Title: Installation Guide
Description: Flash GhostESP with the recommended web flasher
URL: /v2.1/getting-started/installation-guide/
Version: v2.1
Section: Getting Started
Search index: /search-index.json

# Installation Guide

> Flash GhostESP with the recommended web flasher

## On this page

- [What this does](#what-this-does)
- [Before you start](#before-you-start)
- [Flash with the web flasher](#flash-with-the-web-flasher)
- [Expected result](#expected-result)
- [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
- [Related tasks](#related-tasks)

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## What this does
The web flasher installs the GhostESP firmware on a compatible ESP32 board directly from your browser. It is the recommended method for most users.
## Before you start
- A compatible ESP32 board (see [Supported Hardware](/v2.1/getting-started/supported-hardware/))
- A USB cable (Micro USB or USB-C; must be a data cable, not charge-only)
- A modern web browser (Chrome, Brave, or Edge; Firefox doesn’t support WebSerial)
## Flash with the web flasher
- Open [ghostesp.net/flasher](https://ghostesp.net/flasher) in Chrome, Brave, or Edge.
- Close any app that is using the board’s serial port.
- Enter bootloader mode: hold BOOT, connect USB, then release BOOT.
- If that does not work, hold BOOT, tap RESET, wait 1-2 seconds, then release BOOT.
- Select the matching ESP32 variant, click Connect, and follow the browser prompts.
- When flashing finishes, unplug and reconnect the board.
## Expected result
GhostESP boots and creates a Wi-Fi access point named GhostNet with password GhostNet.
## Troubleshooting
- The board is not detected: Confirm the cable supports data, close other serial apps, then enter bootloader mode again.
- The web flasher times out: Reconnect the board and repeat the bootloader steps. Clear the browser cache only if the flasher page itself fails to load correctly.
- GhostNet does not appear after flashing: Verify the selected firmware matches your board and restart the device. Use a [serial console](https://ghostesp.net/serial) at 115200 baud to inspect boot output.
## Related tasks
- [Connect to GhostESP](/v2.1/getting-started/control-methods/)
- [Try your first scan](/v2.1/getting-started/first-scan/)
- [Manual USB flashing](/v2.1/getting-started/manual-flashing/)
- [Flash with Flipper Zero](/v2.1/getting-started/flipper-flashing/)