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BK7231N Generic Smart Switch: Aliexpress Flashing, Soldering Cables & CloudCutter Issues

giovannij600 2400 12
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  • #1 20538617
    giovannij600
    Level 3  
    Posts: 16
    Rate: 1
    This is a generic smart switch from Aliexpress.
    I try cloudcutter but without success

    Please can you help me to understand how to flash, and where to solder cables?

    Thanks

    BK7231N Generic Smart Switch: Aliexpress Flashing, Soldering Cables & CloudCutter Issues BK7231N Generic Smart Switch: Aliexpress Flashing, Soldering Cables & CloudCutter Issues
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    #2 20538840
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
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    Hello, with such low quality photo, I am unable to point which pads are RX, TX, 3.3V and GND, but you should be able to figure it yourself with:
    BK7231N Generic Smart Switch: Aliexpress Flashing, Soldering Cables & CloudCutter Issues

    But isn't it similar to the switch here:
    [BK7231N+BL0942] DIY Smart Mini Switch - WBP-1G - configuration, pinout, program
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  • #3 20538882
    giovannij600
    Level 3  
    Posts: 16
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    Hello and thanks for the reply. Yes, it looks the same as what you posted, I couldn't find it before! Please now can you tell me how I can proceed with flashing? Thank you
  • #4 20538885
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
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    Is it BK7231N or T?

    BK7231N tutorials:
    BK7231 GUI flasher: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQdR7r6lXRY
    hid_download_py: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2e1SUQNMrgY

    https://github.com/openshwprojects/BK7231GUIFlashTool
    https://github.com/OpenBekenIOT/hid_download_py
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  • #5 20538900
    giovannij600
    Level 3  
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    Om thanks again.
    It is N.

    I understand how to use the flash tool but I do not understand how to connect pins to USB to TTL.
    Also I do not understand why in the videos she does not connect the 3.3V directly to USB to TTL but uses an external 5V with a level converter?
  • #6 20538948
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
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    3.3V from that tiny LDO on USB to UART converter does not have enough current capability to power WiFi module and with this approach you may get flashing issues.

    You can always just find the AMS1117 3.3V LDO regulator on the board of your device and just connect USB 5V to the input of AMS1117-3.3V so it outputs 3.3V for WiFi module
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  • #7 20538958
    giovannij600
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    >>20538882

    Sorry just now I realized the link you posted and also the image is for the T version, I have the N version.
    The pinout is the same?
    I attach a more detailed image

    BK7231N Generic Smart Switch: Aliexpress Flashing, Soldering Cables & CloudCutter Issues
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    #8 20538978
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
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    The pinout is the same for both versions - RX, TX, GND and VDD are in the same places.
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  • #9 20538986
    giovannij600
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    >>20538948

    Do you mean I can find it on the smart switch itself or in the USB to TTL?
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    #10 20538998
    p.kaczmarek2
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    I think this topic has marked pads, please open the image:
    p.kaczmarek2 wrote:

    But isn't it similar to the switch here:
    [BK7231N+BL0942] DIY Smart Mini Switch - WBP-1G - configuration, pinout, program

    It has shown which is RX, TX, 3.3V, etc...
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  • #11 20539031
    giovannij600
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    Sorry, I ask for a little patience but I need to understand well.

    I have to connect to device to USB to TTL in this way:

    DEVICE ---------USBtoTTL


    RX --------------TX
    TX---------------RX
    CEN ----------- for flashing mode


    and from a USB connected to the PC I take the 5V and the GND


    USB-----------Device
    GND -----------GND
    5V ------------ 5V indicated on the image (I attach the detailed image here)


    Is this correct?

