I bought the FixHub soldering station kit sometime in February-March 2025, when the FixHub was still marked for pre-order (I think?), but was already on the shelves of Micro Center. I had only tried to turn it on for the first time after purchase yesterday (which in hindsight was an extreme misjudgement for quality checks of purchased tools that are relatively valuable). So, naturally I figured the battery probably drained out during that time.

I saw mentions of updating the FixHub's firmware via web searching, but I wasn't able to figure out how to do so until today. I was able to use the FixHub's web console page to update the FixHub to the latest version of 1.4.0. So, at least the FixHub wasn't dead on arrival.

However, 1.4.0 firmware version ends up in a very bad edge/corner case when the device is drained to 0%, has its firmware immediately updated to 1.4.0, and then attempts to charge its completely drained internal battery.

Generally FixHub will attempt to charge and the charging animation will come up, but eventually within 10-15 seconds encounter battery error B02/battery disconnected (though only once I saw it experience battery error B04/battery charging stopped for protection in the error logs part of the settings). (The FixHub error codes can be looked up here.) The FixHub will then turn itself off, and the empty battery icon will show when FixHub is turned off. If one attempts to turn of FixHub in this state, then the normal on menu will come up, but the battery icon will flash between completely empty (with just the battery outline) and the slightest line charge to show the 0% battery state. Due to this state, one can only get FixHub to navigate through the settings menu, but won't be able to heat up to solder. Not even using a non-PD cable of USB-A and USB-C could get the FixHub to begin charging past 0%.

I was able to resolve this issue by downgrading the firmware (or conducting a firmware downgrade attack, if the FixHub were to be used in a more stringent infosec scenario; but also not really because there was no firmware rollback protection in the first place) to the second latest firmware version 1.32, as I found the FixHub web console was still always able to work with the web serial interface. (Coincidentally, this reminds me of the web installer for Google Pixel/GrapheneOS, as these also seem to only work with Chromium-based browsers.) The process may have failed once at most, though I was able to simply refresh the FixHub web console page to start the process over again very quickly. Once I successfully flashed firmware version 1.3.2, then FixHub was able to charge with a "typical" GaN charger from 0% with no boot looping.

Although this is likely a rare edge case "in the field", if this issue can be reproduced, then I would recommend that this boot looping issue should be fixed in the next FixHub firmware release.

Update: I was able to upgrade the firmware from version 1.3.2 to 1.4.0 after the FixHub was fully charged. (I made sure to reset the battery health via the web console.) Before I upgraded the firmware and probably when the battery became fully charged (I wasn't home while it charged), the FixHub experienced a total of at least 4 consecutive B16 battery errors/battery warm (not hot). (The FixHub can only save a max of the latest 4 errors in the error log.) After about 2-3 failed attempts of upgrading the firmware from 1.3.2 to 1.4.0 (including when there was a false success result and the firmware stayed at 1.3.2), the FixHub was able to update to firmware 1.4.0. I will test to make sure the soldering functions work on the FixHub, to make sure the FixHub functions properly. If I don't make any further edits, then assume that the FixHub is working fine.

Final update: This issue seems to have been addressed in firmware version 1.4.2. According to the release notes for this version on August 8, 2025, the changelog on the console page states:

• Fixed bootlooping errors that occurred when charging a dead battery
• Improved accuracy of charge timer warnings
• Minimized interruptions and clarified language regarding battery temperature errors

⟐ Edited by author October 22, 2025 at 20:01 MST

Guessing I may have a lemon but wanted to check here first…

⟐ Answer edited July 29, 2025 at 1:10 MST

What does this mean, and how can I prevent it from happening in the future?

The battery was fully charged when I started, and was about 75% when I finished for the day.

Also, probably related, several times when I turned the power station on with the soldering iron connected, I got this screen:

What can I do about this? It went away when I power cycled.

⟐ Commented July 23, 2025 at 18:29 MST

I’ve confirmed that both the Smart Station and the Iron are running firmware version 1.4.0. However, when I downgrade both devices to version 1.3.2, the error disappears.

I believe this may be a false error. When I check the firmware directly from the Smart Station’s menu, it correctly reports that both the Smart Station and the Iron are on version 1.4.0.

However, when I click on the error message in the Fix It Hub Console, it shows the Iron firmware as blank, while the Hub firmware still shows 1.4.0.

I’ve also tested this on a second computer to rule out a browser issue, and the behavior is the same.

Any thoughts on what might be causing this?

⟐ Commented July 29, 2025 at 0:59 MST

⟐ Commented July 11, 2025 at 15:03 MST

⟐ Commented November 28, 2025 at 23:11 MST

I was then asked to update the firmware but then found out the updater was switched off due to a current firmware issue, but they have fixed that now and i was able to update the firmware. The Soldering iron does seem a little better but i still have to unplug it a few times to actaully get it to work. When i switch the hub on the iron shows as connected and the temp shows but as soon as i switch the iron on it disconnects and i have to unplug it a few times to get it to work again.

