How to Flash/Configure BLHeli_S ESC

Here I explain how to flash/update BLHeli_S firmware on your ESC using Cleanflight FC Pass-through.

There are two ways to flash / connect BLHeli_S ESC: “one-wire” or pass-through. Pass-through is probably the more common method as it’s more convenient. Here I demonstrate how to update BLHeli_S firmware on the Aikon SEFM 30A ESC with FC pass-through.

Download Software

There are two options,

You can use either software to flash firmware and configure your ESC. Personally, I prefer BLHeli Configurator because the interface is more user friendly.

Note that there are two different BLHeliSuite depending on the type of ESC you have:

  • BLHeli_S
  • BLHeli_32

You should find out which firmware your ESC supports before proceeding, they are NOT cross-compatible. This guide explains the difference in these two firmware.

If your ESC’s are BLHeli_32, see this guide instead.

Hardware Connection

  1. First of all, make sure your FC is flashed with Betaflight in order to use the FC pass through feature
  2. Have your ESC signal and ground wires connected to the FC (motor output pins)
  3. Connect the FC to computer via USB cable, but do NOT connect to Betaflight GUI
  4. Power on the ESC with LiPo

flash esc via flight controller naze32 aikon sefm 30a esc

How to use BLHeli Configurator

Select the COM port for your FC, and press the Connect button.

Once connected, you will get a blank page. You should now plug in the battery to the quad to power up the ESC. And press the button “Read Setup”.

You can now change your ESC configurations.

If you want to update firmware, simply press the button “Flash All”. You will be prompted to choose a firmware version. The type of ESC should be selected automatically, if not you can look it up in the previous screen (the name is in the title of each ESC)

BLHeliSuite for BLHeli_S

5. Under “Select Ateml / Silabs Interface” in the menu, choose “SILABS BLHeli Bootloader (Cleanflight)” to use FC Passthrough to program/flash your ESC’s

6. Select the correct COM port of your FC, and press “read setup”. If nothing shows up you might need to press “check” as well.

how to flash blheli_s - select silabs blheli bootloader cleanflight fc pass through

7. If you see “BLHeli_S Revision” number is below the latest version, then you need to update it. (The latest was 16.1 at the time)

how to flash blheli_s - read setup check button old 16.0 revision

8. Press “Flash BLHeli” and you will see a pop up window. firmware option should be filtered down to only 1 left, because it has BLHeli_S installed previously, and the system can detect what firmware this ESC needs

9. Select this firmware, and click OK to flash.

how to flash blheli_s - click flash choose latest firmware version

After it’s done, you should see the updated BLHeli_S revision number.

how to flash blheli_s - finished flashing new version blheli_s firmware 16.1

Edit History

  • 2016 Jun – Article created
  • 2020 Jan – Added instructions for BLHeli Configurator

49 thoughts on “How to Flash/Configure BLHeli_S ESC”

    1. Oscar Post author

      Nobody is deleting your questions.
      All comments are held for approval before becoming public.

      Reply ↓
  2. Jake Cauthen

    I desperately need help with my drone. I replaced one of my BLheli-s ESCs on my drone and it doesn’t want to spin. I’m like 90% sure I need to flash them but I’m not completely sure. Every time I try to connect to BLheli suite it says “please check betaflight revision for support of serial 1 wire passthrough or 4-way interface”. I have looked everywhere and I cannot find anyone that has this issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

    Reply ↓
    1. Oscar Post author

      ESC’s all come with firmware installed, so you don’t have to flash them in order to make them work.
      Please try using “BLHeli Configurator”? It’s easier to use, download link in in this guide.

      Reply ↓
  3. Zeus

    So I’m wondering if this can be reversed I was updating my esc’s on blheli configurator it froze during the update I messed up and I unplugged it prematurely and now three out of the four esc’s instead of showing sh70 and so forth it just says yyyy Instead.
    I’ve tried refreshing it on via healthy configurator but it won’t let me.
    Can anyone help?
    I have some pictures

    Reply ↓
  4. Eduard

    Hi, Oscar.
    I’ve have a (holybro tekko32 f3 metal esc 65a). Is it possible to calibrate it without the FC and without flashing the firmware into it. Right now I try sending 1000-2000us pwms to it and it doesn’t do anything to the motor. Thanks.

