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

⟐ Answer accepted June 13, 2025 at 8:31 MST

The error message stated: "Make sure you do not already have another connection open and try again."

I tried the following troubleshooting steps without success:

• Fresh boot with no other applications or browser tabs open.
• Tried multiple USB ports.

The solution that worked for me was adding my user account to the dialout group. I used the command: sudo usermod -a -G dialout <username> (replacing <username> with my actual username). After running this command and then logging out and back in, I verified I was added to the group using groups <username> and was then able to connect to the web console successfully after a reboot.

This seems to be a common permission issue on Linux systems for accessing serial ports.

⟐ Commented January 14, 2026 at 11:44 MST

Outside the box, plugged into a USB-PD charger, the screen did not work.

Followed up with online tech documents, plugged in the device to my PC, and visited FixHub Console, which successfully detected the device. After being prompted to update to firmware 1.4.0, the screen finally turned on. The device shows a charging animation. After a while, to see if the battery would charge >0%, the device screen flashed "Battery Error, tool shutdown". When Attempted to plug into a USB-PD charger, a similar error popped up.

Replugged it into the PC, following the same instructions to update the firmware to 1.4.0 (again), and was notified of a successful update (again). However, the same Battery Error fault persisted.

I submitted a ticket to support under "other", but I'm unsure if that was the correct choice. I'm submitting a question here in case this is the correct method.

⟐ Commented July 22, 2025 at 11:44 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 just purchased my FixHub Soldering Toolkit today and decided to upgrade to the latest firmware. It came with 1.0.3 and after upgrading to 1.0.7 it no longer detected the soldering iron. I decided to downgrade back to 1.0.3, but this errored during the 'resetting device' stage after it uploaded the firmware.

The display no longer shows anything at all and the device seems to not power on. I opened it and disconnected the battery for 10 minutes then reconnected it and tried to power it on with no luck.

I can put the device into DFU mode by holding down the silver knob while connecting a USB cable to the back port. It will load up in the web console, but it still shows 1.0.7 on the device and no downgrades succeed nor will the device power on.

Please help!

⟐ Commented May 22, 2025 at 11:56 MST

I am unable to turn on the power station. It does not seem to do anything after pressing the action button. Also tried the 10 second hard reset but nothing happens.

After hours of charging nothing happens. There is supposed to be a battery icon displayed while charging but the screen remains black.

I tested with different -verified working- USB-C chargers and cables but nothing work.

Any suggestions?

⟐ Commented October 28, 2025 at 7:54 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

Am thinking this would be via a terminal session, as the "knob" doesn't seem to show this option.

Also, is there any documentation on the CLI serial commands?

Some, like mcu-sn or toolinfo, are fairly straightforward, but am wondering if there's a comprehensive list of the other commands, similar to a man page.

⟐ Commented February 22, 2026 at 7:13 MST

⟐ Commented July 14, 2025 at 8:46 MST

I purchased the FixHub and it works wonderfully except for one small issue. When powering the iron off, after a while I will receive a battery charging halt error at 98%.

otherwise the iron works fine and discharges and charges as normal. Is this just a visual error, or is there something I should look into? I am on firmware 1.0.5

Thanks!

⟐ Commented January 08, 2025 at 15:31 MST

⟐ Commented November 28, 2025 at 23:11 MST

⟐ Commented June 13, 2025 at 7:15 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

⟐ Commented January 22, 2025 at 20:55 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