Downloading and flashing the image file
- Did you download the image via regular download or via torrent? We recommend the latter as it checks again file corruption. Also make sure to use Transmission or another webseed client so it does not wait uselessly for other peers before starting to download;
- When flashing your image onto the microSD card with the Raspberry Pi imager, let it go through the full verification step so as to make sure the image is copied correctly;
- Do not change any of the settings (network name or whatnot) as it bricks the system;
- If your card isn’t new then maybe try with another one. These things are pretty fragile and tend to wear off over time, might be worth checking out. See also below for hardware testing.
Running the Raspberry Pi
- Remember: the Raspberry Pi zero 2W is not supported yet.
- Have you plugged your hotspot onto a screen? If yes then don’t, it’s just a hotspot!
- You need to give it 5-6 minutes for the first boot to unpack everything and show a network (and then also 5-6 minutes for the first captive portal to appear once connected; after that it’ll be much smoother);
- If you get an error message or warning when trying to connect to the hotspot, check that you have entered http:// instead of https:// as the URL. Some browser extensions (such as DuckDuckGo privacy or https everywhere) will also force encrypted connections and may need to be disabled;
- For those who created a custom image via the imager access: it is possible to add/remove zim files on your configuration: goto http://zim-manager.networkname.hotspot to access the file manager. The login and password are those you set up on the dashboard when creating the image. Be mindful that adding (large) new files over the hotspot’s wifi might take quite some time.
Check your hardware
Here is the standard testing procedure to ensure your Hardware and tools are OK:
- Download the Free Image from the Hotspot Page. It’s a smaller download that speeds up testing. Please use the torrent link to ensure there is no issue with the download (it downloads from the same HTTPs location but it ensures it’s not corrupt).
- Insert your SD-card onto your computer.
- Launch the Raspberry Pi Imager software.
- Do not use the Choose device button
- Select the downloaded image file via Choose OS -> Use custom (filename should be demo_202y-mm_xxxxxxxx.img or similar)
- Select the SD-card using Choose storage
- Click the Next button
- Select No when asked about OS customization
- Select Yes at the warning to confirm your SD-card will be erased
- Insert the card in the Pi
- Make sure that the power supply is appropriate: should be 12.5W (2.5A) for Pi Zero2W and Pi 3, 15W (3A) for Pi 4 and Pi 400, 27W (5A) for Pi 5.
- Plug the power cord, lights should turn on.
- Wait for 10 minutes (to be safe), so 600 seconds. This is only for the first boot as the OS need to install.
- Using another device like your phone or a computer, look for a wifi network named “kiwix”. It’s an open network and it is not providing Internet access so depending on your testing system, it may not be a suggested SSID. If you can find the SSID, then your hardware works.