Set up your NerdQaxe

This guide shows you clearly how to get your NerdQaxe++ running. From the Wi-Fi setup through pool and wallet to the firmware – all in clear steps.

This guide takes you from the first start-up to mining in the dashboard. The description is deliberately simple and free of jargon – ideal for newcomers too.

Your device at a glance
The NerdQaxe++ is an open-source miner for home use. During setup you connect it to your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, store your pool details and enter your Bitcoin address as the stratum user. After that the dashboard shows you whether everything runs as intended.

Performance & consumption

Hash rate: the NerdQaxe++ typically reaches around 4.8 TH/s.

Power draw is around 80 watts, depending on your settings; the 92 mm fan keeps the four ASICs quiet in a living space. The first hash rate values appear in the dashboard after one or two minutes.

If you bought your NerdQaxe++ from us, thank you for your trust!

Have ready

To make the start smooth, keep the following within reach:

your NerdQaxe+ or NerdQaxe++ miner
the credentials for your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi (name & password)
your Bitcoin address (on-chain) – not a Lightning address
the power supply with the round DC plug (barrel 5.5 × 2.1 mm, 12 V DC / 10 A)
the NerdQaxe mount

Preparation Quick start in 3 steps Connect Wi-Fi

Preparation

for absolute beginners

In this section you get your NerdQaxe++ ready to start.
You unpack everything, check that nothing is missing, find the right spot and connect the power supply. No prior knowledge needed – we explain every step calmly.

STEP 1

UNPACK

Unpack everything carefully. Lay all parts out and remove the protective films.

STEP 2

CHECK THE CONTENTS

Check what is in the box. It should contain the NerdQaxe++, the mount and the PSU (power supply). If something is missing or looks damaged, contact the shop or support.

STEP 3

VISUAL CHECK

Inspect the device. Look at the heatsink, the cables and the fan. Nothing should be loose. The fan should turn freely. Make sure the round DC (barrel) connector is firm. The display is only plugged on – that is normal, not a defect.

STEP 4

CHOOSE A SPOT

Find the right location. The miner is best placed on a firm, level surface with air circulation. A socket and Wi-Fi should be within reach. Keep it away from heat sources and moisture.

STEP 5

THE RIGHT POWER SUPPLY

Your NerdQaxe++ needs 12 V DC / 10 A, barrel 5.5 × 2.1 mm. No USB-C power.

STEP 6

PREPARE THE POWER SUPPLY

Do not plug the PSU in yet; untangle the cable so that nothing is under tension.

STEP 7

CONNECT THE POWER SUPPLY TO THE DEVICE

Insert the power connector. Guide the barrel plug straight into Power In, without tilting or bending it.

STEP 8

CONNECT POWER

Switch it on. Plug the PSU into the socket. After one or two seconds the display and fan start.

STEP 9

START SCREEN

Check the Wi-Fi name. The display shows NerdQAxe_XXXX. Note that SSID down.

STEP 10

NEXT

On to the Wi-Fi setup. Continue with the section connect Wi-Fi below.

Quick start in 3 steps

For the experienced: connect Wi-Fi, set the pool, check briefly – done.

1. Connect Wi-Fi: join NerdQAxe_XXXX. If no page opens, enter http://192.168.4.1 in your browser.

2. Enter pool & wallet: in the dashboard under Pool Settings enter stratum host pool.opensourceminers.de, port 3333, your Bitcoin address as the stratum user and password x. Ready-made values: pool configurator. Then Save and Restart.

3. Check in AxeOS: look at hash rate, accepted shares and temperature on the dashboard.

The NerdQaxe only supports 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Do not choose a 5 GHz network.

Connect Wi-Fi

In short: in this section you connect your NerdQaxe++ to your Wi-Fi and open the AxeOS dashboard in a browser to set everything up.

Step 1: if you have already done the preparation, your NerdQaxe++ should be switched on and ready. Starting here? Then plug the power supply in now – after one or two seconds you hear the fan start and the display lights up.

Step 2: the display now shows your miner’s Wi-Fi name (for example NerdQAxe_XXXX). Open the Wi-Fi settings on your phone, laptop or tablet and select exactly that network.

