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Associate
November 23, 2025
Question

Clone ST-LINK V2 doesn't connect to STM32CubeProgrammer, where do I find a genuine one?

  • November 23, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 511 views

I'm trying to follow this guide

https://github.com/jagheterfredrik/meb-preheat

 

I've never used STM32CubeProgrammer or a ST-Link V2 so I don't know what it should look like. I've bought the one at this link https://www.aliexpress.com/item/33010611392.html

 

When I open  STM32CubeProgrammer  and click "connect" nothing happens, apart from the message in the log window

The serial number is shown as "E"

jacoscar_0-1763926160109.png

 

Do I need to do something to make this device work? Or where can I buy one that works out of the box?

5 replies

TDK
Super User
November 23, 2025

Genuine parts can be found from reputable suppliers like Digikey and Mouser.

ST-LINK/V2 STMicroelectronics | Development Boards, Kits, Programmers | DigiKey

 

From st.com site:

 

Digikey Electronics:www.digikey.com
Farnell / Newark / element14, an Avnet company:www.farnell.com
Mouser Electronics: www.mouser.com

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jacoscarAuthor
Associate
November 23, 2025

So all the ones that look like a USB drive are not original? I though the original ones also looked like that and that it was difficult to tell them apart

 

TDK
Super User
November 23, 2025

The ones you get from official reputable suppliers are genuine. Other ones are likely not, especially if they are considerably cheaper.

There is no official product that looks like this, so they are all knock-offs:

TDK_0-1763931641056.png

 

The ST programmers are not particularly expensive compared to the chips. See STLINK/V3MINIE.

STLINK-V3MINIE STMicroelectronics | Development Boards, Kits, Programmers | DigiKey

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Peter BENSCH
Technical Moderator
November 23, 2025

Take a look at the knowledge base article How to recognize a genuine ST-LINK/V2 versus a cloned one, which deals with this topic.

Regards
/Peter

AScha.3
Super User
November 23, 2025

Next time, if you buy a cheap "clone st-link V2" , look at the user comments first, here at your device:

"probably Geehy APM32 S103CBT6 " .

So this will not work as st-link , because no STM chip inside.

So buy something genuine, like a NUCLEO board from mouser , or check the comments....all !  , before you buy something  from somewhere unknown.

Example:

https://www.mouser.de/ProductDetail/STMicroelectronics/NUCLEO-F303RE?qs=ClYTdQWm4hA0O%2FMhBC5%2FXg%3D%3D

its a nucleo board , with F303 , you can do really something....and it will work. And its legal.

Or buy some st-link stick, unknown origin....cheaper ? Right, but maybe a joke...not working.

So: if you wanna play a game, to get the cheapest copy, try many offers on Ali or Temu, Wish ...

(i did , some years ago, so i know.)

or you want learn, work, progress : buy a legal product.

Your decision.

 

btw

i just looked at Ali..this seems (!) ok :

https://de.aliexpress.com/item/1005006160511992.html

in comments : " original stm32f103c8t6 "

AScha3_0-1763935742318.png

BUT: the dealer might not know, what he is selling, it might change, so its just like a game.

 

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jacoscarAuthor
Associate
November 23, 2025

Does this look legit?

https://ebay.us/m/hPqltJ

 

I would buy new, but from Farnell UK it’s £30 with shipping

AScha.3
Super User
November 23, 2025

>Used: An item that has been previously used.

Come on - buy used parts ?

Where are you ? 

Should be no problem, to find a dealer of a genuine, new product.

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Pavel A.
Super User
November 24, 2025

I've never used STM32CubeProgrammer or a ST-Link V2 so I don't know

So are you sure that you need ST-Link V2? What is the target board or device? Perhaps do yourself a favor and get a new ST-Link V3 MINIE

 

jacoscarAuthor
Associate
November 24, 2025
Andrew Neil
Super User
November 24, 2025

@jacoscar wrote:

 

where do I find a genuine one?

The list of Authorised Distributors is here:

https://www.st.com/content/st_com/en/contact-us.html

 

You can also buy direct from the ST eStore; eg:

https://estore.st.com/en/st-link-v2-cpn.html

https://estore.st.com/en/st-link-v2-cpn.html 

 

A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.