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Explorer II
November 24, 2025
Solved

Using the Nucleo-F411 Board as an ST-LINK Programmer

  • November 24, 2025
  • 4 replies
  • 192 views

Hello! I am a student studying STM32.

First of all, thank you very much for your help.

 

First of all, my main concern is that I would like to update the firmware on a board that has the G491RE mounted on it.

However, we do not have an external ST-LINK, and only have a Nucleo-F411 board.

 

Is there any way to use the Nucleo-F411 as an ST-LINK? Or is it possible to obtain the ST-LINK firmware?

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Best answer by Andrew Neil

    Although it is possible to use the the ST-Link part of many Nucleo (and some Discovery) boards - as documented in the User Manual - this does have a number of pitfalls; eg, see here.

    As I've said here (among others), it can be more trouble than it's worth.

    For serious use, I would strongly suggest that you do get a standalone ST-Link - they are not expensive, and are a lot more versatile.

    Just be sure to get a genuine one - see here.

     

    4 replies

    Graduate
    November 24, 2025

    Most of Nucleo64 boards (the ones with "detachable" top part, including Nucleo-F411) may be used for programming off-board MCUs. Read the Nucleo board's manual; you need to remove two jumpers from "ST-LINK" header and connect at least GND, SWDIO and SWCLK available on the built-in ST-Link "SWD" header to the target MCU (NRST connection may also be useful).

    Technical Moderator
    November 24, 2025

    Hello @ParkPork and welcome to the ST community,

    Yes it's possible to use that onboard ST-LINK to connect to an external MCU. You can refer to the user manual of the board: UM1724 STM32 Nucleo-64 boards (MB1136)

    Section 7.4 Embedded ST-LINK/V2-1:

    mALLEm_0-1763973728906.png

     

    Super User
    November 24, 2025

    Although it is possible to use the the ST-Link part of many Nucleo (and some Discovery) boards - as documented in the User Manual - this does have a number of pitfalls; eg, see here.

    As I've said here (among others), it can be more trouble than it's worth.

    For serious use, I would strongly suggest that you do get a standalone ST-Link - they are not expensive, and are a lot more versatile.

    Just be sure to get a genuine one - see here.

     

    ParkPorkAuthor
    Explorer II
    November 27, 2025

    I am deeply grateful for everyone's help.
    I will first look into this matter and will provide further updates if necessary.
    Thank you.