The NerdQaxe appears as its own Wi-Fi network

Select the NerdQaxe Wi-Fi network in the network list

Step 3: in most cases the setup page opens automatically. If it does not, enter http://192.168.4.1 manually in your browser’s address bar.

Step 4: open “Settings” in the AxeOS dashboard. There you can set any hostname you like.

Step 5: enter your Wi-Fi SSID and password exactly. Unsure? Tap the eye icon to show the password and check what you typed.

Enter your Wi-Fi name and password in AxeOS

Step 6: store the details with “Save”.

Step 7: click “Restart” so your NerdQaxe reboots.

Step 8: the miner joins your home Wi-Fi and already starts mining. The display shows an IP address (for example 192.168.20.234). Note it down – you will use it to open the AxeOS dashboard.

Enter pool & wallet

In short: you open Pool Settings, enter host, port and your Bitcoin address as the stratum user, save and restart.

For beginners: fill in the fields exactly as shown here. General settings such as the mining pool and your Bitcoin address can be changed at any time later. Recommendation: enter our solo pool pool.opensourceminers.de (port 3333, 0 % fee; the pool configurator provides the values ready to copy) unless you run your own pool with a LiquidBox V5.

Step 1: open the dashboard at the IP address shown on the display (for example http://192.168.20.234).

Step 2: go to “Pool Settings”.

Step 3: enter the host of your pool: pool.opensourceminers.de.

Step 4: add port 3333.

Step 5: enter your Bitcoin address (on-chain) as the stratum user. Replace the default address completely – no spaces.

Warning: do not use a Lightning address. Only use Bitcoin addresses whose keys you control yourself (self-custody).

Step 6 (optional): append a .worker to your address, for example .miner1, to tell your devices apart in the pool.

The worker label is just a name for the pool’s display (useful with several devices).

Step 7: enter password x – pool.opensourceminers.de does not check it, but the field must not be empty.

Step 8: click “Save” to store the settings.

Step 9: click “Restart” so the NerdQaxe++ reboots and connects to the pool.

Save pool and Bitcoin address, then restart

Start & monitor mining

In short: here you see whether your NerdQaxe is working properly. The dashboard shows the hash rate, the counted accepted shares and the temperature. Take a moment to check. If something stands out, the notes below help.

Step 1: open the AxeOS dashboard at the IP address if it is not open already.

Step 2: after one or two minutes the hash rate should rise to the expected value (around 4.8 TH/s).

Step 3: the “accepted” figures rise over time, “rejected” should stay as close to zero as possible.

Step 4: watch the performance for a few minutes to be sure everything runs stably.

Warning: if the temperature stays at 70 °C or above, provide more air circulation or a cooler spot. You can also lower the frequency carefully in Settings.

Check hash rate, shares and temperature in AxeOS

Step 5: if no values appear, check host, port and BTC address on the pool tab. Improve the Wi-Fi signal if needed.

Step 6: once values appear, check the stability briefly: accepted should keep rising, rejected should stay close to 0 %. Keep an eye on the temperature and pick a cooler spot or more airflow if it runs high.

Step 7: your NerdQaxe is now running and mining – the setup is complete!

Quick help: no hash rate – check stratum host (hostname only, without stratum+tcp://), port and BTC address, then restart the miner. Rejected above 1 % – move the device closer to the router, fix the channel to 1, 6 or 11 and check for interference (a microwave or repeater, for example). Step by step: troubleshooter.

Done – your NerdQaxe++ is running!

Your miner runs stably and is ready for continuous use. The chapters below are optional and show you how to improve your setup or solve small problems yourself.

Update the firmware & restart

In short: a firmware update brings AxeOS bug fixes and new features. The easiest way is our web flasher over USB-C – Wi-Fi and pool settings are kept. Alternatively you upload the files in the dashboard. Both routes are below as method A and B.

Method A – web flasher (recommended and easiest)

Easiest with our web flasher:

• Connect the NerdQaxe via USB-C directly to your computer – a data cable, not a USB hub. The device can keep running.

• Open flasher.bitaxe.de in Chrome, Edge or Opera on desktop.

