Updating the Firmware

Overview

This is a list of steps to follow when updating the Grbl firmware

Backup Settings

The first thing we need to do is backup the settings from the Grbl firmware / Arduino

• Open putty and connect to the Grbl / Arduino Uno

• http://www.chiark.greenend.org.uk/~sgtatham/putty/download.html

• Type $$ followed by a carriage return

• Copy and paste the output into a text file

Download Files

Next we need to grab the latest firmware version

• https://github.com/grbl/grbl
• Version 0.9j (2016-03-17) seems to be the latest at the time of writing

Next download XLoader

• http://russemotto.com/xloader/

Flash Firmware

Next to flash the new Hex file to the Arduino

• Reset the Controller board
• Open XLoader
• Select the correct COM Port
• Make sure Arduino UNO is selected for the device
• Browse to the new hex file
• Click Upload
• Wait for the upload to complete

Restore custom settings

As a final step we need to restore any custom settings that were originally applied

• Connect via putty (with the latest firmware this is now at a speed of 115200)
• Use $$ to list all settings
• Add in any differences needed to the settings