Guys, this is important. Please take ten minutes to read this guide before updating Aura AQ to v1.2.0. The release changes both the firmware and part of the hardware setup, especially on Aura 7".
The last public feature release was v1.1.5, followed by the v1.1.5-r2 OTA hotfix. There has not been a feature release for some time, but I have continued working on the firmware, testing different configurations and investigating the problems you reported.
Some owners of Aura 7" have experienced black screens, touch failures or unexpected reboots. I tested different firmware versions, sensor combinations and wiring configurations. I could not trace the issue to one faulty component or prove a single electrical cause.
The results point to an incompatibility between the existing I²C path on the 7" board and Aura's external sensors. I found a solution, and several beta testers have reported stable, encouraging results.
The main changes since v1.1.5
Aura 4.3" and Aura 7" now use separate firmware builds. You must select the build that matches your display size.
Starting with v1.2.0, use the lower USB-C port on both boards for firmware flashing and serial logs.
Aura 7" uses a new internal sensor connection. Project Aura AQ Sensor Hub PCB v1.1 builds need the three-pin cable supplied with the Waveshare display and three updated internal enclosure parts. Adafruit builds need one updated printed part: the internal divider that supports the Adafruit module bracket. For that path, you also need the Grove-to-STEMMA QT cable already installed in Aura and the three-pin Sensors AD cable supplied with the Waveshare display. You will move one contact from the four-pin I²C housing into the three-pin Sensors AD housing. No soldering is required.
The 7" build includes fixes for display startup, touch operation and unexpected reboots.
I also improved firmware updates and recovery after crashes. Aura now includes measurement history on an SD card, CSV export and interface improvements.
The sections below cover the two models separately. I will show how to update Aura 4.3" and explain what changed, then walk through the correct firmware and wiring for both supported Aura 7" hardware configurations.
Aura 4.3": no wiring changes
Good news for Aura 4.3" owners: you do not need to change the wiring on this board. This section applies to the 16 MB Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-4.3 (800 × 480) listed in the Aura AQ BOM.
Starting with v1.2.0, Aura 4.3" has its own firmware build in the web installer. Select the Aura 4.3" build before starting the update.
For the first move to v1.2.0, you can use OTA if the update is offered by your current firmware.
If the OTA attempt ends with "Upload failed (HTTP 404)", use the wired method below. This is the known symptom of the missing OTA upload route in some v1.1.5 builds. Other v1.1.5 builds already include the fix, so the version shown on the screen cannot tell them apart.
In that case, disconnect the normal power adapter from the lower USB-C port, connect only the upper USB-UART port to your computer and run Web Installer Update once. Use the same USB-UART method if OTA is unavailable or does not work on your network.
Once v1.2.0 is installed, the lower USB-C port you already use to power Aura also becomes the primary port for future wired firmware installation and serial logs. If OTA is unavailable, unplug the power adapter and connect this port to your computer with a data-capable USB cable.
The lower USB-C port is accessible through every Aura 4.3" enclosure, so future wired recovery no longer requires opening the device.
Aura 7": separate firmware and new sensor wiring
This guide applies only to the 16 MB Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-7.0 (800 × 480) listed in the Aura AQ BOM. This article covers both Project Aura AQ Sensor Hub PCB v1.1 and Adafruit module builds. Do not use it for Aura 4.3", ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-7B or another Waveshare variant.
On this board, v1.2.0 moves the external sensors to a separate I²C bus through the UART2 and Sensors AD connectors. The firmware build and the physical wiring must match.
This guide applies to Aura AQ 7" firmware v1.2.0 and later.
Choose the hardware inside your Aura
The wiring steps are different. Select the configuration you use, then follow that path from beginning to end. Do not combine wiring steps from the two configurations.
Showing instructions forProject Aura AQ Sensor Hub PCB v1.1
Aura 7" with Project Aura AQ Sensor Hub PCB v1.1
Use this guide if the sensors in your Aura 7" connect through the Project Aura AQ Sensor Hub PCB v1.1. Print the updated internal parts for your configuration. Reuse the existing Sensor Hub PCB, sensors and sensor modules.
