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

ParkPork · ‎2025-11-23

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?

Andrew Neil · ‎2025-11-24

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.

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.

View solution in original post

gbm · ‎2025-11-23

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).

My STM32 stuff on github - compact USB device stack and more: https://github.com/gbm-ii/gbmUSBdevice

mƎALLEm · ‎2025-11-24

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:

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Andrew Neil · ‎2025-11-24

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.

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.

ParkPork · ‎2025-11-27

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