> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://guide.cronuszen.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://guide.cronuszen.com/cronus-zen-guide/all-in-one-easy-setup.md).

# All-In-One — Easy Setup

Everything from opening the box to playing on your console, in order. No prior knowledge needed.

This page takes you all the way from an unopened box, over flashing a GamePack/Script to playing on your console.\
Do the steps in order and do not skip ahead — each one assumes the last one is finished.

It takes about 20 minutes the first time.

***

### What this All-in-One step by step guide covers

1. [What you need before you start](#what-you-need-before-you-start)
2. [Open the setup software](#step-1-open-the-setup-software)
3. [Update the firmware](#step-2-update-the-firmware)
4. [Plug the Cronus Zen™ into your computer](#step-3-plug-the-zen-into-your-computer)
5. [Flash a Script / GamePack](#step-4-flash-a-script-gamepack)
6. [Check that your console and controller are supported](#step-5-check-that-your-console-and-controller-are-supported)
7. [Connect the Cronus Zen™ to your console](#step-6-connect-the-zen-to-your-console)
8. [Test it](#step-8-test-it)

***

### What you need before you start

* **A computer with the** [**Chrome browser**](https://www.google.com/chrome/)**.** Zen Studio Live runs inside the browser, so Windows, macOS, and Linux all work. You only need the computer for setup — once the Zen is configured, it works on its own.
* **Two USB-C cables.** One short and one long cable are in the box.
* **Your controller**, charged.
* **Your console.**

You do not need to install drivers, or pay for anything to complete this guide.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Lost the cables that came in the box?**

Any USB-C cable works — but it has to be a **data cable**, not a charge-only cable.

The difference is inside: a charge-only cable has just the two power wires. A data cable has those plus two more that carry the actual communication. Without them the Zen lights up but your computer never sees it.

**The quick test:** use the cable to connect your phone to your computer. If the phone's files show up, it is a data cable. If it only charges, it is not.
{% endhint %}

***

### Step 1 — Open the setup software

The software is called **Zen Studio Live**. It is what you use to tell the Zen what to do.\
It runs inside the [Chrome browser](https://www.google.com/chrome/) — nothing to download, nothing to install.\
\
You just open a web page: [zenstudio.collectivemindsstore.com](https://zenstudio.collectivemindsstore.com/)

Open that link in [Chrome](https://www.google.com/chrome/) now and leave the tab open.\
You will come back to it in almost every step from here on.

***

### Step 2 — Update the firmware

Your Cronus Zen™ came from the factory it may have an older firmware on it.\
Update it now, before you connect anything to a console.

The Zen has two USB-C ports.\
They are not interchangeable — each step in this guide tells you which one to use, so read carefully.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Unplug every cable from the Zen**

<sub>All of them, the next steps only work if the Zen starts out with nothing attached</sub>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Turn the Zen around so you can see the back, find the small blue button
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Press and hold** that button, keep holding
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
While still holding, plug the USB data cable into the **top port** of the Zen
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
In Zen Studio Live, click **Update Firmware** in the bottom-left corner
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Connect Device**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Choose Cronus Zen**™ **from the list, then click Connect**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Update to latest**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**The firmware now writes to your Zen.**

<sup>This takes a while, do not unplug the cable and do not close the page while it runs</sup>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
When it is finished you get a success message that says Firmware updated
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click **Close**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### **Prefer to watch someone do it?**

We have a short video that walks through connecting your Zen to Zen Studio Live.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rocT6KLMA20>" %}
Updating the Cronus Zen™ firmware
{% endembed %}

{% hint style="danger" %}
**Do not interrupt the update.**

Unplugging the cable or closing the page part-way through can leave the Zen with half-written firmware. Let it finish, however long it takes.
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Cronus Zen**™ **does not appear in the list?**

Then it is not in the right mode. Unplug the cable, press and hold the blue button again, and plug the cable in while you are still holding it. The order is what matters: hold first, then plug in.