    Reply ↓
    1. Oscar Post author

      the program should ask you after updating firmware, whether you want to apply the previous settings or not?

      Reply ↓
  6. Zlo

    Hi Oscar,

    I tried the pass through on my Pixracer r14 with both blheli configurator and the suite, but I had not success. I suppose it’s because it’s not running betaflight and it cannot I can imagine.
    Do you have a recommandation for a cheap FC running betaflight in order to flash the ESC? Or should I go for the “one wire” option in my case?
    Thank you very muc, your blog is pure gold for all us!

    Kris

    Reply ↓
  7. Steven Ma

    I recently purchased 4 BLHeli_S ESC. When I flashed it, the PPM (instead of PWM) alway come out. The control board has the print of PWM (not PPM) shown. The motor used is a PWM motor and was got burned during setup. I want to know if the PPM flashed ESC can be used with the PWM control board? If not, what control board should I utilize? Thanks

    Reply ↓
  8. Juan Gonzalez

    Thank you Oscar! The BLHeliSuite worked for me! I thought my FC was damaged when it was failing to flash with BLHeli Configurator.

    Reply ↓
  9. Max

    Hi Oscar,

    Great article explaining how to set up escs. I recently installed the mamba f405 mk2 stack with the f50 esc. I completed the build and went to set up the esc just like i usually do. I connected and pressed read setup and then nothing. It said finished reading setup as usual but the screen stayed blank. I have asked many other people about this issue and no one can tell me what is wrong with it. So if you could please try to help me with this problem that would be much appreciated. Thank you.

    Reply ↓
  10. Quynn Bell

    I am kinda new to the drone community. I am currently trying to flash my Makerfire 35A BLHeli_S ESC’s. I cannot get BLHeli configurator to flash any other software besides J-H-20. I am able to load almost all versions of J-H-20. I also see other ESC types like G-H-30, but I cannot load any of these. Also, what do the different types and models mean? Does anyone know? There is little to no information online.

    My current set up is using the Makerfire 35A Esc’s, SP Racing F3 flight controller and Taranis Q X7 controller. My issue is that the motors do not spin up the same and sometimes reset mid flight. Anyone experience a similar problem? Also, the trottle response is almost none, once I give it one click of throttle the motors spool up to full speed and do not register a drop in throttle from the controller. Is this a software issue or a bad esc? I am willing to provide more information to anyone willing to help. Thanks.

    Reply ↓
  12. Luis

    I have a NiDiCi 30A “BLHeli_32” ESC and I am trying to flash the BLHeli_S firmware on it. The reason being is that my FC is a pixhawk 4 and it only takes analog input but the ESC I currently have uses digital input.
    Is there a way this can be accomplished?

    Reply ↓
  13. Richard L Doberstein

    I don’t think this is correct. You cannot flash Blheli_S esc’s with regular BlheliSuite. You will flash it with non S firmware. They have the same names. But it won’t say BLHeli_S anymore after you flash it. You have to use the BLHeli Chrome app, or use the portable version Found here github.com/blheli-configurator/blheli-configurator/releases.

    Reply ↓
  14. Jack

    I have a problem about my esc. BLheli show firmware code of motor 1,2,3 are ESC A-H-25, 16.6 but motor 4 is ESC A-H-15, 16.6 and I can not Flash it to the same above. I wonder that I use the same ESC of Little Bee 30A-S ESC but it shows not the same firmware code. Can u help me solve this problem?, Thx

    Reply ↓
  15. George Birchenough

    Hiya. Hoping you can help. I have an application where I need to use a BLDC motor as a starter motor for an engine. I need the ESC to drive the motor immediately when power provided – no arming, beeping, no calibration. Would it be possible to modify the BLHeli code to achieve this? The engine control unit currently opens a relay for 3 seconds to power a brushed motor.

