How to erase chip in STM32CubeIDE?

 To erase the flash of an STM32 “chip” from STM32CubeIDE, you basically use the built-in STM32CubeProgrammer backend. Here’s the standard way, step by step.

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1. Full-chip erase from STM32CubeIDE

A) Using the Run/Debug configuration (most common)

1. Connect your board

   • Plug in your STM32 board via ST-LINK (or built-in debugger on Nucleo/Discovery).

   • Make sure drivers are installed and the board shows up in CubeIDE.

2. Open Run/Debug configurations

   • In the menu:
     Run → Run Configurations…
     or Run → Debug Configurations… (both dialogs are similar).

3. Select your project/MCU config

   • In the left tree, under STM32 Cortex-M C/C++ Application, click your project’s configuration.

4. Go to the “Startup” or “Debugger” tab (name slightly varies by version)

   • Look for a section like “Initialization” or “Load/Erase”.

5. Enable Flash erase

   • You will see options such as:

     • “Reset behaviour” (Connect under reset, etc.)

     • “Erase Flash” or “Flash Download” options

   • Choose “Erase entire chip” / “Full chip erase” or similar wording.

   • Apply/OK.

6. Run or Debug

   • When you press Run or Debug, CubeIDE will:

     • Connect to the target

     • Erase the whole flash

     • Then program your new firmware.

This is the easiest way if your goal is: erase everything, then flash my new code.

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2. Erase only (without re-programming)

Sometimes you just want to wipe the chip, not load new firmware.

A) Via “External Tools” (STM32CubeProgrammer GUI)

1. Open STM32CubeProgrammer (installed together with CubeIDE or separately).

2. In CubeProgrammer:

   • Choose the correct connection (ST-LINK, J-Link, etc.).

   • Click Connect.

3. Under the “Erasing & Programming” section:

   • Click “Full chip erase”.

   • Confirm.

4. Disconnect – the MCU flash is now empty.

You can launch CubeProgrammer directly, or from CubeIDE via Help → STM32CubeProgrammer depending on version.

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B) Via CubeIDE’s “External Tools” / console (advanced)

If you’re comfortable with command line, CubeIDE can call the STM32_Programmer_CLI:

• Create a new External Tool configuration in CubeIDE that runs:

  STM32_Programmer_CLI -c port=SWD -e all
  

  (adjust port, sn, etc. as needed)

• Running that external tool from the toolbar will do a full erase only.

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3. Quick sanity checks if erase doesn’t work

If you click erase and nothing happens (or you get errors):

1. Check connection

   • Correct ST-LINK firmware, cable, and target voltage (3.3 V / 5 V).

   • Sometimes you need “Connect under reset” if option bytes are misconfigured.

2. Check option bytes / readout protection

   • If RDP (Readout Protection) is at Level 1, many tools will:

     • Either refuse to read

     • Or require a full chip erase to unlock.

   • In CubeProgrammer, set RDP to Level 0 and apply changes (it will erase flash).

3. Check that you selected entire chip, not “selected sectors”

   • Some dialogs default to bank/sector erase; pick “Full chip erase” if you want everything gone.

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4. Minimal “just tell me the button” summary

• To erase when programming:

  1. Run → Run Configurations…

  2. Select your STM32 project.

  3. In Startup/Debugger tab, enable “Erase entire chip”.

  4. Click Run.

• To erase only:

  1. Open STM32CubeProgrammer.

  2. Connect to the MCU.

  3. Click Full Chip Erase.