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Visitor II
December 31, 2025
Question

STM32F103C8T6 Bluepill Issue with CubeIDE

  • December 31, 2025
  • 3 replies
  • 198 views

Hi Team,

I was working on STM32F103C8T6 Bluepill board. I was using this board with ST-LinkV2 to connect with CubeIDE. When i tried to flash a sample LED blink program via CubeIDE, it gave an error saying 'Target not found'. But at the same time i was able to connect this board via cube programmer using same ST-Link and write sample LED code into the board. 
I have also tried to put the board into DFU mode by changing BOOT0 to 1 and connected with a usb cable to my linux machine. when i tried 'lsusb' it didnt show DFU mode status of the board. Please help me to resolve this issue.

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    3 replies

    Super User
    December 31, 2025

    welcome to the forum.

    Please see How to write your question to maximize your chances to find a solution for best results.

     

    Note that "Blue Pill" is not an ST product, and likely contains a fake STM32.

    Also, are you using a genuine ST-Link, or a clone/fake?

    How to recognize a genuine ST-LINK/V2 versus a cloned one. TL;DR: if it looks like a USB memory stick, it's a clone.

     


    @kiranraj_k_r wrote:

    When i tried to flash a sample LED blink program via CubeIDE, it gave an error saying 'Target not found'.


    Please show the full error message, and log.

    It is common that CubeIDE will refuse to work with clone chips & ST-Links; CubeProgrammer may be more forgiving.

     

    What versions of IDE & Programmer are you using, and on what Host?

     

    PS:

    ST's NUCLEO-F103RB gives you:

    • A genuine STM32
    • A genuine ST-Link
    • Actual support
    • Ready-to-go examples
    • etc, etc, ...

    I would certainly recommend this as a better option for a beginner and, by the time you've bought a Blue Pill plus separate ST-Link, it may not even be any (or much) more expensive!

    Visitor II
    December 31, 2025

    I am using genuine ST-Link(photo attached).

    Error message from CubeIDE and photo of Bluepill board attached.

    I am using CubeIDE Version: 2.0.0 and CubeMX Version 6.16.1 on Linux 22.04.
    product I am using : https://robu.in/product/stm32f103c8t6-minimum-system-board-microcomputer-stm32-arm-core-board/Image.jpegImage (1).jpegImage (2).jpegImage (3).jpegissue facing while trying to debug - GDB issueissue facing while trying to debug - GDB issue

    kiranraj_k_r_0-1767177061933.png

    I am also facing a GBD error while trying to debug

     

     

    Super User
    December 31, 2025

    @kiranraj_k_r wrote:

    I am using genuine ST-Link(photo attached).


    Your photo does not match the How to recognize a genuine ST-LINK/V2 versus a cloned one article:

    AndrewNeil_0-1767178362187.png

     


    @kiranraj_k_r wrote:
    AndrewNeil_1-1767178496920.png

    I think that is to be expected with a fake STM32 and/or clone ST-Link.

    Again, I would strongly recommend that you at least start with a genuine ST board,  so that you can gain familiarity with the product & tools using known-good hardware - without having to worry about all the extra unknowns with fakes/clones.

    The forum is littered with people struggling due to the issues of fakes/clones - save yourself the grief!

     

    Super User
    December 31, 2025

    Hi,

    In addition to what @Andrew Neil  wrote :

    1. was the board + st-link working before, or is this first test ?

    2. IDE checking for "fake" target, thats almost just other manufacturer of F103-similar chip, CubeProgrammer more "forgiving"  , also works with F103-similar chip.

    3. show good pic of F103 on bluepill board, if possible .

    4. show link, where /what you buyed as bluepill + st-link .

    Visitor II
    December 31, 2025

    I have replied in @Andrew Neil comment with details you have requested for.

    Super User
    December 31, 2025

    @kiranraj_k_r wrote:

    I have replied in @Andrew Neil comment with details you have requested for.


    Everyone can see all replies - no need for a separate reply.

     

    You didn't answer @AScha.3's question: "1. was the board + st-link working before, or is this first test ?"

    Also, "3. show good pic of F103 on bluepill board" means a good closeup of the MCU chip so that we can see exactly what's written on it.

     

    This diagnostic may also help to see what MCU is actually on your board:

    https://mecrisp-stellaris-folkdoc.sourceforge.io/bluepill-diagnostics-v1.6.html#diags-1-6

    Explorer
    December 31, 2025

    Why do I feel your ST-Link connections are wrong?!
    Could you please verify that once.

    Super User
    December 31, 2025

    @MGogr.1 wrote:

     I feel your ST-Link connections are wrong


    @kiranraj_k_r - Yet another advantage of a Nucleo board: the ST-Link (and VCP) is already connected - so no chance of getting that wrong!