• Click your device tile. “AxeOS original” is preselected; switch at the top if you want the optimized OSM-OS builds.

• Leave “Keep configuration” ticked – then Wi-Fi, pool and Bitcoin address survive the update.

• Click “Install firmware” and pick your miner’s serial port in the browser dialog.

• Wait until the bar reaches 100 %. The miner reboots and is back on the network after about 30 seconds.

Firefox and Safari cannot flash over serial. There you use method B.

Method B – online update (in the dashboard)

• Open the AxeOS dashboard at the IP address from the display.
• Switch to Settings and click Check to look for newer firmware.
• If a new version is offered, download the two linked files: esp-miner.bin (firmware) and www.bin (web interface).
• Update the web interface first (Update Website → +Browse → www.bin), then the firmware (Update Firmware → +Browse → esp-miner.bin). Wait about 60 seconds; the device reboots automatically.

The order matters: www.bin first, then esp-miner.bin – and do not disconnect power during the update.

Solving problems & FAQ

In short: here you find common questions and simple solutions around your NerdQaxe++. If something does not work, go through the points step by step – usually the problem is solved quickly.

How do I set up the NerdQaxe++?

Connect the power supply (12 V DC / 10 A), join the NerdQAxe_XXXX Wi-Fi, enter your home network, then store pool and Bitcoin address in AxeOS and restart. The full sequence is described step by step above.

How do I connect the NerdQaxe++ to Wi-Fi?

Join the NerdQAxe_XXXX network with your phone or laptop. The setup page usually opens automatically; if not, open http://192.168.4.1. Enter your 2.4 GHz SSID and password, save and restart.

Why do I see no hash rate?

Check host, port and stratum user (your BTC address) under Pool Settings, then Save and Restart. Give it one or two minutes – the first values do not appear instantly.

Why does the Wi-Fi network not appear?

Check that the power supply is seated firmly, move closer to the device and scan again. Unplugging the PSU briefly and plugging it back in usually helps.

How do I find the IP address of my NerdQaxe?

The display shows the IP address after it has joined your home Wi-Fi. Alternatively, check the list of connected devices in your router.

Why is my password shown as wrong?

Use a 2.4 GHz network only, watch capitalisation and spaces, and use the “show password” function to avoid typos.

How do I fix Wi-Fi drop-outs or connection problems?

Check whether other devices have problems too, restart the router, place the miner where the signal is strong and avoid chains of repeaters. Connect it to the main SSID if you can.

Why is my reject rate high (above 1 %)?

Move the device closer to the router, set fixed channels 1, 6 or 11 in the router and avoid interference such as microwaves or repeaters. Check stratum host and port against the pool configurator.

What if the AxeOS dashboard does not load?

Restart the router and open the IP again, disable ad blockers or tracking protection as a test, or use a Chromium browser such as Chrome or Edge. Clearing the browser cache also helps.

How do I reset the NerdQaxe++ completely?

The easiest way is a clean flash with the web flasher: connect the device over USB, turn Keep configuration off and start the flash. All local settings (Wi-Fi, pool, stratum user) are erased, so note down host, port and your BTC address beforehand.

Why is the display upside down or unreadable?

Open Settings and tick ‘Flip Screen’, then save and restart.

How do I prevent overheating?

Keep at least 10 cm of space around the device, do not run it in a closed cabinet, remove dust from fan and heatsink, and watch the temperature in the dashboard. If it stays at 70 °C or above, lower the frequency carefully in Settings.

Safety & location

Summary: place your device safely and keep it clean to keep operation stable.

Provide good air circulation (at least 10 cm of space around the device).
Use only the recommended power supply: 12 V DC / 10 A, barrel 5.5 × 2.1 mm.
USB-C is for data only – not for power.
Keep the NerdQaxe++ clean and free of dust.
Do not leave it running unattended in closed rooms without ventilation.

Tools for the setup

Pool configurator – ready-made AxeOS values Troubleshooter – when something does not work Web flasher – firmware in the browser Mining calculator – power cost and block chance

Products for your NerdQaxe setup

Buy the NerdQaxe++ NerdQaxe mount All Bitcoin miners