The CH21013 is essentially a refined CH341A board. It typically features:
Warning: The original CH341A outputs 5V on its I/O pins. Many CH21013 variants fix this with level shifters, but always verify your board. Feeding 5V to a 3.3V Winbond chip is a quick way to let the magic smoke out.
Is the CH21013 + ASprogrammer worth it?
Absolutely. For under $10 (programmer + clip), you get 80% of the functionality of a $100 Dediprog. It’s not the fastest (SPI clock ~3MHz), and you need to be careful with voltage levels, but for hobbyists and repair shops on a budget, nothing beats it.
Pro tip: Order two CH21013s. They’re cheap, and it’s nice to have a spare when you accidentally short something.
Have you used ASprogrammer with a CH21013? Share your BIOS rescue story in the comments below.
Disclaimer: Always back up your original firmware before writing anything. The author is not responsible for bricked devices.
The request refers to AsProgrammer v2.1.0.13 , an open-source software utility used to program memory chips (EEPROM, SPI Flash) via hardware programmers like the Overview of AsProgrammer 2.1.0.13
AsProgrammer is a popular alternative to the original proprietary software for the CH341A, often preferred for its improved stability, hardware support, and community-driven updates. Version 2.1.0.13_fix is frequently cited in technical communities (such as
) as a stable release for reflashing BIOS chips and fixing bricked devices. Key Features Broad Protocol Support : Works with SPI, I2C, and MicroWire protocols. Hardware Compatibility : Supports various programmers including: CH341A / CH347 (most common). (requires custom firmware). AVRISP-mkII Customization chiplist.xml
file that users can manually edit to add support for otherwise unrecognized memory chips Scripting Support asprogrammer+21013
: Includes a script editor for custom operations like block erasing or specific write procedures. Practical Use Cases
AsProgrammer dregmod allow you to program flash ... - GitHub
It sounds like you’re looking for a proper guide to use ASProgrammer with a CH341A programmer (the error 21013 typically appears when the software can’t find or initialize the programmer hardware).
Here’s a clear, proper guide to get ASProgrammer working correctly with the CH341A (commonly used for SPI flash, BIOS, EEPROM chips).
The "Plus" version (which 21013 belongs to) differs from the vanilla version by:
This version supports a massive database of chips from major manufacturers (Winbond, Macronix, Micron, Spansion, AMIC, etc.).
If you have your programmer hardware ready, follow this exact guide to get the asprogrammer+21013 combination working.
Grab the latest build from the official GitHub repository. No installer—just unzip and run ASprogrammer.exe.
The string "asprogrammer+21013" has become a rite of passage for anyone serious about low-level BIOS flashing. It looks like a cryptic error code, but as we have learned, it is merely a symptom of driver conflicts, loose wires, or speed mismatches. The CH21013 is essentially a refined CH341A board
By understanding that 21013 represents a communication timeout between the software and the CH341A hardware, you can systematically troubleshoot:
Once conquered, the CH341A running ASProgrammer is an incredibly reliable tool. You will be able to flash Coreboot, repair corrupted UEFI BIOS, and dump EEPROMs from vintage electronics without seeing that dreaded 21013 error again.
Have you encountered the 21013 error with a different chip or a different programmer? The solutions above apply universally to any SPI programmer using the CH341A chipset. Keep your drivers clean, your wires short, and your pull-ups strong.
Did this guide help you fix your CH341A? Share your experience in hardware forums under the tag #asprogrammer21013 to help the next user in trouble.
AsProgrammer 2.1.0.13 is a widely utilized open-source utility designed for flashing and reading serial memory chips, specifically EEPROMs and SPI Flash. It is most commonly used in conjunction with the CH341A hardware programmer, serving as a more stable and feature-rich alternative to the official software often bundled with cheap hardware. Key Features of Version 2.1.0.13
This specific version is favored by technicians for its balance of stability and compatibility. Significant updates in this release include:
Broad Device Support: Handles various 24-series I2C EEPROMs and 25-series SPI Flash chips, which are standard in PC BIOS, TV firmware, and router configurations.
Hardware Versatility: While primarily used with the CH341A, it also supports USBASP, Arduino-based programmers, and the Bus Pirate.
Improved UI: The 2.1.0.13 update introduced a UI that remembers the last window position and the last used component, reducing setup time for repetitive tasks. Warning: The original CH341A outputs 5V on its I/O pins
Safety Protocols: Algorithms for reading and writing were rewritten in this version to prioritize data integrity and prevent chip corruption. Using AsProgrammer for Firmware Recovery
AsProgrammer is a "portable" application, meaning it does not require installation. You can run it directly from its folder after downloading.
Hardware Connection: Connect your programmer (like the CH341A) to the PC. If you are flashing a chip still on a motherboard, use a SOP8 test clip.
Detection: Click "Read ID" to allow the software to automatically identify the chip. If the chip is not detected, you may need to manually select it from the extensive chiplist.xml database. Operations:
Read: Creates a backup of the current firmware. Always save this as a .bin file before making changes. Erase: Clears the chip's memory before writing new data. Program: Writes your new firmware file to the chip.
Verify: Compares the data on the chip against your source file to ensure there were no errors during the write process. Why Professionals Prefer AsProgrammer
Unlike the standard CH341A software, which often suffers from translation issues and limited chip databases, AsProgrammer 2.1.0.13 allows for custom scripts and manual editing of the chip list. This makes it possible to support newer 1.8V chips (like the W25Q256JW) by simply adding a line of code to the software's XML configuration.
AsProgrammer dregmod allow you to program flash ... - GitHub
If the SPI flash is completely blank (all 0xFF or 0x00) or has its status register locked (SRP0/SRP1 bits set), the chip will not send its Manufacturer ID back to the programmer. ASProgrammer waits for that ID, fails, and logs Error 21013.
