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Raspberry Pi 4 Connection Guide

How to prepare Raspberry Pi 4 devices for provisioning

Overview

Raspberry Pi 4 differs from Raspberry Pi 5 in its boot mode entry method:

  • Raspberry Pi 5 has a built-in power button

  • Raspberry Pi 4 requires GPIO configuration

Each Raspberry Pi 4 device requires one-time GPIO configuration before it can be provisioned.

This configuration is permanent and stored in the device EEPROM.

Step-by-Step Guide

Part 1: One-time GPIO configuration

Before provisioning, configure the device to use GPIO pin 8 for RPIBOOT mode.

Requirements:

  • Raspberry Pi 4 device

  • SD card with Raspberry Pi OS

  • recovery.bin tool

Procedure:

  1. Follow the official instructions at:
    https://github.com/raspberrypi/usbboot/tree/master/secure-boot-recovery#step-2---select-the-nrpiboot-gpio

  2. Use the recovery.bin tool to configure GPIO 8 as the RPIBOOT pin

  3. Verify the configuration (see verification procedure below)

This configuration persists permanently in the device EEPROM and does not need to be repeated.

Recommended GPIO Pin: GPIO 8

Part 2: Verifying GPIO Configuration

After GPIO configuration, verify the settings were applied correctly.

Verification procedure:

  1. Boot the Raspberry Pi 4 normally with an SD card containing Raspberry Pi OS

  2. Open a terminal and execute:

    sudo rpi-eeprom-config

  3. Verify the output contains:

    WAKE_ON_GPIO=1
GPIO_EXPANDER_CFG=0x00000008

If these lines are present, the configuration is correct and the device is ready for provisioning.

If these lines are not present, repeat the recovery.bin configuration procedure.

Part 3: Provisioning Connection Procedure

After GPIO 8 configuration is complete, the device can be provisioned.

Required materials:

  • One jumper wire

  • One USB A to USB C cable

Connection procedure:

  1. Connect GPIO 8 to GND (ground) on the Raspberry Pi 4 using the jumper wire

    This activates RPIBOOT mode.

  2. While maintaining the GPIO 8 to GND connection, connect the USB cable from your provisioning computer to the Raspberry Pi 4

  3. Maintain the jumper wire connection throughout the entire provisioning process

  4. Provisioning will begin automatically

Note: Unlike Raspberry Pi 5, no disconnection and reconnection is required. The device will complete all provisioning phases while the jumper remains in place.

Determining Completion

Monitor the device LEDs during provisioning:

  • Both LEDs off = Provisioning is complete

  • The jumper wire can now be removed

  • The USB cable can be disconnected

  • The device is ready for deployment

Important Points To Remember

Point Explanation

One-time setup

The GPIO configuration only needs to be done once per device. It is permanent.

GPIO 8 recommended

Use GPIO 8 for consistency. Other GPIO pins can work but GPIO 8 is the standard.

Keep jumper connected

Do not remove the jumper wire during provisioning. Leave it connected until both LEDs are off.

No re-connection needed

Unlike Raspberry Pi 5, you do not need to unplug and re-plug the device during provisioning.

Good cables matter

Use a high-quality USB cable. Poor cables cause connection problems.

Troubleshooting Raspberry Pi 4

Problem: GPIO Configuration Did Not Work

Symptoms: When you run sudo rpi-eeprom-config, you do not see the GPIO settings.

Solutions:

Advanced check:

You can also extract and inspect the full EEPROM:

sudo rpi-eeprom-config --out /tmp/current-eeprom.bin
rpi-eeprom-config /tmp/current-eeprom.bin

Problem: Device Not Entering RPIBOOT Mode

Symptoms: You connect GPIO 8 to ground and plug in the USB cable, but nothing happens.

Solutions:

  • Check GPIO configuration first: Use the verification steps above to confirm GPIO 8 was configured correctly

  • Check the physical connection: Make sure the jumper wire connects GPIO 8 to a ground (GND) pin

  • Try a different USB cable: Use a shorter, high-quality cable

  • Try a different USB port: Some USB ports provide better power

  • Check your provisioning computer: Make sure it has enough power

  • Try a different GPIO: If GPIO 8 is not working, you can configure a different GPIO pin (but GPIO 8 is recommended)

Problem: Provisioning Stops or Hangs

Symptoms: The device starts provisioning but does not finish.

Solutions:

  • Keep the jumper wire connected: Do not remove the GPIO 8 to ground connection during provisioning

  • Check the logs: See the main troubleshooting section in the README

  • Verify the device was recognized: Check that the provisioning system detected the device

  • Try again: Disconnect everything, reconnect the jumper wire securely, and try again

Summary

Before first use:

  • Configure GPIO 8 using recovery.bin (once per device, permanent)

  • Verify with sudo rpi-eeprom-config

For each provisioning:

  • Connect GPIO 8 to GND with jumper wire

  • Keep jumper wire connected

  • Plug in USB cable

  • Wait for both LEDs to turn off

  • Remove jumper wire and disconnect

Remember:

  • No disconnection/reconnection needed (unlike Pi 5)

  • Use good quality USB cables

  • Keep jumper wire in place until complete