if your PC needs it - A Windows PC - A way to read/write the microSD card (built-in reader or USB adapter) ### ⚙️ 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: - `emmc.img` - `fip.bin` - `partition_gpt.xml` --- ## 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…**. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/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) [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/format-settings.jpg) 6. Click **Start**, then **OK/Yes** to confirm. 7. Wait for the **Format Complete** message → click **OK** and **Close**. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/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). [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/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 - With the SMHUB **powered OFF**, insert the microSD into the slot. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/VTRimage.png) - **Push until you feel a “click.”** It must be fully seated. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/M5mimage.png) --- ## 5) Power ON and **wait ~4 minutes until completion** - Connect power to the SMHUB. - The device will automatically and silently flash itself from the SD card. - The blue LED (located near the IR transmitter) will begin blinking slowly (approximately once every 2 seconds), indicating that the flashing process has started. Please note that LED indications during SD-card flashing are available only starting from firmware **0.3.1-dev2 (24 Oct 2025)**. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/smhub-flashing-sd-card.gif) - Once the process is complete, the same blue LED will start blinking faster (about 3 times per second). This means the flashing was successful. You can now disconnect the device from power (fully disconnect it — do not simply reboot). There is no need to power it on again with the SD card inserted, as the flashing process would otherwise start again. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/smhub-flashing-sd-card-completed.gif) --- ## **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. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/xfhimage.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** - After ~5 minutes, **power OFF** the SMHUB. - **Remove** the microSD card. > ⚠️ **Important:** If you **leave the SD card in** and power on, the SMHUB will **start flashing again**. Always **remove the card before** the next boot. --- ## 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](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/books/smhub/page/troubleshooting#bkmrk-9.1-power-%26-boot) bug. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/Lhzimage.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. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/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. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/YAtimage.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. [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/3wLimage.png) The green lights will stay on for about **1 minute**, then turn off automatically. > 💡 **In simple words:** > > - Blue moving lights = starting up > - Blue stops = system ready for SSH > - Green lights = Web interface ready to use --- ### 8) (Optional) Quick post-flash checks **Web UI:** - Open a browser and go to: `http://smhub.local/` (or your device’s IP). [](https://smlight.tech/support/manuals/uploads/images/gallery/2025-10/WeYimage.png) **SSH (from Windows using built-in OpenSSH or PuTTY):** - Hostname: `smhub.local` (or your device’s IP) - Username: `smlight` - Password: `smlight` --- ## Troubleshooting (quick) - **Nothing happens after power on?** Ensure the **three files** are on the **root** of the SD card, card is **FAT32**, and the card was **fully clicked in**. - **Flashing loops every time I power on?** You forgot to **remove the SD card**. Power off, **remove card**, then power on. - **Web UI not loading yet?** Wait for the **green Ambilight LEDs**. Blue stopped = SSH ready; Green on = Web UI ready. - **Card won’t format / no FAT32 option?** Try a **smaller card** (8–32 GB is easiest) or a different PC card reader. ---