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Programming CH32v003 with WCH-Link
aleok Posted: 18 Feb 2026, 09:11 PM
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Member
Posts: 9
Joined: 31-July 24
 Good evening,

I recently ordered a couple of CH32v003 boards to play around with, along with a WCH-Link, more specifically this one: https://nl.aliexpress.com/item/1005007517013734.html

Sadly, today I realized that apparently it is not possible to use this programmer to program CH32v003 boards :( Reading more about it, it seems I need the WCH-LinkE: https://www.eevblog.com/forum/microcontrollers/programming-ch32v003-no-wch-linke/

I've already bought the LinkE but it won't arrive until next week. Is there anything I can do to get the one I have to work until then, or is it fundamentally incompatible? I'm using CNLohr's toolchain. Trying to flash with 
sudo ./minichlink -5 -u T
returns the following:


WARNING: You are not in the plugdev/dialout group, the canned udev rules will not work on your system.
Found WCH Link
Unknown WCH Programmer 00 (Ver 2.1)
link error, nothing connected to linker (4 = [81 55 01 01]).  Trying to put processor in hold and retrying.
link error, nothing connected to linker (4 = [81 55 01 01]).  Trying to put processor in hold and retrying.
link error, nothing connected to linker (4 = [81 55 01 01]).  Trying to put processor in hold and retrying.
link error, nothing connected to linker (4 = [81 55 01 01]).  Trying to put processor in hold and retrying.
link error, nothing connected to linker (4 = [81 55 01 01]).  Trying to put processor in hold and retrying.
Unknown chip type.  Report as bug with picture of chip.
marchid : ffffffff
HARTINFO: ffffffff
Could not setup interface.


Thanks in advance!

aleok

Last edit by aleok at 18 Feb 2026, 09:12 PM

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mit Posted: 19 Feb 2026, 10:58 AM
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yeah whatever

Admin
Posts: 658
Joined: 4-May 16
 I don't know the specifics but I suspect it's not worth the trouble trying to get it to work, if you've already ordered the correct one.

But the protocol has been reverse engineered and there are a few unofficial programmers now, I haven't used them, but it's potentially as simple as flashing another microcontroller with the firmware and wiring it up. There is a list of supported boards in the readme for CNLohr's toolchain.


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