Last updated: October 2026

To update Pinecil firmware on Windows, hold the [-] button while you plug a USB data cable into the iron’s USB-C port, keep holding for about 10 to 15 seconds until the screen stays black, then flash the IronOS file with the right tool for your model: PineFlash or Blisp for a Pinecil V2 (.bin file), and the Pine64 Updater, PineFlash or dfu-util for a Pinecil V1 (.dfu file). The latest stable IronOS release at the time of writing is v2.23, published on GitHub on August 31, 2025.

These steps come from the Pine64 wiki and the IronOS project on GitHub. Firmware tools change, so check those pages if a screen or file name no longer matches.

Safety first: Pine64 warns not to use the DC barrel jack while updating firmware, or you may damage your PC and Pinecil. Never connect both rear ports at the same time. Let the tip cool before handling, and unplug the iron before you start.

Step 1: Find out if you have a V1 or V2

The two versions use different chips and different firmware files, so this matters.

Pinecil V1Pinecil V2
Grip colorLight blueGreen
BoxBlackWhite
SoldUntil July 2022From August 2022
MicrocontrollerGD32VF103Bouffalo BL706 (with Bluetooth LE)
Firmware file type.dfu.bin
IronOS downloadPinecil.zipPinecilv2.zip
Windows toolsPine64 Updater, PineFlash, dfu-utilPineFlash, Blisp

Each release also has a _multi-lang.zip version with more languages.

Step 2: Check your current firmware version

Power the Pinecil from a USB-C supply and hold the [-] button. The screen shows the version and build date, something like v2.19.A3BBABC 13-07-22 (that example is from the Pine64 wiki). If it already reads v2.23, you are on the latest stable release.

Step 3: Get a suitable cable and port

  • Use a USB cable that carries data, not a charge-only cable. Pine64 suggests trying both USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables if one does not work.
  • Plug directly into the PC. Do not use a hub.
  • If the computer only supplies 5 V, a “DC Low” message is normal according to the IronOS docs; it does not stop the update.

Step 4: Put the Pinecil in flashing mode

  1. Unplug everything from the Pinecil.
  2. Press and hold [-] (the button at the back).
  3. While still holding, plug the USB cable into the Pinecil’s rear USB-C port, then into the PC.
  4. Keep holding [-] for about 10 to 15 seconds, then release.
  5. The screen should stay black and empty. That means it is in flashing mode.

If the normal home screen appears, unplug and try again, holding the button longer.

Updating a Pinecil V2 on Windows

Option A: PineFlash (graphical)

PineFlash is a GUI flasher that supports both V1 and V2.

  1. Download the latest Windows .exe from the PineFlash releases page on GitHub and double-click it.
  2. Select Pinecil V2.
  3. Choose the firmware version you want (pick the newest stable IronOS release).
  4. Put the iron in flashing mode (Step 4) and connect it.
  5. Press the flash button and wait for it to finish.

Option B: Blisp (command line)

Blisp is the official command-line flasher for the V2’s BL706 chip. The Pine64 wiki’s Windows steps are:

  1. Download Blisp for Windows from its GitHub releases page and unzip it.
  2. Download Pinecilv2.zip from the IronOS releases page and unzip it.
  3. Right-click each downloaded zip, open Properties, and tick Unblock if it appears, before extracting.
  4. Copy Pinecilv2_EN.bin (English) into the Blisp folder. Use a different language file if you prefer.
  5. The wiki has you open PowerShell as administrator and run Set-ExecutionPolicy RemoteSigned so the tool can run. This changes a Windows security setting; read Microsoft’s description of it first, and skip it if Blisp already runs without it.
  6. In PowerShell, change to the Blisp folder.
  7. Put the Pinecil in flashing mode (Step 4).
  8. Run:
.\blisp.exe write -c bl70x --reset .\Pinecilv2_EN.bin
  1. When it completes, unplug the iron, plug it back in, and hold [-] for about 3 seconds to confirm the new version.

The wiki notes the same command also works from an administrator Command Prompt without the .\ prefix.

Updating a Pinecil V1 on Windows

Option A: Pine64 Updater (graphical)

The IronOS docs call the Pine64 Updater the easy option for V1.

  1. Download and install Pine64 Updater (linked from the Pine64 wiki and IronOS docs).
  2. Open it. The app automatically fetches the newest stable IronOS release from GitHub.
  3. Pick your language from the drop-down list.
  4. Put the iron in flashing mode (Step 4) and follow the on-screen prompts.
  5. If you want to flash again, close and reopen the app first; the wiki says it must be restarted between flashes.

Option B: PineFlash

Same as the V2 steps above, but select Pinecil V1. If PineFlash reports Cannot open DFU device ... (LIBUSB_ERROR_NOT_SUPPORTED), the PineFlash README says you need the WinUSB driver for the device; it links to libusb’s Windows setup guide.

Option C: dfu-util (command line)

Advanced users can flash the .dfu file from Pinecil.zip with dfu-util. The IronOS docs recommend updating dfu-util to the newest version if you get errors, and on Windows you may need the WinUSB driver for the iron in DFU mode (the same driver issue PineFlash describes).

Troubleshooting

  • Blisp says “Device not found” but Windows shows a COM port. Auto-detection failed. Name the port yourself, for example: .\blisp.exe write -p COM3 -c bl70x --reset .\Pinecilv2_EN.bin (use the COM number shown in Device Manager).
  • Nothing is detected at all. Flip the USB-C plug over, try another cable, another USB port, or another computer, and avoid hubs.
  • Screen is not black after plugging in. You were not in flashing mode. Hold [-] before plugging in and keep holding for the full 10 to 15 seconds.
  • Running Windows in a virtual machine. The wiki says to make sure Microsoft Visual C++ 2015 to 2022 is installed if the process fails.
  • Still failing on Windows. The IronOS V2 docs note that some users fixed stubborn issues by flashing from a different operating system, typically a Linux live USB.
  • Worried you bricked it. For the V1, the IronOS docs explain the DFU bootloader lives in ROM, so a firmware update cannot permanently damage it; a bad flash can be fixed by flashing again.

What changed in IronOS v2.23

According to the v2.23 release notes on GitHub, this release reworked I2C on the Pinecil V2 to fix temperature regulation and screen glitch issues, adjusted PID tuning, added experimental support for 4-ohm tips, and improved thermal runaway detection. Because a small number of V2 units had interference between Bluetooth Low Energy and some devices, Bluetooth is now disabled by default.

After updating, see our Pinecil vs TS101 comparison for how it stacks up, or learn through-hole soldering. Leaded solder contains lead, so wash your hands after use and ventilate the fumes.

FAQ

How do I know which IronOS file to use? V1 uses the .dfu file in Pinecil.zip. V2 uses the .bin file in Pinecilv2.zip, such as Pinecilv2_EN.bin for English.

Can I update the Pinecil with the barrel jack connected? No. Pine64 warns that using the DC barrel jack during a firmware update can damage your PC and the iron. Use only the USB-C port.

What is the latest Pinecil firmware? At the time of writing, IronOS v2.23 is the latest stable release on GitHub. Newer development builds exist, but the stable release is the safe choice.

Why is my Pinecil’s Bluetooth off after updating? IronOS v2.23 disables Bluetooth by default on the V2, per the release notes. Check the IronOS documentation on GitHub for how to re-enable it.

Sources