If that does not help, try a different cable — a charge-only cable will not work here either.
{% endhint %}

***

### Step 3 — Plug the Zen into your computer

For this step you need the port labelled **PROG USB**.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Take a USB-C cable
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Plug one end into the **PROG USB** port on the Zen
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Plug the other end into your computer
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Go back to the Zen Studio Live tab in Chrome and click Connect Device
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
A small window opens listing the devices Chrome can see
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Choose Cronus Bridge
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Click Connect
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### **Prefer to watch someone do it?**

We have a short video that walks through connecting your Zen to Zen Studio Live.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgAmRHzDXn4>" %}
Connecting your Cronus Zen™ to Zen Studio Live
{% endembed %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Why does the browser ask for permission?**

Chrome does not let a web page reach hardware on its own — you have to point at the device and allow it, once per browser. That is what the small window is doing.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

{% hint style="danger" %}
**Cronus Bridge does not appear in the list?**

Almost always the **cable**. Many USB-C cables only carry power, and the Zen will light up on one of those while staying completely invisible to your computer.\
\
Try a different cable before you change anything else.\
If the cable is definitely a data cable, unplug the Zen, plug it back in, and click **Connect Device** again.
{% endhint %}

***

### Step 4 — Flash a Script / GamePack&#x20;

Once you're connected to Zen Studio Live using the right port on your Cronus Zen™, you can put a script or a GamePack onto a slot.

**Scripts**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Press the **Scripts Library** icon on the left sidebar
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Browse through the scripts
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Press **Send to Slot** on the one you want to flash
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Choose a slot you want to flash it on
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

Press the **Editor** icon on the left sidebar to see the GPC code and further information from the author.\
You can also open your own GPC files by pressing the **Open File** icon on the top left.

**GamePacks**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Press the **Device Slots** icon on the left sidebar
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
On the right, you'll see the list of available GamePacks
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Hit the **Send** button of the chosen GamePack
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Choose a slot
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="info" %}
**Settings window**

Most of the time, a new window will open with settings you can adjust.

You can also press **Save** and make the adjustments on the OLED screen of the Zen itself, which is usually much more comfortable.
{% endhint %}

**Program the slots**

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
Press the **Home** icon on the left sidebar
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Hit **Program** on the right
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**You'll see a final overview of your slots**

<sub>Which scripts or GamePacks you want to flash</sub>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Press **Program Slots**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**The chosen files will now be flashed to your Cronus Zen**™

<sub>This will take a few seconds</sub>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
Once it's done, you'll see a green popup on the bottom right saying **Programming complete**
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### **Prefer to watch someone do it?**

We have a short video that walks through flashing a script or GamePack.
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/IcqbvyHiMkg?si=v1jrVcCu3v3PUU3I>" %}
Flashing a script or GamePack
{% endembed %}

***

### Step 5 — Check that your console and controller are supported

Before you connect the Zen to your console, check that both your console and your controller are on the supported list.

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="PlayStation" %}

* [PlayStation®5](/supported-devices/ps5.md)
* [PlayStation®4](/supported-devices/ps4.md)
* [PlayStation®3](/supported-devices/ps3.md)
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Xbox" %}

* [Xbox Series X|S®](/supported-devices/xboxseriesxs.md)
* [Xbox® One](/supported-devices/xbox-r-one.md)
* [Xbox 360®](/supported-devices/xbox-360-r.md)
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Nintendo" %}

* [Nintendo Switch®](/supported-devices/switch.md)
* [Nintendo® Wii](/supported-devices/nintendo-r-wii.md)
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="PC & Mobile" %}

* [Windows® PC](/supported-devices/windowspc.md)
* [Android®](/supported-devices/android.md)
* [Apple®](/supported-devices/apple.md)
  {% endtab %}

{% tab title="Controller & M/K" %}

* [Controller](/supported-devices/controller.md)
* [Mice](/supported-devices/mice.md)
* [Keyboard](/supported-devices/keyboard.md)
* [Racing Wheels](/supported-devices/racing-wheels.md)
  {% endtab %}
  {% endtabs %}

Open the page for your console and the page for your controller. Both list which models are supported and how they connect.

