Castle Link

Take control of your ride! Castle Link is our very own software developed by Castle engineers that allow you to control your ESC. You can easily customize your ESC settings, fine-tune your performance, update firmware, and access valuable data from your Castle ESC. Castle Link puts the control in your hands. 

Let's Get Started
1. Download Castle Link:
2. Once installed, plug your Castle Link Adapter into the receiver lead on your controller and connect the appropriate USB cable into your PC.
3. Open Castle Link on your PC and enjoy!

System Requirements

To program Castle Link, you will need a Castle Link Adapter, a Windows computer, and the appropriate Castle Link software installed on your PC.

We offer two versions of the Castle Link software: Castle Link Classic (our original software that is not compatible with most newer products) and Castle Link 2.0 (compatible with Windows 10 and 11).

Castle Link 2 features a modern interface, streamlined navigation, and a smaller installation footprint. It supports all ESCs, CC BECs, and accessories. It also supports the Castle Link USB Adapter V4 and Castle Link V3 Adapter.

Notice to Users
Notice to Windows 10 and 11 Users

During installation you may receive a pop-up warning stating "Windows protected your PC". On this screen, click "More Info", then click "Run anyway". The installation should proceed normally from there. We are working with Microsoft to resolve this issue and apologize for the inconvenience and your patience.
Notice to Mac Users

Mac users may take advantage of software such as Parallels Desktop, VMWARE Fusion, or Apple's Boot Camp along with Windows to run the Castle Link software, provided the Max has an Intel processor. Mac installation is not supported by Castle Creations.

Notice to Phoenix Edge HV Users

1. Connect Castle Link USB device to Windows PC running Castle Link Application. Ensure USB link is detected. Green “Light” on interface screen will confirm USB connection.

2. Plug the HV controller into the Castle Link using the ESC throttle connector.

3. Connect power to the main ESC battery leads. Any pack of 4s to 12S will be sufficient for this purpose. The ESC will not link if connected out of order .
Notice to Mamba XLX/2 and Cobra 5/HV Users

YOU MUST disconnect the AUX wire from your radio before connecting to Castle Link. Failure to do so may result in damage to your Castle Link and/or computer.

Castle Link Software

Cobra Firmware

Copperhead Firmware

Hydra Firmware

Mamba Firmware

Phoenix Firmware

Sidewinder Firmware

Talon Firmware

Shop by:
Motors

Motors

ESCs

ESCs

Voltage Regulators (BECs)

Voltage Regulators (BECs)

All Accessories

All Accessories

Castle Link FAQs
How do I tell if my original Phoenix controller is compatible with the Castle Link USB device?

Your Phoenix controller must have software version dated August 2003 or later to have the necessary interfaces to the PHX-Link.  If your controller has the Soft Start programmable feature then you have a PHX-Link compatible controller.  If your controller is not August 2003 or later revision then you will need to send your product to our factory for an upgrade to a current version of the controller if you wish to have a Castle Link capable device.
What versions of Windows can I use with the Castle Link?

The Castle Link is currently supported on Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and 11.
Can I use the Castle Link on my Castle Creations brushed airplane Controllers?

No, the microprocessors used on the Castle Creations brushed controllers are not capable of connecting to the Castle Link.
Will the Castle Link work on a Macintosh computer?

Sort of. Mac users may take advantage of software such as Parallels Desktop, VMware Fusion, or Apple's Boot Camp along with Windows Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10 and 11 to run the Castle Link software provided the Macintosh has an Intel processor.* Note: Macintosh installation is not supported by Castle Creations.

*Parallel's Desktop, VMware Fusion, and Apple's Boot Camp require a copy of Windows.
Why do you keep updating the software for my controllers? Can't you just get it right once and for all?

With software updates you can apply new features to your ESC without having to buy a new controller or sending it in. We don't believe in planned obsolescence. We are one of the few hi-tech companies that will admit there is no such thing as perfect software. While our code is not perfect, it is better than most and we keep improving it. Also, the motor landscape (brands and types) changes radically every six months or so with new designs, sizes, and requirements for each. We can react quickly to those trends (usually before they come out to the public) and keep every controller up-to-date and ready to drive any motor – regardless of when the controller was made.
I notice some of the Castle Link software on your website is labeled "Beta". What does this mean?

