Configuring Xbees

Step 5: Un bricking a frozen Xbee.

Alright, so the sort of disclaimer on this whole Instructable is that you may freeze up you Xbee during the update process when changing settings, and modifying the xbee via XCTU. Don't worry, it is rare. But if you happen to run into this dead xbee situation here are the steps to try before ripping some hair out, and declaring your Xbee's time of death. 

These steps we contributed by Cristof. Thanks to him, we have a solid step by step run down on how to attempt a fix.

1. Take the module out of the interface board.
2. Connect the interface board to the computer.
3. Open X-CTU make sure Baud Rate is set to 9600
4. Go to "Modem Configuration"
5. Put a check in the "Always update firmware" box
6. Select proper modem from drop down menu,
7. Select proper function set and firmware version
from drop down menus.
8. Click on the "Write" button. After a few seconds of
trying to read the modem, you will get an Info box
that says Action Needed. At this point, CAREFULLY
insert the module into the interface board.
9. You may get the info box again a short while after,
just use the reset button on the interface board.

Update: Well after letting this instructable soak for a while, some comments brought a missing piece to my attention. If you are working with an Xbee Explorer board that does not have a reset button, you can not complete the process. That won't do, so we have come up with a simple fix for you. Take a wire to jump a connection between RST, and GND. When it comes to the point that you need to reset (Hint this will work any time you need to reset.) just jump the two pins together, and you have reset the device! Good Luck friends.

Update 8/23 Thanks to reader kolment2003 a great recommendation to use a bread board, to switch for the Reset to Ground. This will allow a solid connection, and a reliable reset when you need it. Thanks  kolment2003

Comments

[jcarrr]

This works like a champ in every carrier I have tried it with. No wires, no buttons, no fuss. One of those "ahah" moments. Wish I had thought of it

[mattsargent]

To un-Brick:

OK, I tried your UNBRICK technique and it worked once for me, but I did my mistake again and I could not get it back. I looked for a good long time and found the following. It even worked with my non-Digi usb board from Parallax...

It uses the X-CTU program and signals the module using break on the terminal window - you have to use the wire-to-reset trick, but it works!

http://www.digi.com/wiki/developer/index.php/Bootloader_to_force_XBee_reflash

[gceselin]

Hi,
I've bought two Xbee-PRO XSC with two XBee Explorer Regulated boards and a FTDI cable from sparkfun store.
I've tried to use them many times, but they don't work.

I've tried to manage them by X-CTU, Xbee module has been connect using sparkfun XBee Explorer Regulated board and FTDI usb cable. Parameters has been set to 9600 8-N-1 FLOW:NONE, API enabled, no baud change.
The test result has been "Comunication with modem..OK Modem type = Name unknown (ID = 42949672481228316) Modem firmware version= "
I've tried to disconnect the module or change it and the result has been always the same!
I've tried to update firmware by following your instruction, but X-CTU returned always the same sentence "Getting modem type....OK
Programming modem...Lost communication with modem
Write Parameters...Failed".
If I disable the API function and update, the Action Required windows appeared. I followed the instruction by resetting the module (pin5+ground) and the following sentence appeared: "Getting modem type....OK
Programming modem...Detected baud rate difference.
Make sure PC and modem baud rate is set correctly
Lost communication with modem
Write Parameters...Failed".
I've tried also by using "GUI serial Xbee3" for MAC OS, but neither it worked.
I've tried all the solution I found in internet, but they did not work. What I have to do?
Have I to use a XBee Explorer USB board instead of XBee Explorer Regulated board? Is it a problem of Vcc?
Thanks, Giuseppe.

[kolment2003]

Fixing Bricked Xbee 2.5 while using a usb explorer 1- solder some headers into the usb explorer to be able to attach on a breadboard 2- short out GND and RST with a switch ( just like the one for reset on arduino) 3- when asked to reset the xbee , short out GND and RST with the switch PS: i was never able to properly reset by just shorting the pins with a wire, but with a breadboard n a switch it works like a charm!!!!!!!

[thebadfrank]

Hi, Thanks so much for the input! That is valuable information. I will make some modifications to the Instructable to reflect this. Credit given of course. ;) Thanks for reading, and again thanks for the input.

[wmoore6924]

I had a bricked XBee module. I "bricked" it the first day that I received it!! The same day that I started working with XBee's!!! This tutorial helped me fix my problem!!!! Thank you sooooo much. It's wonderful to have "people in the know" like your self ,that will try to help beginners!!! Thanks again!!!

[YAWN]

I dun have the USB explorer board! can I use the rs232 module to unbrick my xbee??!!??