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Associate
March 8, 2026
Solved

"No ST-LINK detected" Linux (cachyOS) for new installation

  • March 8, 2026
  • 4 replies
  • 396 views

Hey all, just installed STM32CubeIDE on cachyOS and connected my HiLetGo STM32F103C8T6 dev board (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07VKSVM21), and the IDE is giving me the following error when I try to debug or deploy:

Screenshot_20260308_173147.png

I tried installing ST-LINK-SERVER separately just to be safe, and it said that it was already installed. (I assume as part of the Cube IDE installation.) Also reinstalled libusb (Version 1.0.29-1.1).

I can see STM32x_USB under Removable Devices in the system browser when plugged in, so I know the board is connecting at least. Any ideas here?

Best answer by Peter BENSCH

Welcome @mrjordan, to the community from my side as well!

The product you are using is a so-called Blue Pill since years only containing clones of a genuine ST product. As @TDK already said, the seemingly small price advantage quickly evaporates, because, as @Pavel A. mentioned, you also need an ST-LINK. If one or both contain illegal clones, as the colourful tin cans do as well, you end up frustrated forever with tools that don't work as expected – completely overlooking the fact that these are not original ST products, but counterfeits.

To get the support you need, please contact the third party you purchased this product from.

For assurance of buying authentic ST products, we recommend purchasing exclusively through our official distributors, which you can find listed here: ST Official Distributors.

Regards
/Peter

4 replies

Pavel A.
Super User
March 9, 2026

So do you have a ST-Link?

mrjordanAuthor
Associate
March 9, 2026
You know what? Nope. Didn't realize until just now it was a separate
physical thing I needed to acquire.

Thanks! :grinning_face_with_sweat:
TDK
Super User
March 9, 2026

If you buy a knock off programmer that likely won’t work well either. The boards you bought almost certainly contain counterfeit chips. They can work, but you are rolling the dice. Consider if the discount is worth your time.

It’s generally better to stick with genuine parts. A NUCLEO-F103RB board is cheap and has a built-in ST-Link programmer.

"If you feel a post has answered your question, please click ""Accept as Solution""."
Peter BENSCH
Peter BENSCHBest answer
Technical Moderator
March 9, 2026

Welcome @mrjordan, to the community from my side as well!

The product you are using is a so-called Blue Pill since years only containing clones of a genuine ST product. As @TDK already said, the seemingly small price advantage quickly evaporates, because, as @Pavel A. mentioned, you also need an ST-LINK. If one or both contain illegal clones, as the colourful tin cans do as well, you end up frustrated forever with tools that don't work as expected – completely overlooking the fact that these are not original ST products, but counterfeits.

To get the support you need, please contact the third party you purchased this product from.

For assurance of buying authentic ST products, we recommend purchasing exclusively through our official distributors, which you can find listed here: ST Official Distributors.

Regards
/Peter

mrjordanAuthor
Associate
March 9, 2026

Thanks, all!!

And noted, I had in fact ordered one of said colorful tin cans off Amazon yesterday after hearing that there was no ST-LINK on this board. Just cancelled that and ordered and official device directly from ST-LINK, I had no idea there was a difference so I appreciate your assistance here.

 

You've all been so much more helpful than other communities I've been part of in the embedded space. Greatly appreciate it.

Ozone
Principal
March 9, 2026

And adding to what other posters already mentioned ...

All Linux distros I know support the ST-Link out of the box, you don't need to install any drivers.
Cachy OS is most probably no exception.
Just connect a ST-Link, and type "lsusb" in a command line.

You will need to add you user to certain groups to be able to use it, though. Normally toolchain installers do this for you, but I'm not sure about Cube, and your distro. Group names differ somewhat between Linux flavours.
Worst case you might need to do it manually.

Visitor II
April 13, 2026

@Ozone wrote:

And adding to what other posters already mentioned ...

You will need to add you user to certain groups to be able to use it, though. Normally toolchain installers do this for you, but I'm not sure about Cube, and your distro. Group names differ somewhat between Linux flavours.


Which groups tho?

Ozone
Principal
April 14, 2026

Usually dialout and/or plugdev.

Try 'groups <your_user>'.

 

AScha.3
Super User
March 9, 2026

Hi,

Aside from the question of whether your board might have a STM chip or not, do you have a st-link at all ?

Because you wrote: > and connected my HiLetGo STM32F103C8T6 dev board < , which is just the target board, without st-link on board . Without st-link no debug connection possible . (or other, like j-link, cmsis-DAP , etc.)

"If you feel a post has answered your question, please click ""Accept as Solution""."