5.4 How to Use the Hardware Tool Emergency Boot Firmware Recovery Utility

: Only use this utility to restore hardware tool boot firmware to its factory state. Use only if your hardware tool no longer functions on any machine.
The debugger may need to be forced into recovery boot mode (reprogrammed) in rare situations; for example, if any of the following occurs when the debugger is connected to the computer:
  • If the debugger has no LED lit.
  • If the procedure described in the previous section was not successful.

YOU MUST HAVE MPLAB X IDE v6.25 OR GREATER TO USE THE EMERGENCY RECOVERY UTILITY FOR MPLAB PICkit Basic.

Carefully follow the instructions found in MPLAB X IDE under the main menu options Debug > Hardware Tool Emergency Boot Firmware Recovery.

Figure 5-1. Selecting Emergency Utility

The figure below shows where the emergency recovery button is located on the MPLAB PICkit Basic In-Circuit Debugger. You can use a paperclip or small screwdriver (shown) to press the button.

Figure 5-2. Emergency Recovery Button

If the procedure was successful, the recovery wizard displays a success screen. The MPLAB PICkit Basic will now be operational and able to communicate with the MPLAB X IDE.

If the procedure failed, try it again. If it fails a second time, contact Microchip Support at support.microchip.com.