StratuxStratux won't boot, or a reflash didn't fix it
Most boot problems come down to three things: power, the microSD card, or the image on it. Work through them in this order before suspecting the hardware.
1. Rule out power
Use a 2 A or better source and a short, good-quality cable. Laptop USB ports and 1 A phone chargers can't run Stratux reliably. Read the lights using the table in Power and status lights.
2. Reflash the microSD card
A corrupt card is the most common cause of a red-light-only unit. Follow Update the Stratux software. The mistakes we see most often:
- Flashing an old image. Download from the Download page, not an old forum link.
- A bad download. If balenaEtcher reports an error, or the zip won't open, download it again.
- Flashing the zip instead of the image. Unzip first and flash the
.img. - The wrong card. Make sure you flashed the microSD card, not another drive.
3. Try a different card
microSD cards wear out. If a fresh image on the same card still won't boot, try another card (8–32 GB, Class 10 or better) or a pre-loaded Stratux card.
4. Check what "not working" means
| What you see after a good reflash | Likely cause | Next step |
|---|---|---|
| No lights at all | Power supply or hardware | Try another supply and cable; then it's likely the Pi |
| Lights, but no Wi-Fi network | Card or hardware | Wait 2 minutes, try another card |
| Wi-Fi, but no GPS | Cold start or a loose GPS | GPS troubleshooting |
| Wi-Fi, but no traffic or weather on the ground | Normal | No weather or traffic |
| Power only works when you press on the cable | Worn or broken power port | Hardware repair; reflashing won't help |
Still stuck?
If you've tried a known-good power source, a fresh image and a second card, and it still won't boot, the hardware has probably failed. If you bought a pre-built unit, contact the seller before buying parts. Crew Dog Electronics customers can reach Crew Dog support. Builders can ask on Discord.