Direct USB Gadget Mode on Raspberry Pi Zero: Soldering + Setup Guide

Want your Raspberry Pi Zero, Zero W, or Zero 2 W to show up as a USB Ethernet device when plugged into a PC? You can do it by soldering a USB-A connector directly to the test points and configuring gadget mode. This turns your Pi into a USB device using USB OTG (On-The-Go) — ideal for serial access, remote networking, and headless setup.

✅ Soldering the USB-A Connector (Gadget Mode)

You'll be connecting the USB-A male plug directly to these test points on the Pi:

⚠️ These test points connect to the Pi’s USB OTG port — when soldered and configured, the Pi will act as a USB device, not a host.

🔧 Enabling USB Ethernet Gadget Mode

After soldering, you'll need to configure the boot partition of your Pi’s SD card:

1. config.txt

Add this to the bottom of /boot/config.txt:

dtoverlay=dwc2

2. cmdline.txt

Edit /boot/cmdline.txt and add this after rootwait (must stay on one line):

... rootwait modules-load=dwc2,g_ether ...

✅ When Connected to a Host

• The Pi will appear as a USB Ethernet adapter.
• You can assign a static IP or use DHCP.
• Common default Pi IP: 192.168.7.2
• Hostname: raspberrypi.local (via mDNS)

🛠️ Pro Tips

• Use a short USB-A plug or cannibalized cable — shrink wrap or hot glue for strain relief.
• Great for headless setups — no serial, no micro-USB hub needed.
• You can still use the micro-USB power port for power only if OTG is wired separately.

Triple “5” Farms Tech Division – Fewer cables, more capabilities.