    BK7231N Generic Smart Switch: Aliexpress Flashing, Soldering Cables & CloudCutter Issues

    Added after 5 [hours] 41 [minutes]:

    Added after 39 [seconds]:

    I get it!!
    Flashed with the last OpenBK Version
  • #12 20540011
    p.kaczmarek2
    Moderator Smart Home  
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    Your connections looks okay. Which tool did you use? Please attach firmware backup if you can. Good job with updating firmware.
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  • #13 20540088
    giovannij600
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    I use GUIFlashTool, now I'm not at PC I used to flash but when I come home I will upload it
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Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around flashing a BK7231N generic smart switch purchased from Aliexpress. The user initially faced difficulties with CloudCutter and sought guidance on flashing and soldering connections. Various responses provided insights into identifying RX, TX, GND, and VDD pins, with confirmation that the pinout for the N version is the same as the T version. It was advised to use an external 5V power source with a level converter due to insufficient current from the USB to TTL converter. The user successfully flashed the device using the GUIFlashTool after clarifying the correct wiring connections.
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FAQ

TL;DR: BK7231N/T smart switches expose 4 UART pads; "The pinout is the same for both versions." Use those RX, TX, GND, and VDD pads to wire your programmer. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538978]

Why it matters: Clear pad mapping lets you bypass cloud locks and reliably flash OpenBeken on low-cost AliExpress switches.

Quick facts:

Quick Facts

Does the BK7231N use the same UART pinout as the BK7231T?

Yes. The RX, TX, GND, and VDD pads are in the same places on both. "The pinout is the same for both versions." [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538978]

How do I wire a USB‑to‑TTL adapter to this switch?

Cross‑connect UART: adapter TX to device RX, and adapter RX to device TX. Tie grounds together. The moderator confirmed this wiring looked correct in the thread. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20540011]

How should I power the board while flashing?

Do not use the USB‑to‑UART adapter’s small 3.3 V regulator to power the Wi‑Fi module. Feed 5 V to the board’s AMS1117‑3.3 input so it outputs 3.3 V. Weak LDO power can cause flashing issues or unstable resets. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538948]

Which pads are RX, TX, 3.3 V, and GND on this PCB?

Use the labeled image in the linked WBP‑1G post. It identifies RX, TX, 3.3 V (VDD), and GND for a matching board layout. Verify your pads against that reference before soldering. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538998]

Which tools should I use to flash BK7231N over UART?

Use BK7231 GUI Flash Tool or the Python hid_download_py utility. These are the recommended tools in the BK7231N tutorials shared by the moderator. Follow the video guides for step order. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538885]

Cloudcutter didnt work. What should I do next?

Fall back to UART flashing. Use the BK7231 GUI Flash Tool or hid_download_py to program firmware over serial. This approach is recommended for BK7231N when OTA methods fail. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538885]

Do I need to use the CEN pin to enter flashing mode?

In this thread, the user connected CEN for flashing mode and then completed a successful OpenBK flash. If your setup matches, that approach can work. [Elektroda, giovannij600, post #20539031]

Has anyone actually flashed this exact AliExpress switch?

Yes. The original poster reported success flashing the latest OpenBK using the GUI Flash Tool after wiring the UART pads. That validates the method described here. [Elektroda, giovannij600, post #20539031]

My photo is blurry. How can I still identify pads?

Provide a sharp macro photo or rely on a matching reference image. The moderator could not confirm pads from a low‑quality photo and pointed to a labeled diagram instead. Clear visuals prevent mistakes. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538840]

Can I sanity‑check my wiring before flashing?

Confirm adapter TX goes to device RX, adapter RX to device TX, and grounds are common. The moderator responded that such connections "looks okay" in this case. Double‑check before applying power. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20540011]

Should I back up the original firmware?

Yes. After a successful flash, the moderator requested a firmware backup from the user. Creating a backup beforehand helps troubleshooting and sharing device data. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20540011]

How do I flash OpenBK via UART? (3 quick steps)

  1. Identify RX, TX, GND, and VDD pads on the board and solder leads.
  2. Cross‑connect RX↔TX, tie GND, and power the board appropriately.
  3. Use BK7231 GUI Flash Tool or hid_download_py to write OpenBK over serial. [Elektroda, p.kaczmarek2, post #20538885]
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