# Ox Dot firmware and recovery (/docs/context-capture/ox-dot/firmware)



Ox Dot firmware and recovery [#ox-dot-firmware-and-recovery]

Your Ox Dot updates its own firmware over the air. There's nothing to install and no cable to plug in. This page is for the rare case where a device gets stuck on an old version or can't finish an update.

<Callout type="info">
  Most people never need this page. The Ox Dot checks for firmware in the background and updates itself — if your device records normally, it's already current. Use these steps only if SageOx support pointed you here, or your device is clearly stuck.
</Callout>

How updates normally work [#how-updates-normally-work]

While it's powered and online, the Ox Dot checks SageOx for new firmware about once a minute. When an update is ready for your device, it downloads in the background, verifies the signature, and installs on the next restart. The status ring shows activity, and your recordings are never interrupted.

Updates roll out gradually, so two devices on the same team can sit on different versions for a short while. That's expected — yours catches up on its own.

Every build is verified before it's applied, and the Ox Dot keeps the previous version in reserve. If a new build doesn't boot cleanly, the device rolls back to the last working version automatically, so a failed update won't leave it unusable.

When to use this page [#when-to-use-this-page]

Work through the recovery steps below if your Ox Dot:

* Stays on an old firmware version for days while plugged in and online.
* Begins an update but never finishes it.
* Won't come back after a restart, or loops on the startup screen.

Recover a stuck device [#recover-a-stuck-device]

<Callout type="warn">
  Keep the Ox Dot powered and on Wi-Fi for the whole process. Updates need a network connection, and cutting power during a restart interrupts recovery.
</Callout>

1. Confirm power and Wi-Fi [#1-confirm-power-and-wi-fi]

Plug the Ox Dot into USB-C (or flip the side switch on the battery variant) and confirm it's on a working Wi-Fi network — an offline device can't fetch firmware. If the network looks wrong, open **Settings → Wi-Fi**, forget the network, and rejoin.

2. Give it a few minutes online [#2-give-it-a-few-minutes-online]

Once it's powered and connected, leave it alone for a few minutes. The Ox Dot re-checks for firmware on its own and pulls any pending update with no action from you.

3. Restart the device [#3-restart-the-device]

Power-cycle the Ox Dot — unplug it, wait about ten seconds, and plug it back in (or toggle the side switch). A clean restart lets a downloaded update finish installing, and triggers the automatic rollback if the current version didn't boot cleanly.

4. Factory reset and re-pair [#4-factory-reset-and-re-pair]

If it's still stuck, reset it: **Settings → Factory Reset**, confirm through the countdown, then pair the device again at [sageox.ai/device](https://sageox.ai/device). Pairing re-checks firmware from scratch. Full setup steps are in the [Ox Dot guide](/docs/context-capture/ox-dot).

Reinstall over the web (last resort) [#reinstall-over-the-web-last-resort]

If the steps above don't recover the device, you can reinstall the firmware directly from your computer over USB. It runs **entirely in your web browser** — there's nothing to download or install on your computer, and it works the same on Mac and Windows.

This does a **full wipe and clean install**: it erases everything on the device — Wi-Fi networks, pairing, and settings — then writes a fresh copy of the latest firmware. You'll set it up again afterward, like a brand-new device.

<Callout type="warn">
  A reinstall **erases the device completely.** Your team's recordings are safe — they live in SageOx, not on the device — but the Ox Dot's Wi-Fi and pairing are cleared, and you'll pair it again from scratch. Only do this if the recovery steps above didn't work.
</Callout>

**You'll need**

* The Ox Dot and a **USB-C cable that carries data** (some charge-only cables won't work).
* **Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge**, on Mac or Windows. Safari and Firefox can't talk to the device — the installer needs Chrome or Edge.

1. Open the installer [#1-open-the-installer]

In Chrome or Edge, go to **[flash.sageox.ai](https://flash.sageox.ai)**.

2. Connect the Ox Dot [#2-connect-the-ox-dot]

Plug the Ox Dot into your computer with the USB-C cable, and leave it connected for the whole process.

3. Install [#3-install]

Click **Connect**, then choose the Ox Dot from the list of devices your browser shows:

* **On Mac**, it appears as something like *"USB JTAG/serial debug unit"* — no driver or setup needed.
* **On Windows**, it appears as a **COM** port (for example *COM5*). Windows 10 and 11 add the driver automatically; give it a few seconds the first time.

{/* VERIFY(port-name): confirm how the boxed Ox Dot enumerates on Mac/Windows, and whether a BOOT button is user-reachable on the shipping enclosure (affects the fallback below). */}

Click **Install**, then confirm when it asks to **erase and install**. The whole thing takes a minute or two — leave the cable connected until it reports that it's finished.

<Callout type="info">
  **If the installer can't find the device:** unplug the cable, wait a few seconds, plug it back in, and click **Connect** again. Double-check you're using a data USB-C cable, not a charge-only one. If it still won't appear, contact support — don't force it.
</Callout>

4. Set it up again [#4-set-it-up-again]

When the install finishes, the Ox Dot restarts to its **Starting up** screen and walks you through Wi-Fi and pairing just like a new device. Follow the [Ox Dot setup guide](/docs/context-capture/ox-dot) to get it back on your team.

Still stuck? Contact support [#still-stuck-contact-support]

If a reinstall doesn't clear it either, the fix is on our side — we can target a specific firmware version to your device or arrange a replacement. Reach out with your device's name, the firmware version shown on your device list at [sageox.ai/device](https://sageox.ai/device), and a short note on what the device is doing.

What's next [#whats-next]

* [Ox Dot](/docs/context-capture/ox-dot) — full setup, recording, and settings guide.
* [Release notes](/docs/context-capture/ox-dot/release-notes) — what each firmware version changed.
* [Context capture overview](/docs/context-capture) — every way to feed your Team Context.