    Reply ↓
  16. Matyas Csiha

    Hi Oscar,

    I’ve got a Racerstar 4 in 1 ESC.
    youtu.be/2TdfTKNpj2I

    Motor number one isn’t spinning right, even after I switched it out with another one the same thing happens.
    That’s why I think something is going on with the ESC. I flashed the firmware on all 4 and still the problem prevailed. Do you have any other ideas what the problem could be? Thank you

    Reply ↓
  17. Burak

    Hey Oscar, I just looked in these Hex files and they are all like H_L_xxx.hex , L_H_xxx.hex something. I am using Littlebee 20A Pro so what should i choose i dont know can you help me?

    Reply ↓
    1. Oscar Post author

      You shouldn’t need to choose, BLHeliSuite should detect what ESC you have and decide for you.
      If you are having trouble you can also try the BLHeli Configurator (Chrome App)

      Reply ↓
  19. Istvan Papp

    Hi Oscar,
    There is an Aikon 30A ESC

    How can I check which version?
    How to connect to Pc?

    I use CC3D Rev with openpilot software

    Reply ↓
  20. Vuk

    Hi Oscar,
    I have Emax 12A ESC based on BLHeli with NAZE 32 full version. When I connect it to BLHeli Suite and hit connect, the system recognize there are 4 escs but can’t read the type or BLheli firmware version ….. “ESC not found”.
    When I hit “check”……. ESC 1 ——-, ESC 2 ———— and so on.
    Do you have an idea why it doesn’t work?

    Thanx

    Vuk

    Reply ↓
  21. matt keenan

    1st … is it ok to use an emax 2204 2300kv motor with a (sold as ) hobbypower/ but is really a simonk 30a bec 5/2A dc 5.5v – 12.6v or can it be used on some Racestar BR 2205 ? i dont want to smoke em (esc or motor)!
    aand….
    2nd …is it ok to mix motors like an emax and a racestar if both kv ratings are same ?
    andddd….
    finally ..if u have a pre configured known to work simonk 12a esc can you copy the setup on it and put it on all 4 esc so no need to manually setup and calibrate each one seperatly.
    thanks tech gods!! ;-D

    Reply ↓
    1. Oscar Post author

      1. make sure the motor/prop combination draws current under the ESC rating and you should be good to go.
      2. don’t mix motors, just the same motors.
      3. I don’t use SimonK ESC now, nobody does anymore i think :) so I don’t know !

      Reply ↓
  22. Mitch

    Hi, just wondering I’ve got aikon SEFM ESCs and running Kiss FC. I don’t want to flash my Kiss FC with betaflight, is there a way to connect the aikon ESCs to my PC to flash them without betaflight passthrough? I had an old AFRO esc usb programmer that I connected but everytime it got to the part to connect and I had to power up my ESC it would just sit there and not recognise my ESC now had power.

    Reply ↓
  24. William Mora

    As always, great information and easy to understand. My question is where do I find the information for my esc settings? I have Bl Heli S 30 amp esc with luminier 2206 2450kv motors. I copied settings but would like to make sure everything is correct. Thank you.

    Reply ↓
    1. Oscar Post author

      multishot is part of the BLHeli_S firmware, you don’t have to flash firmware again to use it, it already exisit as an option.

      Reply ↓
  29. Jean-Marie

    Thanks for this helpful info. Could I ask if ‘unsync pwm’ must be choose with these esc and if yes, which speed (16k,32k..?) (under betaflight configurator GUI) (I’m using seriouslypro Spf3 evo)

    Reply ↓
  30. Seven5555

    Which SimonK firmware should i use on my Multistar 20A V2 ESC With BLHeli and 4A LBEC? All of the info I have found is so old that it doesnt apply

    Thank you

    Reply ↓
    1. Oscar Post author

      you can use the new GUI (16) to configure older firmware ESC (14.4), but i don’t think you can do it the other way round

      Reply ↓

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