You will need the separate three-pin Sensors AD cable supplied with the Waveshare display. No soldering is required. The steps below show how to replace the printed parts and connect both cables.
Prepare the updated printed parts
Before opening Aura, open the Aura AQ Builder Kit page on MakerWorld. Under Print Files, select See More, then choose the print profile named Aura AQ 7" v1.2.0+ update. Print every part listed for your configuration, including the parts required for CO or DAC modules if you use them.
Prepare the Sensors AD cable
Find the three-pin cable supplied with the 7" Waveshare board for the Sensors AD connector. It looks similar to the existing I²C cable, but it has three pins instead of four.
If you no longer have it, search for HY2.0 3P to Dupont male 3P, 10 cm. AliExpress may show several cable options on the same page. Select the variant labelled HY2.0 - To DuPont Male - 10CM - 3P. Suitable examples are available here and here.
You will also need heat-shrink tubing. Do not use electrical tape on the loose contacts. Its adhesive and vapours may affect readings from air-quality sensors. Insulate every unused contact with its own piece of heat-shrink tubing.
Step 1. Disconnect all power
Disconnect Aura completely from every power source.
Step 2. Disassemble the Aura enclosure
Remove the Waveshare board together with its frame and disconnect it completely from the rest of Aura.
Then remove:
the Aura PCB;
the CO sensor, if installed;
the DAC module, if installed;
the divider that supports the Aura PCB bracket.
Keep the Waveshare board in its frame, but leave it disconnected from the Aura PCB, the power supply and the computer.
Step 3. Install the dedicated Aura 7" firmware through USB-UART
Do not use OTA when moving Aura 7" from firmware earlier than v1.2.0 to v1.2.0 or any later release. Open the enclosure, disconnect the old sensor wiring as described above and install the dedicated 7" build through the previous USB-UART port, marked 6 in the board diagram below.
Make sure the Aura PCB and the old I²C cable are disconnected from the Waveshare board.
Do not connect the normal power supply.
Confirm that the UART1 / UART2 switch, marked 15 in the board diagram below, is set to UART1.
Connect only the USB cable needed for flashing to the previous USB-UART port, marked 6.
Open the Aura AQ web installer and select the build made specifically for Aura AQ 7".
Choose Update for a normal firmware update. Use Full Install only when you intentionally want a clean installation. Full Install erases the entire flash, including Wi-Fi credentials, saved settings and LittleFS data.
Disconnect the USB cable after the installer reports success.
Open the Aura AQ web installer. Do not continue with the hardware changes if the firmware installation reports an error.
Step 4. Move the UART switch to UART2
With the Waveshare board fully unpowered, move the UART1 / UART2 switch to UART2. Leave it in this position after the update. In the board diagram below, this switch is marked 15.
Step 5. Install the sensors and modules
Fit the components to the updated printed parts. If you use a CO sensor, install it and connect its supplied cable. If you use a DAC module, install it and connect its supplied cable.
Screw the Aura PCB to the new bracket.
Connect the cables from every installed sensor and module to the Aura PCB.
Step 6. Prepare the old I²C cable
Take the four-pin I²C cable used by the previous wiring. Use the pin labels on the Waveshare connector as the source of truth. The colours below describe the original Waveshare cable.
3V3 connects to 3.3V on the Aura PCB (red);
GND connects to GND (black);
RXD connects to SDA (yellow);
TXD is not used (white).
Leave the white wire disconnected and cover its exposed contact with its own piece of heat-shrink tubing. If your cable colours differ, follow the pin labels rather than the colours.
Step 7. Prepare the Sensors AD cable
Take the new three-pin Sensors AD cable. On the cable supplied by Waveshare:
the black GND wire is not used;
the red 3.3V wire is not used;
the yellow AD wire is used for SCL.
