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Overview

The Pinecil V1 uses a GD32 MCU that supports USB-DFU (Device Firmware Upgrade) mode. This allows you to flash firmware directly over USB.
You cannot permanently damage Pinecil V1 during a firmware update because DFU is in ROM. An invalid firmware flash may render it temporarily inoperable, but re-flashing with working firmware will fix everything.
  • Windows/MacOS: Pine64 Updater - Easy GUI app that automatically fetches the newest stable version
  • Linux/MacOS: PineFlash - Easy GUI app with automatic updates
  • Manual method: dfu-util command line tool (all platforms)
Do not use the DC barrel jack while updating firmware or you may destroy your PC.

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Flashing with dfu-util (Linux/Mac)

1

Update dfu-util

Highly recommend updating dfu-util to the newest version before starting
2

Download firmware

Download and extract the firmware package from IronOS Releases
3

Enter DFU mode

Press and hold the (-) button at the back of the iron before connecting the USB-C cable
4

Connect USB

Connect USB to PC and USB-C to back of Pinecil while still holding the (-) button
5

Wait and release

Once the USB cable is connected at both ends, wait ~10 seconds more, then release the (-) button. The screen will stay black/off to indicate DFU mode
6

Flash firmware

Run the following command (replace EN with your language code):
dfu-util -D Pinecil_EN.dfu

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Flashing with dfu-util (Windows)

1

Update dfu-util

Update dfu-util to the newest version
2

Download firmware

Download and extract the firmware package from IronOS Releases
3

Enter DFU mode

Press and hold (-) button at the back of the iron (do not release)
4

Connect USB

Connect USB to PC and USB-C to the back of Pinecil, keep holding (-) button down
5

Wait and release

After the USB cable is connected at both ends, wait ~10 seconds more, then release the (-) button. Screen will stay black/off
6

Open command prompt

Open PowerShell or Command window and navigate to the firmware directory
7

Flash firmware

Run the command:
dfu-util -D Pinecil_EN.dfu

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Flashing with GD32 DFU Tool (Windows)

If you’re uncomfortable with the command line:
1

Download tools

Download both the GD32 MCU DFU Tool and GD32 DFU DriversCheck properties of both downloads, tick Unblock if needed, then unzip
2

Install drivers and tool

Install the drivers and the GD32 DFU tool (ignore prompts to update the tool)
3

Enter DFU mode

Press and hold (-) button at the back of Pinecil (do not release)
4

Connect to PC

Connect Pinecil to PC via USB cable (do not release the (-) button yet). Screen will stay black/off
5

Open GD32 DFU Tool

Open the GD32 DFU Tool and verify that GD DFU DEVICE 1 appears at the top
If the DFU Device box is blank, Pinecil is not connected in DFU mode. Repeat the previous steps.
6

Release button and flash

If it has been more than 10 seconds since connecting USB, release the (-) buttonSelect Download to device > Open > Browse to your firmware folderSelect the .hex file for your language (e.g., Pinecil_EN.hex), tick Verify after download
7

Complete flash

Click OK at bottom. After a few minutes you will see 0-100%, then “Download successfully!”Click Leave DFU at the top
8

Test the update

Disconnect Pinecil from PC and plug into a power supplyHold the minus (-) button for a few seconds to see the new firmware version

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Troubleshooting

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Multiple DFU Devices Found

If you get an error stating “More than one DFU capable USB device found!” you may have an old version of dfu-util. Run dfu-util -l to see all DFU devices: 
Found DFU: [28e9:0189] ver=0100, devnum=48, cfg=1, intf=0, path="1-1", alt=1, name="@Option Bytes  /0x1FFFF800/01*016Be", serial="??"
Found DFU: [28e9:0189] ver=0100, devnum=48, cfg=1, intf=0, path="1-1", alt=0, name="@Internal Flash  /0x08000000/128*001Kg", serial="??"
Target the Internal Flash using alt=0: 
dfu-util -D Pinecil_EN.dfu -a 0

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Update Crashes Partway

If the update crashes during flashing:
  • Try a direct connection to a USB port (no hubs)
  • Use a shorter cable
  • Try a different PC/laptop and different ports
  • Hold down the (-) button for the entire firmware update

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USB Autosuspend Issues (Linux)

If dfu-util aborts with LIBUSB_ERROR_IO and dmesg shows USB errors, disable USB autosuspend with udev rules: 
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="28e9", ATTR{idProduct}=="0189", MODE:="0660"
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="28e9", ATTR{idProduct}=="0189", GROUP="plugdev"
SUBSYSTEM=="usb", ATTR{idVendor}=="28e9", ATTR{idProduct}=="0189", TEST=="power/control", ATTR{power/control}="on"

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DC Low Message

A PC/laptop cannot fully power Pinecil. It can only provide 5V (non-PD) for firmware updates. The “DC Low” message is normal during updates.

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