How to Set Up Your Solo Miner: A Step-by-Step Guide

Setting up a solo miner like the NerdQaxe++ or NerdOctaxe takes about 10 minutes. This guide walks you through every step from unboxing to mining your first hashes.

What You Need Before Starting

• Your miner (NerdQaxe++, NerdOctaxe, or similar)
• Power supply (included with most miners, or 12V for NerdOctaxe)
• A Bitcoin wallet address (hardware wallet, mobile wallet, or exchange address)
• 2.4GHz WiFi network (5GHz won't work)
• Smartphone or computer for configuration

Step 1: Power Up

Connect your miner to its power supply and plug it in. The device will boot up and display information on its screen (if equipped).

Important: Make sure you're using the correct voltage. NerdQaxe++ uses 5V USB-C power. NerdOctaxe requires 12V DC. Using the wrong voltage can damage your device.

Step 2: Connect to the Device WiFi

When first powered on, your miner broadcasts its own WiFi network. Look for a network named something like:

• Bitaxe_XXXX
• NerdAxe_XXXX
• AxeOS_XXXX

Connect to this network using your phone or computer. No password required for initial setup.

Step 3: Access the Configuration Page

Once connected, a configuration page should open automatically. If it doesn't, open a browser and go to: 192.168.4.1

You'll see the AxeOS setup interface.

Step 4: Configure WiFi

Enter your home WiFi credentials:

• SSID: Your WiFi network name (must be 2.4GHz)
• Password: Your WiFi password

Click Save, then Restart. The device will reboot and connect to your home network.

Step 5: Find Your Device IP

After restarting, the miner connects to your home WiFi. You need to find its new IP address:

• Check your router's connected devices list
• Look at the miner's display screen (if it has one)
• Use a network scanner app on your phone

The IP will look something like 192.168.1.XXX

Step 6: Access the Dashboard

Enter the IP address in your browser. You'll see the full AxeOS dashboard showing hashrate, temperature, and configuration options.

Step 7: Configure Your Pool

Navigate to Settings and configure your solo mining pool:

For LuckyHash Pool (0% fee):

• Stratum URL: pool.luckyhash.ca
• Port: 3333

For Public Pool (0% fee):

• Stratum URL: public-pool.io
• Port: 3333

For Solo CKPool (2% fee):

• Stratum URL: solo.ckpool.org
• Port: 3333

Step 8: Enter Your Bitcoin Address

In the Stratum User field, enter your Bitcoin wallet address. This is where any block rewards will be sent. Don't have one yet? Check out our wallet setup guide.

Optionally, add a worker name after your address with a dot separator:

bc1qYourBitcoinAddressHere.nerdqaxe1

The password field can be anything (commonly just x).

Step 9: Save and Start Mining

Click Save and Restart. Your miner will connect to the pool and begin hashing.

The dashboard will show:

• Current hashrate (GH/s or TH/s)
• Chip temperature
• Share submissions
• Pool connection status

Verifying Your Setup

To confirm everything is working:

1. Check that hashrate is stable and matches expected specs
2. Verify shares are being accepted (shown in dashboard)
3. Visit your pool's website and search for your Bitcoin address to see your miner's activity

Tips for Optimal Operation

• Ventilation: Ensure adequate airflow around the device
• Temperature: Keep chip temps below 65°C for longevity
• Stable power: Use a quality power supply to prevent restarts
• Static IP: Consider setting a static IP in your router for easier access

That's it—you're now solo mining Bitcoin. Your miner will run 24/7, submitting hashes and waiting for that one-in-a-billion lucky moment. Want to understand your actual odds? Read our article on understanding your solo mining odds, or check out success stories from miners who beat those odds.