Insulate the exposed black and red contacts separately with heat-shrink tubing. Leave only the yellow contact available.
Step 8. Connect both cables to the Aura PCB
Connect the prepared four-pin I²C cable to the Aura PCB:
3V3 to 3.3V (red);
GND to GND (black);
RXD to SDA (yellow);
leave TXD disconnected and insulated (white).
Now connect the prepared three-pin Sensors AD cable:
connect only its yellow wire to SCL on the Aura PCB;
leave its red and black wires disconnected and insulated separately.
Do not connect the old white wire to the new yellow wire.
The Aura PCB now receives GND, 3.3V and SDA through the old four-pin cable. It receives SCL through the yellow wire of the new three-pin Sensors AD cable.
Step 9. Check the I²C pull-up switches
If the SEN66 is the only external I²C device and no DAC or DFRobot I²C module is connected, set the Aura PCB pull-up switches to ON.
If any DFRobot I²C module is connected, including the DAC, leave the Aura PCB pull-up switches OFF.
The SEN66 does not include its own I²C pull-up resistors. The supported DFRobot I²C modules, including the DAC, already include them. Set the switches before applying power.
Step 10. Install the Aura PCB assembly
Install the updated internal divider that supports the Aura PCB bracket. Attach the updated bracket, with the Aura PCB already mounted, to this divider.
Check that every sensor is connected, no cable is under tension and the insulated contacts cannot touch the PCB, a screw or another conductive surface.
Fit and screw down the upper section of the enclosure. Do not install the Waveshare frame yet. First connect it and test the device.
Step 11. Connect the Waveshare board
Connect the new three-pin cable to the Sensors AD connector, marked 8 in the diagram.
Connect the four-pin cable previously used for I²C to the UART2 connector, marked 7 in the diagram.
Insert the USB cable into the lower USB port, marked number 5 in the diagram. Leave the other end disconnected until Step 13.
Do not reconnect the four-pin cable to the old I²C connector. Compare both connectors and the cable orientation with the photographs before applying power.
Step 12. Check the wiring before power-on
the dedicated Aura AQ 7" firmware is installed;
the UART switch is set to UART2;
the old four-pin cable is connected to UART2 on Waveshare;
the new three-pin cable is connected to Sensors AD on Waveshare;
GND from the old cable is connected to GND on the Aura PCB (black);
3V3 from the old cable is connected to 3.3V (red);
RXD from the old cable is connected to SDA (yellow);
yellow from the new cable is connected to SCL;
the old TXD contact is disconnected and insulated (white);
the new red and black contacts are disconnected and insulated separately;
the pull-up switches match the installed sensors;
no exposed contact can touch the PCB, screws or enclosure.
If any connection is unclear, do not apply power.
Step 13. Power on and test
Keep the previous USB-UART port, marked 6, disconnected. Connect the USB cable in the lower USB port, marked 5, to a suitable 5 V power source. Then check that:
the display starts;
touch input works;
Aura detects every connected sensor;
sensor readings update;
the web dashboard opens;
Aura does not restart unexpectedly.
If you used Full Install, reconnect Aura to your Wi-Fi network before checking the web dashboard.
Starting with v1.2.0, the lower USB port, marked number 5 in the diagram, is used for power, wired firmware installation and serial logs. Do not use the previous USB-UART port for future flashing or logs.
If the display or touch stops working while the web dashboard remains available, do not restart or unplug Aura yet. Open http://<your-aura-ip>/diag and download the diagnostic JSON file first.
Do not touch the wiring or move the UART switch while Aura is powered.
Step 14. Complete the assembly
If the display, touch input and every connected sensor work:
Disconnect Aura from its power source.
Disconnect the USB cable from the power supply or computer. Leave the cable inserted in the lower USB port on the Waveshare board.
Install the Waveshare board and its frame in the enclosure.
Screw the frame to the enclosure.
Check that no cable is trapped or under tension.
Reconnect power and repeat the display, touch and sensor checks.
The Aura 7" hardware migration is now complete.