Has anyone else had this issue and found the way to fix this?

I love the design etc but i need it to just work!

Sadly contacting for support is very slow and can take a few days just to get a reply to say update firmware, or have you tried removing the tip etc, basically the first things you would check and not need to be told to check! They really need a dedicated support email

⟐ Commented February 12, 2025 at 11:14 MST

⟐ Commented February 07, 2025 at 8:29 MST

⟐ Answered December 14, 2024 at 21:22 MST

But one remains. The unit does not turn on reliably. Sometimes it turns on as it should with a 3 sec push of the blue button. Most of the time it does not.

• Sometimes the introductory splash screen will start, then stop and go away.
• Sometimes repeating the attempt a few more times, it may eventually come on.
• Sometimes pushing the blue and silver buttons for ten seconds to reset, then it will power up, but not always.
• Sometimes nothing I do will bring it alive, so I just walk away, only to have it work the next day.

This behavior seems to be independent of room temperature (55-70F) and battery status (40-100%).

The FixHub is a very cool concept and I want to love it, but I can't until it works reliably. I was hoping to be able to use it for remote repairs, but the last thing I need is to be on a mountain top in the field and not have the FixHub perform.

I have tried all the advice I can find on your website, but no joy yet. Help please! Thanks!

⟐ Commented March 04, 2025 at 4:02 MST

⟐ Answer accepted February 13, 2025 at 14:18 MST

Please advise - there is something definitely wrong with the portable power station

When plugging it into the computer, it shows the unit is in DFU mode, and says the firmware is on an unofficial build. Trying to restore it to a previous version

⟐ Commented March 12, 2025 at 19:40 MST

⟐ Commented September 16, 2024 at 12:08 MST

This is not exactly a question, but I haven't found better place :(

While this suggestions are meant mostly for iFixit team, but because I couldn't find any e-mail to write to iFixit, I'm writing them here on the forum. And on the second thought, maybe you (the other users) have similar feelings like me and you can - so to speak - "vote" on those suggestions :)

Before I begin, a little story.

If you're from iFixit team, please read. If you here just for suggestions, just jump straight to "Suggestions" section :)

I'm not any pro user, not pro repairer. I just needed good soldering iron for very occasional fixes. Or maybe for future when I finally some day start learning with electronics... anyway, here in Poland most of soldering irons are available as iron connected directly to mains in the wall. Sometimes maybe with additional temp control and nothing more. And it takes few minutes to heat up...

So I asked friend who did some electronics and he immiedately proposed me iFixit. Well... it wasn't really proposal... it was more like "I've got iFixit, and you must get it, there's nothing else so good". (Friend moved to US, I'm still in Poland)

I looked into website, ordered with kinda pain in the wallet and tear in my eye due to price. Yeah, I didn't want to order small pieces, so I decided to order probably most expensive set "FixHub | Power Series Soldering Toolkit" with almost everything. Along some tools like Magnetic Pickup Tool and FixMat (that's a cool one!).

I've had slight problems at first startup (read 1st suggestion in which I explained), but after 2 uses... I must say... I was amazed and this is exactly textbook example of difference between "price" vs. "value". Because this thing is %#*@ cheap by what it gives!

• Battery pack so I can use it on-the-go? Hell yeah! I do occasional side gigs (literal gigs lol) being technicial/live sound mixing guy, and I've seen multiple times that other techs fixed something right before concert because something broke. Other tools I looked in the shops? Need standard wall power... and while there's a lot of power at concerts, it's always very inconvinient to iron with cable hanging on the back of the rack in half-darkness or whatever, so it's great to have battery!
• Heating speed - ON MY GOD IT'S SO FAST!!! It takes me 10x longer to take this Hub from my closet, open pouch, take the Hub off, take the USB-C table off it, take the iron out of it, connect together and start than actually wait for heating... The tip of iron gets into 270C in just few seconds! There's your value, RIGHT THERE! I love it. No need to connect ironing tool into socket, and go make a tea and eat half a dinner because now you have to wait 5 minut with traiditional ironing tool to heat... not to mention, how unprecise such heating it, while in iFixit I can specify temperature very precisely.
• Oh, should I mention the solder cap so I don't burn myself by accident when I finish using it?