***

### Step 6 — Connect the Zen to your console

| Platform             | Output Protocol                   |
| -------------------- | --------------------------------- |
| **Windows® PC**      | `AUTO`                            |
| **Xbox®**            | `Xbox One X/S`                    |
| **PlayStation®4**    | `PlayStation 4/5`                 |
| **Nintendo Switch®** | `Nintendo Switch`                 |
| **PlayStation®5**    | See the PlayStation®5 pages below |

Then open the section for your platform.

<details>

<summary>Windows® PC</summary>

* Connect the Zen to your PC using the **CONSOLE/PC USB** port only
* Disconnect the **PROG USB** cable before you start a game — leaving it connected while playing can cause problems

</details>

<details>

<summary>Xbox Series X|S®</summary>

**Matched** — Xbox® controller on an Xbox® console:

1. Connect the Zen to the console with the **CONSOLE/PC USB** cable
2. Connect the controller to the Zen's **A1** port — after a few seconds it powers on and syncs
3. Check in-game that all buttons work

**Crossover** — a controller from another platform on your Xbox®:

| Port   | Controller                                                                         |
| ------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **A1** | The controller that matches the console — the **authentication (AUTH) controller** |
| **A3** | The controller you actually want to play with                                      |

The AUTH controller must stay connected the whole time you use the crossover controller.

**Controller not connecting?** [Follow the fix](/supported-devices/xboxseriesxs/connection-issues-fix.md)

</details>

<details>

<summary>PlayStation®5</summary>

There are two ways to use the Cronus Zen™ on a PlayStation®5 — [**Zen Link™**](/zen-link/what-is-zen-link.md) and the **Bypass**.

{% hint style="success" %}
**We strongly recommend Zen Link™.** It is a one-time setup, while the bypass is a manual procedure that has to be repeated.
{% endhint %}

Zen Link™ is a Wi-Fi expansion module for the Cronus Zen™, sold separately. What it gives you:

* **PS5® Native Mode** — Play all PS5® games natively, without a secondary PC or a complex Remote Play setup
* **Full game compatibility** — Works with all PS5® titles, including those that previously required a specialized controller or Remote Play
* **Ultra-low latency** — A direct native connection ensures the fastest possible response times for competitive gaming
* **Wireless configuration** — Install and configure GAMEPACKS from your smartphone over Wi-Fi, with no PC involved
* **Plug and play** — Once configured, the connection is handled automatically by the Zen Link™ hardware

**Setting up Zen Link™?** Check which [model](/zen-link/model-check.md) you have, then follow the [setup](/zen-link/setup.md)

**No Zen Link™?** Follow the [bypass](/supported-devices/ps5/ps5bypass.md) instead

</details>

***

### Step 8 — Test it

Your Zen is connected, your controller is connected. Now check that your inputs actually reach the console.

{% stepper %}
{% step %}
**Look at the console screen, not at the Zen**

<sub>The Zen can show a slot on its OLED while the console still ignores everything — the console is what counts</sub>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Move the left stick in the console menu**

<sub>The selection should move immediately</sub>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Press the button that confirms and the button that goes back**

<sub>If both work, the connection is fine</sub>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}
**Start a game and check every input**

<sub>Both sticks, all face buttons, D-pad, bumpers, triggers</sub>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

{% hint style="danger" %}
**Nothing responds at all?**

* The controller is in the wrong port — the controller that matches your console belongs in **A1**

Still nothing? [**Ask our support team on Discord**](/official-discord-server/discord-server.md) — we are happy to help.
{% endhint %}


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