Aura 7" with Adafruit modules
Use this guide if the sensors in your Aura 7" connect through Adafruit STEMMA QT modules. Print only the updated internal divider. Reuse the existing two-piece Adafruit module bracket and all other printed parts already installed in the device.
You will need the Grove-to-STEMMA QT cable already installed in Aura and the three-pin Sensors AD cable supplied with the Waveshare display. No soldering is required. The cable modification is shown step by step below.
Prepare the updated internal divider
Open the Aura AQ Builder Kit page on MakerWorld. Under Print Files, select See More, then choose the print profile named Aura AQ 7" v1.2.0+ update. For the Adafruit configuration, print only the updated internal divider. Reuse your existing Adafruit module bracket and other printed parts.
Prepare the Sensors AD cable
Find the three-pin cable supplied with the 7" Waveshare board for the Sensors AD connector. It looks similar to the existing I²C cable, but it has three pins instead of four.
If you no longer have it, search for HY2.0 3P to Dupont male 3P, 10 cm. AliExpress may show several cable options on the same page. Select the variant labelled HY2.0 - To DuPont Male - 10CM - 3P. Suitable examples are available here and here.
You will also need heat-shrink tubing. Do not use electrical tape on loose contacts. Its adhesive and vapours may affect readings from air-quality sensors. Use heat-shrink tubing to insulate the loose 3.3V and GND DuPont contacts separately.
Step 1. Disconnect all power
Disconnect the power supply and every USB cable from their power source. Make sure the screen is off before opening the enclosure.
Step 2. Open Aura and disassemble the Adafruit module bracket
Remove the Waveshare board together with its frame so you can reach the connectors on the back. Disconnect the existing Grove-to-STEMMA QT cable from the Waveshare board. Keep the separate three-pin Sensors AD cable beside it, but do not connect that cable yet.
Leave the Waveshare board disconnected from the sensors, power supply and computer.
Unscrew the Adafruit module bracket from the old internal divider, then remove the divider from the enclosure. Remove the bracket assembly and separate its two printed halves so you can reach the connectors on the Adafruit modules. Keep both bracket halves, the modules and every other printed part. Do not pull on the modules or their cables.
Step 3. Install the dedicated Aura 7" firmware through USB-UART
Do not use OTA when moving Aura 7" from firmware earlier than v1.2.0 to v1.2.0 or any later release. Install the dedicated 7" build through the previous USB-UART port, marked 6 in the board diagram below.
Make sure the Grove-to-STEMMA QT cable, the three-pin Sensors AD cable and all Adafruit modules are disconnected from the Waveshare board.
Do not connect the normal power supply.
Confirm that the UART1 / UART2 switch, marked 15 in the board diagram below, is set to UART1.
Connect only the USB cable needed for flashing to the previous USB-UART port, marked 6.
Open the Aura AQ web installer and select the build made for Aura AQ 7".
Choose Update for a normal firmware update. Use Full Install only when you intentionally want a clean installation. Full Install erases Wi-Fi credentials, saved settings and LittleFS data.
Disconnect the USB cable after the installer reports success.
Open the Aura AQ web installer. Stop if the firmware installation reports an error.
Step 4. Move the UART switch to UART2
With every power source disconnected from the Waveshare board, move the UART1 / UART2 switch to UART2. Leave it in this position after the update. The board diagram marks this switch as 15.
Step 5. Identify the SCL and AD contacts before removing either one
Place both cables so you can see the four-pin I²C housing, the three-pin Sensors AD housing, both latches and the wire order. The close-up photographs below mark the SCL contact in the four-pin I²C housing and the AD contact in the three-pin Sensors AD housing. Leave the 3.3V and GND leads in their original Sensors AD housing cavities. Their loose DuPont contacts are not used for the Adafruit connection and must each be insulated with heat-shrink tubing. Wire colours may differ between compatible cables. Before removing either contact, match the SCL and AD positions, both latch orientations and the wire order shown in the photographs.