I also ordered this to be able to push insets into my 3D prints (so I need to heat inset and just push), and I was worried that minimum possible temperature of 200C is too high for this, as PLA starts melting at about 65-70C. Turned out... I didn't need to worry, because I would need constant heat of 65C for weeks/months in order to PLA start melting. I started with 200C and I wasn't able to melt that plastic, so... yeah, no need to worry if you want to use this with 3D printing, as you still need to set it to 250-270C like your 3D Printer does in order to melt plastic fast :D

After those experiences - even including initial problems - it's still the best money I've ever spent. Even for my very occasional use (just few times a year at most!).

Finally the Suggestions:

1. Web interface

At first I've had problems starting device, read few articles, turns out some devices were sent with some weird problematic firmware and I just had to do update. Sounds easy right? Especially that I found out, that I can simply connect device into computer, and there's nice web site that can access RS232 devices - and this soldering hub to be specific.

Well... there was issue I didn't understand at I don't think I read somewhere specifically - The Hub has separate web UI than soldering iron itself.

I mean - it's obvious that they have since they are different devices, but it wasn't exactly clear.

What I mean is: on Hub web UI I can upgrade Hub's firmware. But I need to connect iron separately to computer in order to upgrade Soldering Iron firmware. Then I also discovered that I can control Soldering Iron from Chrome (not exactly useful feature to me, due to where my docking station is placed on the desk, but hey, cool feature and might be very useful in some occasions!).

The problem I had is that on Hub's web UI, I was seeing that Iron was connected to one of the USB-C ports, so I was somehow trying to find a way to set parameters of Soldering Iron and upgrade firmware (essentially, access UI of the Iron itself since this is was I was seeing in Google Search)! But it turned out to be not possible and I just had to connect Iron separately.

So the suggestion is:

• Can we have possibility of upgrading Iron's firmware along with controlling specific Irons through Hub's web interface? That would make updating firmware and general operation far easier to understand for first-time users :)
• Also, on https://www.ifixit.com/fixhub/console please explain why Firefox is not compatible. Given how false such info are on many websites, I tend to simply switch User Agent to access website on Firefox. But it turned out, you need Serial access through browser which is really technical limitation this time. Please just include "Hey, you're browser doesn't support Serial access so you need to use another one" :)

2. Offline web UI

Given what I wrote about live concert situation, usually there's no internet at the place, and even if we could use LTE/5G, it's very inconvinient as we already have our devices usually connected to mixers or other audio control equipment, so switching networks (thus disconnecting Wi-Fi) is not really convinient as there's quite high level of multi-tasking during stage setup.

That might be already done as it's possible to configure web page to save itself into browser in a way to work offline, I haven't tested to be honest.

3. Official Longer USB-C cable

The Hub supports up to 2 soldering irons at the same time. Personally I don't find need for this, but it might be very useful for some people. The problem I discovered is that the USB-C cable that somes with Hub+Iron bundle is ok for personal use, but I feel it might be slightly too short for dual-people use. I might be wrong because I was not in two-people situation - so let the others decide if this suggestion is even valid in the first place.

It's not really problem to buy longer high-wattage USB-C cable. But the official one is very flexible which is great for the ironing task, and finding something so flexible is kinda impossible.

Thanks iFixit!

⟐ Reopened January 26, 2026 at 17:33 MST

I recently updated the Soldering station and Smart soldering iron to 1.4.3, and went about with soldering no issue.

After a little while, i got an error on the screen of the station, asking me to update to the latest firmware.

When i plugged it into a Computer and opened the ifixit console online, it tells me that the update is not complete. When attempting to finish the update, it will install no problem, but then continue to tell me the update still isn't fully installed, and wont let me continue to solder.

Downgrading to a later update, such as 1.3.x, will remove the onscreen error, but wont connect to the soldering iron. Even when downgrading the tip, the error still persists.

Going as far as downgrading both devices to Version 1.x.x, it will still say that the update is incomplete.

After disassembling the device for a visual inspection, there are two LED's flashing on the inside. D4 seems to flash almost constantly, but with D6 flashing when trying to perform any sort of update alongside D4.

Currently stuck as i have soldering jobs to finish but a soldering station that doesn't work.

Any advice or a fix would be great.

Thanks in advance.

Will CTMT

⟐ Answered March 12, 2026 at 6:06 MST

⟐ Answer edited April 15, 2025 at 10:14 MST

When connected to my pc it reports firmware version 1.0.3. (both station as soldering pencil) but not a newer version available. I read about many other versions up to 1.0.7 and a almost released 1.0.8.

I tried with edge, chrome and opera, all connected without any issues but no newer firmware versions or the option to upgrade or downgrade.

Not sure what to do to get it updated.

⟐ Answer accepted February 12, 2025 at 3:11 MST

⟐ Answer edited January 09, 2025 at 6:58 MST

⟐ Answered October 27, 2025 at 15:48 MST

⟐ Answer accepted September 29, 2025 at 13:53 MST