We thoroughly test software updates before we release them but there is no way we can test every possible system configuration. A beta release comes with a questionnaire and several follow up e-mails so we can get feedback from beta testers on how the software performs. With this feedback we can fix bugs or other problems before the software in installed on our production ESCs. If you are curious about beta software, but are leery of becoming a tester, rest assured, all beta releases have the ability to be turned back into the last stable release
I have a green USB connection status, but when I plug in my ESC/BEC it does not connect. What is wrong?

Check to make sure you have the ESC/BEC plugged into the Castle Link correctly. On the Castle Link there are 3 prongs sticking out. Behind the prongs there are symbols. A Ω, a +, and a – symbol. The orange wire on our ESC/BEC goes to the Ω, the red goes to the +, and the brown wire goes to the -. If you plug your ESC in and it still does not make the connection try plugging your battery pack into the ESC for supplemental voltage (required for HV ESCs).
When I plug my high voltage (HV) controller into the Castle Link it does not connect. Why?

The HV controllers are opto isolated which stops all current between your receiver and the speed controller during normal operation. Because of this, power between your computer and the controller is also interrupted. As such, you must supply power to the processor from an outside source. The processor on the HV controllers requires at least 16 volts (equivalent to a charged 4s LiPo or 12 cell NiMH pack) to boot up. Be sure to plug the controller into the link first with the program open, then plug the pack in. It will not work the other way around.
I know I have to plug a battery pack into my high voltage (HV) controller to get it to connect to Castle Link, but it’s still not working. Why?

First, ensure that the pack you are plugging in is higher than 16 volts, and that your “USB connection status” box in the lower left hand corner of the Castle Link screen is green*. Plug the controller into the Castle Link, and then plug your battery pack into the controller. It will not work the other way around (battery then link). If it is still not connecting, try removing the Castle Link chip (printed circuit board) at the end of the Castle Link, plug it back in, and repeat the process. If none of this works please contact tech support.

*If your “USB connection status” box is red, please skip down to the driver installation question on the FAQ page to resolve it.
My “USB connection status” box on my Castle Link screen is red. Why is that, and how do I get it to turn green?

The first thing to check is that your USB cable is capable of data transfer and is not merely a charging cable. Try a different USB cable and see if it resolves the issue. You might also try a different USB port on the computer. These two easy fixes resolve a majority of connectivity issues.

 For 32 bit operating systems

The Castle Link installation program usually installs the Castle Link driver with no problem. However, if something happens during the driver installation that prevents driver installation Windows does not give you another chance. The following directions will help you install the Castle Link driver manually.

  1. Click on Start
  2. Click Control Panel
  3. Click on System
  4. Click on the hardware tab
  5. Click Device Manager
  6. Find “Phx link” or “Phoenix link” on the list that comes up and double click on it
  7. Click on re-install driver or update driver (whichever your computer states)
  8. You want to let windows search for the driver so select “yes, this time only”, and “install this software automatically” - it will find it on the internet and download it for you
  9. Click finish when done and you should be good to go
  10.  

For 64 bit operating systems (nearly all modern computers)

If you are running a 64 bit operating system the above steps will not work. 64 bit operating systems already have the necessary drivers. We have changed from a driver that we produced to a standard Windows driver called a “Human Interface Device” or HID. The Castle Link program cannot update the driver on the Castle Link chip on a 64 bit computer.

 Additional notes

If it has been MANY years since you have used your Castle Link/Phx Link and you wish to use it with a modern PC, you will need to connect the Castle Link adapter chip to a 32 bit operating system to allow the chip to update to a HID. Most Windows XP and some Windows Vista machines are 32 bit; nearly all Windows 7 machines are 64 bit. A specific version of Castle Link is also needed. Please contact our technical support department if you require this version. We will be happy to send it to you, and let you know how to complete the update process. You may also send your Castle Link/Phx Link to us for a free update. We keep an old XP PC handy for just such occasions.
 I'm having trouble installing Castle Link on my computer. I start the program and connect the USB, then hardware wizard starts to install new device and at that point computer locks up, no keyboard or mouse control and I must do a forced shut down to get the computer functioning again. It locks up on the file CydLib.sys to C/windows/system32/drivers. What should I do?

If you're using Trend Micro you may have issues if you've updated recently. To get the Castle Link software working, disconnect your computer from internet, turn off Trend Micro, install the software, turn on Trend Micro, restart computer, and then re-connect to the internet.
My Castle Link shows the driver is installed properly, but it still won't connect to my ESC. What else could it be?

It has come to our attention that the West Mountain CBA can cause issues with the Castle Link USB programmer as they both load as a Human Interface Device (HID). Be sure to unplug the CBA when programming Castle Creations products via the Castle Link.