Step 6. Move the SCL contact into the AD position
Keep the Waveshare board disconnected from power while changing the cable.
Use a fine pointed tool to lift the plastic retaining tab for the AD contact in the Sensors AD housing.
Withdraw the AD crimp terminal from the Sensors AD housing without pulling hard on the wire.
Remove the AD lead from the cable assembly and set it aside. It is not used again.
Keep the 3.3V and GND leads in their original Sensors AD housing cavities. Make sure each loose DuPont contact is insulated separately.
Release the retaining tab for the marked SCL contact in the four-pin I²C housing and withdraw its crimp terminal.
Check that the SCL terminal and its locking tang are not bent or damaged.
Insert the SCL terminal into the now-empty AD cavity of the Sensors AD housing in the same orientation as the AD terminal you removed.
Pull the wire with light pressure to confirm that the terminal has locked into the housing.
Step 7. Route the cables and reassemble the Adafruit module bracket
Keep the two bracket halves separated so you can reach the module connectors.
Connect the STEMMA QT end of the modified Grove-to-STEMMA QT cable to the Adafruit module chain.
Route both modified cable leads through the open bracket as shown in the photograph below.
Rejoin the two halves of the Adafruit module bracket.
Reconnect every sensor to its Adafruit module.
Install the updated internal divider in place of the original part.
Screw the reassembled Adafruit module bracket to the updated divider.
Put the upper part of the enclosure back in place.
Step 8. Connect the modified cable pair
Connect the two prepared cable connectors to the Waveshare board:
Connect the modified three-pin connector to Sensors AD, marked 8 in the diagram.
Connect the four-pin connector of the Grove-to-STEMMA QT cable to UART2, marked 7 in the diagram.
Make sure the UART1/UART2 switch is set to UART2.
Insert the USB cable into the lower USB port, marked number 5 in the diagram. Leave its other end disconnected until Step 10.
Do not use the previous USB-UART port 6 or the old I²C connector 10 after the migration.
Step 9. Check the wiring before power-on
the dedicated Aura AQ 7" firmware is installed;
the UART switch is set to UART2;
the updated internal divider is installed and the reassembled Adafruit module bracket is secured to it;
the four-pin housing on the Grove-to-STEMMA QT cable is connected to UART2 connector 7;
the modified three-pin Sensors AD housing is connected to Sensors AD connector 8;
the relocated SCL contact is locked in the AD cavity of the three-pin Sensors AD housing;
the 3.3V, GND and SDA contacts remain in their original cavities in the four-pin Grove-to-STEMMA QT housing;
the 3.3V and GND leads remain in their original Sensors AD housing cavities, and each loose DuPont contact is insulated;
the removed AD lead has been taken out of the device;
the STEMMA QT end is connected to the Adafruit module chain;
the previous USB-UART port 6 is disconnected;
the USB cable is inserted in lower port 5, with its other end disconnected from the power source;
no terminal is loose, bent or exposed;
no cable is trapped or under tension.
If any connection is unclear, do not apply power.
Step 10. Power on and test
Connect the USB cable to a power source. Then check that:
the display starts;
touch input works;
Aura detects every connected Adafruit sensor;
sensor readings update;
the web dashboard opens;
Aura does not restart unexpectedly.
If you used Full Install, reconnect Aura to your Wi-Fi network before checking the web dashboard.
Starting with v1.2.0, lower USB port number 5 provides power, wired firmware installation and serial logs. Do not use the previous USB-UART port for future flashing or logs.
If the display or touch stops working while the web dashboard remains available, do not restart or unplug Aura. Open http://<your-aura-ip>/diag and download the diagnostic JSON file first.
Do not touch the wiring or move the UART switch while Aura is powered.
Step 11. Complete the assembly
Disconnect the USB cable from the power source. Put the screen and frame assembly back in place, make sure no cable is trapped, and screw the frame to the enclosure. Reconnect the USB cable to the power source.
The Aura 7" Adafruit hardware migration is complete.