Bitaxe and NerdQaxe firmware, compared
Firmware is the software inside your miner. It runs the chip, the fan and the dashboard you open in your browser. Here's which firmware runs on which home miner, and how to update without trouble.
1. The short answer
- Bitaxe: run the official AxeOS.
- NerdAxe, NerdQaxe, NerdOCTAXE, NerdQX: run the official NerdQAxe firmware.
- Custom firmware like AxeForge can be fun, but stick to open-source projects and download only from their own GitHub page.
2. Every option side by side
| Firmware | Runs on | Open source | Latest release | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AxeOS (ESP-Miner) | Bitaxe boards 102 to 801, plus 1201 (Naja Duo) and 1300 (Gamma Hex) | Yes (GPL-3.0) | v2.15.4 (Oct 21, 2026) | The official firmware every Bitaxe ships with. Start here. |
| NerdQAxe firmware | NerdAxe, NerdAxe Gamma, NerdQAxe+, NerdQAxe++, NerdOCTAXE, NerdQX, NerdEKO, NerdHaxe Gamma | Yes (GPL-3.0) | v1.1.0.1 (Sep 24, 2026) | The official firmware for the Nerd*axe family. |
| AxeForge | NerdQaxe++ only | Yes (GPL-3.0) | v1.4.2 (Oct 28, 2026) | A new custom firmware with its own screen layouts. Small and young project, so expect changes. |
| NerdMiner v2 | Plain ESP32 dev boards (LILYGO T-Display S3 and others), no mining chip | Yes (MIT) | V1.8.3 (Sep 13, 2025) | A lottery-ticket toy: it mines on the ESP32 itself, so its hashrate is tiny. Fun to learn on, not to earn. |
License, latest release and supported boards are from each project's GitHub page, checked . New versions come out often, so check the releases page before you flash.
3. What each one is
AxeOS (ESP-Miner)
Made by the Bitaxe project (Open Source Miners United). The official firmware every Bitaxe ships with. Start here. Easiest way to install: the web flasher (works in Chrome or Edge over USB).
Miners we track that run it: Bitaxe Gamma, Bitaxe GT 801, Bitaxe Naja Duo, Bitaxe Gamma Hex.
NerdQAxe firmware
Made by shufps, the NerdQAxe designer (a fork of ESP-Miner). The official firmware for the Nerd*axe family. Easiest way to install: the web flasher (works in Chrome or Edge over USB).
Miners we track that run it: Nerdaxe Gamma, NerdQaxe++, NerdOCTaxe Gamma, NerdQX.
AxeForge
Made by IsSasoriDev, a community developer. A new custom firmware with its own screen layouts. Small and young project, so expect changes.
Miners we track that run it: NerdQaxe++.
NerdMiner v2
Made by BitMaker. A lottery-ticket toy: it mines on the ESP32 itself, so its hashrate is tiny. Fun to learn on, not to earn.
4. How to update safely
- Find your board number on the miner or its System page (for example 602 or 801).
- Download only from the official releases page of the firmware's GitHub project, or use its web flasher.
- Write down your Wi-Fi, pool and Bitcoin address in case a full flash resets them.
- Update from the miner's dashboard when you can (upload the firmware file, then the web file if the project ships one).
- After it restarts, check the pool settings and that your hashrate looks right: see Is my Bitaxe normal?
Questions
Which firmware should I run on my Bitaxe?
The official AxeOS from the Bitaxe project's releases page. Pick the file that matches the board number printed on your Bitaxe (for example 601 or 602 for a Gamma).
Which firmware runs on a NerdQaxe++?
The NerdQAxe firmware from shufps is the official one. AxeForge is a newer community alternative for the NerdQaxe++ only.
Can I put AxeOS on a NerdQaxe?
No. Use the firmware made for your board. Flashing a file built for a different board can stop it mining until you flash the right one.
How do I know my firmware has no hidden fee?
Install it yourself from the project's official GitHub releases page, then set your own pool and Bitcoin address. Some resold miners come with modified firmware that sends part of the hashrate elsewhere.
Will updating erase my settings?
A normal update from the miner's own dashboard keeps your Wi-Fi and pool settings. A full 'factory' flash over USB can reset them, so write them down first.
Keep reading
- First-hour setup checklist
- Is my Bitaxe normal?
- Which mining pool should I use?
- Bitaxe chips compared
- Where to buy a Bitaxe
General guidance only. Flashing firmware is at your own risk; follow each project's instructions. We're not paid by any firmware project.