meshtastic/docs/getting-started/serial-drivers/test-serial-driver-installation.mdx

---
id: test-serial-driver-installation
title: Test Serial Driver Installation
sidebar_label: Test Serial Driver Installation
sidebar_position: 3
---

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### Test Serial Driver Installation

You can verify that you have a proper data cable (rather than a charge-only type cable) and that the appropriate drivers for your system are installed by performing the following test:

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1. Connect your Meshtastic device to your USB port
2. Open a **Terminal** and enter the following command:

```shell
lsusb
```

<!-- trunk-ignore(markdownlint/MD029) -->

3. You should see something like:

```shell
ID xxxx:xxxx Silicon Labs CP210x UART Bridge
# or
ID xxxx:xxxx QinHeng Electronics USB Single Serial
# or
FIXME (WISBLOCK OUTPUT)
```

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1. Navigate to `Apple Menu  > About This Mac > System Report... > Hardware > USB`.
2. You should see similar to one of the following entries:

- `CP210X USB to UART Bridge Controller`
- `CH9102 USB to UART Bridge Controller`
- `WisCore RAK4631 Board`

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1. Navigate to `Device Manager > Ports (COM & LPT)`
2. You should see similar to one of the following entries:

- `Silicon Labs CP210X USB to UART Bridge (COM5)`
- `Silicon Labs CH9102 USB to UART Bridge (COM5)`
- `FIXME (WISBLOCK OUTPUT)`

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:::info

If you are unable to see your device:

- Make sure that your cable is not only for charging but also for [data transfer](/docs/getting-started/#verify-data-cable).
- It's possible that you need to [reinstall the USB serial driver](/docs/getting-started/serial-drivers).

:::

## Flash Firmware

After completing the previous steps, you can now flash the Meshtastic firmware onto your device. To proceed, select the appropriate device type for your device.

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        Flash ESP32 Firmware
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    </div>

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        Flash nRF52 Firmware
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  </div>
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