Connect to your controller's WiFi

1. Power on — plug a USB-C power bank into the USB-C port. The onboard LED lights up a solid color when it's running.
2. On your phone or laptop, look for a WiFi network named ProtoFrenz-XXXX (last four characters are unique to your device). Connect — no password by default.
3. Open a browser and go to http://192.168.4.1 — use http://, not https://.

Common issues

Phone shows "No internet" and disconnects? When prompted, tap "Stay connected" or "Use this network anyway". On Android, look for the notification and confirm. Some phones disconnect silently — if the WebUI stops loading, check you're still on the ProtoFrenz network.

Page won't load on iPhone or Mac? This is a known iOS/macOS quirk on networks without internet access. The fix: connect the controller to a computer via USB-C, open Chrome or Edge, and use the "Configure Wi-Fi" option on the manual page to join your home network. After that one-time setup, the WebUI loads normally from any Apple device on the same network.

Controller not broadcasting the ProtoFrenz network? Confirm the power bank is on and check the onboard LED is lit. Try a full power cycle. If the LED stays dark there may be a power issue — try a different cable or bank.

Forgot your WiFi password? You can clear it via the System tab in the WebUI if you can still connect, or do a factory reset as a last resort. See the manual WiFi section for details.

Accessing the WebUI

1. Connect to ProtoFrenz-XXXX WiFi.
2. Open a browser and go to http://192.168.4.1 — http://, not https://. Some browsers force https and will fail to load.
3. From here: edit face expressions, change gradients, configure the button, adjust mic sensitivity, and manage WiFi settings.

Joining your home network

In the WebUI, go to System → WiFi Mode and select "Home — AP + connect to home network". Enter your credentials and save. After reboot, the controller is reachable from any device on your home network. Firmware updates also run automatically once connected.

iPhone / Mac not loading the WebUI?

Connect the controller via USB-C to a computer, open Chrome or Edge, go to the manual page, and use "Configure Wi-Fi" to add it to your home network. One-time fix — works from any Apple device on the same network after that.

Full documentation

The complete ProtoFrenz controller manual covers everything — hardware setup, display types, the WebUI, expressions and presets, button configuration, performance modes, firmware updates, and troubleshooting.

Open the manual

Quick links

• Quick start guide
• Board layout & connectors
• WebUI guide
• WiFi setup
• Firmware updates
• Troubleshooting

Accidentally hit reset? Restore the default program

1. Download the ProtoFrenz default faces & program and unzip it onto a thumb drive. Make sure the files from the ZIP are in the root (base) directory of the drive — not inside a subfolder.
2. Unplug power and the thumb drive.
3. Insert something small (allen key, small screwdriver) into the reset hole and hold the button.
4. Plug in power — it blinks once then goes blank.
5. Release the reset button. Pink stripes should appear.
6. Plug in the thumb drive — the display flashes "USB" during the restore routine. Done!

Display blank or showing garbage pixels?

Power: Use a USB Micro type B cable with a 5V, 2.4A minimum power bank or plug. Confirm the bank is on and producing output.

LedArt hardware settings: Device → Hardware (password: 888) → confirm scan method is C5. Program settings: Width 128, Height 32, Full Color, Gray Level 8.

Still blank? Confirm you're still connected to the WF1_***** WiFi network — phones often silently drop networks with no internet.

Initial setup

1. Download the LedArt app — App Store (iOS) or Google Play (Android).
2. Connect your phone to the WiFi network starting with WF1. Password: 88888888. Choose "Stay connected" if prompted.
3. Open LedArt — your device should appear as ProtoFrenz LED or a WF1 controller name.
4. To switch faces remotely: Device → Remote → No Looping → use up/down arrows. Adjust brightness here too.

iPhone users — connection issues

Uploading custom faces

Device → Hardware (password: 888), confirm scan method is C5. Program → New Program → delete default text area → + → Image → Local image → Send. Create 128×32px images with the ProtoFrenz Face Maker.

Troubleshooting

LedArt can't find the device? Your phone may have disconnected from the WF1 network — reconnect and reopen LedArt. Disable autoconnect on other saved networks if this keeps happening.

Step 1 — Confirm hardware settings

Before uploading any images, verify the panel is configured correctly or your faces won't display properly.

1. In LedArt, tap Device at the bottom, then tap Hardware. Enter password 888 when prompted.
2. Check that Scanning method shows C5. If it doesn't, tap it and run Manual confirmation — the app will guide you through auto-detecting the correct setting.
3. Go back to the Program list and tap the filter icon (three lines with dots) in the top right.
4. Turn off "Using hardware settings", then set: Width 128, Height 32, Color Level: Full Color, Gray Level: 8. Tap OK.

Step 2 — Upload a single image

1. On the Program screen, tap New program.
2. A default text area is added automatically — delete it by tapping the X next to "Text".
3. Tap the + button and select Image, then choose Local image to pick a file from your phone.
4. Tap Send in the top right — your image will appear on the panels immediately.

Step 3 — Upload multiple faces & switch between them

Each "program" in LedArt holds one or more images that play in sequence. Create multiple programs to have a library of faces you can switch between.

1. Repeat Step 2 for each face you want to upload, creating a new program for each one.
2. Once you have multiple programs, tap Send from the Program list screen (not from inside a program) to push all programs to the panels at once.
3. To switch faces live: go to Device → Remote, tap No Looping, then use the up/down arrows to step through your programs. You can also adjust brightness from this screen.

Preventing fogging

The most effective approach is ventilation — a small 5V fan directed at the back of the visor keeps airflow moving and prevents condensation. The ProtoFrenz controller includes a PWM fan connector built for exactly this.

Frog Spit anti-fog spray applied to the interior surface works great. Apply a thin coat, let it dry, and buff lightly. Reapply as needed — especially before long convention days.

Anti-fog cloths (disposable glasses wipes) are handy for quick treatment right before suiting up.

Cleaning your visor

ProtoFrenz visors are printed in PETG. To keep them clear:

• Always use a microfiber cloth — paper towels and rough fabrics scratch PETG.
• Dish soap + water handles most smudges. Rinse gently and dry with a microfiber cloth.
• Avoid alcohol, acetone, or ammonia-based cleaners (like Windex) — these cloud and craze PETG over time.
• For stubborn marks, 70% IPA applied sparingly on a cloth (never sprayed directly) is acceptable.