Seeking Advice on Best Firmware for Whatsminer Models

[Allex Ferreira]

Hello Bitcointalk Community,

I'm reaching out to gather insights on the most reliable and efficient firmware options for Whatsminer mining machines. My primary goal is to optimize performance and stability.

Could anyone share their experiences or recommendations regarding:

Firmware Versions: Which firmware versions have you found most effective for models like M3x, M5x, or the M30 series?

Performance Improvements: Have you noticed significant improvements in hash rate, efficiency, or stability with certain firmware?

Sources: Are there any specific sources or websites you trust for downloading firmware updates?

Overclocking: For those who have tried overclocking with custom firmware, what has been your experience in terms of benefits and risks?

Troubleshooting: Any common issues or tips for a smooth firmware update process?

I appreciate any guidance or personal experiences you can share. This information will be extremely helpful  to maximize the potential of our Whatsminer rigs.

Thank you in advance!

[BitMaxz]

To optimize firmware for these units always use the latest firmware from whatsminer and I don't think there is a modded firmware for these units.
About the performance you can use miner tools to change the performance mode from low to high, it would improve the hashrate if you set it high but it requires 230v and power efficiency for low performance.

Please check the link below on how to use the miner tools.
- https://www.zeusbtc.com/articles/asic-miner-troubleshooting/2154-whatsminer-tool-remote-ctrl-button-function-and-purpose

About the source where to download firmware for Whatsminer download it directly on the Whatsminer link below
- https://www.whatsminer.com/src/views/firmware-download.html

[mikeywith]

Firmware Versions: Which firmware versions have you found most effective for models like M3x, M5x, or the M30 series?

Stock firmware works great, it's free and probably does everything else you expect to find in custom firmware.

Overclocking: For those who have tried overclocking with custom firmware, what has been your experience in terms of benefits and risks?

You could perform overclocking using the stock firmware.

Unlike Bitmain's stock firmware, Whatminer's firmware is features-rich, you can do plenty of things with it, besides your normal low, normal, and high modes, and you could actually set a certain power limit for the miner to use, this feature is available on M30 and higher (M20 and below only has the average 3 mining modes).

Even if you want to go with immersion cooling, you could use the dedicated firmware for that reason, which they will provide for free.

[Allex Ferreira]

Firmware Versions: Which firmware versions have you found most effective for models like M3x, M5x, or the M30 series?

Stock firmware works great, it's free and probably does everything else you expect to find in custom firmware.

Overclocking: For those who have tried overclocking with custom firmware, what has been your experience in terms of benefits and risks?

You could perform overclocking using the stock firmware.

Unlike Bitmain's stock firmware, Whatminer's firmware is features-rich, you can do plenty of things with it, besides your normal low, normal, and high modes, and you could actually set a certain power limit for the miner to use, this feature is available on M30 and higher (M20 and below only has the average 3 mining modes).

Even if you want to go with immersion cooling, you could use the dedicated firmware for that reason, which they will provide for free.

which stock firmware?

[mikeywith]

which stock firmware?

The one that comes with your miner by default.

[BitMaxz]

which stock firmware?

Be very careful of looking for custom or modded firmware I heard some miners who flash modded firmware to Whatsminer units and now its bricked and can't able to revive.

That is why stock firmware is recommend you can find it from the link that I provided above but make sure to check the current version of your unit before flashing to the latest version.

[Donnybrasko]

Hello there
I’ve tried flashing my whatsminer m30 using official firmware but once I power on the miner with the sd card in no lights appear even though the fans are running. Is this a common problem? How can I solve this it’s happening with two of my m30s+ whatsminers.

[mikeywith]

Hello there
I’ve tried flashing my whatsminer m30 using official firmware but once I power on the miner with the sd card in no lights appear even though the fans are running. Is this a common problem? How can I solve this it’s happening with two of my m30s+ whatsminers.

Why are doing the sdcard flashing in the first place? use the latest Whatsminer Tool version 9.x , download the latest firmware version which is 2024xxx, and add your miner IP or IP range, the miner will show in the tool GUI, select it and then hit the "upgrade" button, select the firmware while which you have downloaded, then hit "start upgrade", it would take a few minutes, the miner status will display "transferrin" then "upgrading" after 3-5 minutes, the miner will be loaded with the new firmware, it may reboot a few times in the process, do not cut the power.

[Donnybrasko]

Hi there, I’ve done the upgrade using the tool before hand which led me to try and flash using sd card to remedy these errors. Any other suggestions?

[BitMaxz]

Hi there, I’ve done the upgrade using the tool before hand which led me to try and flash using sd card to remedy these errors. Any other suggestions?

Is the firmware you downloaded come from Whatsminer?
Try other sources try to download the firmware from ZeusBTC check the link below

- https://www.zeusbtc.com/firmware-download/details/4709-whatsminer-sd-card-flashing-program-download

Also, take note if you bought this unit long ago maybe the unit can't read the SD card properly check the terminal and clean it before you plug the SD card and try to flash it again.

[Donnybrasko]

Thanks, and yes from whatsminer. How do I access the terminal? I will try and do that I only just set the machines up 2 weeks ago.

[BitMaxz]

Thanks, and yes from whatsminer. How do I access the terminal? I will try and do that I only just set the machines up 2 weeks ago.

You can only find the terminals when you disassemble the unit the SD card slot can be found under the control board check the image below


Focus on that part resolder it or clean it with isopropyl alcohol also check the slot for any possible dirt inside clean it and then try to plug and replug the SD card multiple times to help remove a bit of rust from the terminal inside the SD slot then reflash it again.