[Xperia Z5 Compact General] MattyCurrann:
Over the past couple of days, I have been experiencing various issues with flashtool. Using the internets help and many hours of my time I managed to fix most of these problems that occurred for me. Although there are hundreds of Flashtool step by step instructions, I thought it would be best for an updated and more in depth on what you should be aware of first before clicking "Flash".

Firstly, I do not take responsibility for any device broken or damaged since there is ALWAYS a minute chance of your device bricking.

Lets start, shall we?

Things Needed

Z5 Compact ;)

Original Cable (or any cable actually that is working and can transfer files)

Flashtool 0.9.22.3

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact Stock Rom

Okay to start off.. Yes, this should work with other phones however I am not providing the stock roms for those, it takes a simple google search to find them ie. "Sony Xperia Z5 Stock Rom ftf"

You don't need the latest stock rom either since you can update once the phone is setup depending on if you have access to OTA updates (Over the Air).

Step 1.

Download flashtool if you haven't already. If you have an older version of flashtool, uninstall it and make sure all old files are gone for good and also be sure the new one is fully installed. I prefer to use the magnet link on the website (for torrents) since using uploaded.net takes forever.

Step 2a.

If you're on Windows 8/8.1/10 then please take note to this specific paragraph, any other OS skip to 2b Windows 8/8.1 like to have its security tight, so they block you from installing drivers with unsigned certificates to "keep your computer from harm" but just go ahead and follow the instructions to allow your computer install these drivers. If the drivers aren't installed correctly, then you won't be flashing anything today :p Okay, go to Settings>General and then click on 'Restart Now' under 'Advanced Startup'.

This will restart your PC. It will then take you to a screen that gives you various options. On Windows 8 you will see 'Troubleshoot' and on Windows 8.1 you will see 'Start-up Settings'. Select either that appears. This will take you to another page that will ask to restart windows in order to use some advanced startup features, just click 'Restart'. If it already takes you to the page without restart, or if your computer just restarted and you're getting the options of what to select, make sure you select 'Disable driver signature enforcement'.

Your computer should now restart with driver signature enforcement disabled. Now, go ahead and carry on with the instructions in 2b!

Step 2b.

Navigate to the 'drivers' folder where you installed Flashtool. If you cant remember where you installed it, the default directory should be in "C:\Flashtool". Open 'Flashtool-drivers.exe' and install:

Flashmode Drivers

Fastboot Drivers

Z5 Compact Device Driver (Or whatever your device is)

Now we have successfully installed the drivers for flashtool and our device! :D

Step 3.

Find the stock rom you downloaded, copy and paste it into your firmwares folder in flashtool. For me, this is in "C:\Users\Matty\.flashTool\firmwares". People have been saying to delete the folders inside the firmwares folder, do not do this as the flash might not work.

Step 4.

Note

If you're running 64bit, I recommend you to not use Flashtool64.exe at first, just use the standard 'Flashtool.exe'. If you dont get an icon on your desktop from the setup, just navigate to the folder in the directory you installed it in, then right click and click send to desktop so you can access it easy :)

Step 5.

Open Flashtool from your newly created shortcut on your desktop. Click the Flash icon, then click Flashmode, then hit Ok. Click your Firmware on the left to start off with. You might have to hit the firmware dropdown until it gets to the actual firmware like so:

If you want to remove all your data, where it says Wipe, hit all the boxes. (APPS_LOG, DIAG, SSD, USERDATA). Then click Flash. You will now see "Preparing files for flashing" on your screen. Be very patient, and in the meantime, turn your phone off ready to enter Flashmode. Make sure your phone is switched off and NOT plugged.

When you see this box come up on your computer, It's probably time to connect the USB to your computer, and enter flashmode on your phone.

Plug the USB into your computer

(TRY USB 2.0 FIRST, SOME REASON NO USB 3.0 PORT WORKED FOR ME+MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAD PROBLEMS WITH USB 3.0 I.E loader.sin errors)

Entering Flash Mode

Hold the Volume Down button and plug the USB cable from your computer into your phone. You should hear the Windows noise it makes to say the device is connected to the PC. If any extra drivers are needed to complete the flash it could take longer for the flash to start. You should then see a constant green light in the top right of your device, gently put it somewhere without unplugging the charger and let Flashtool do the hard work :)

Step 6.

Leave the device for no longer than 30 minutes. However, if you're unsure be safe and leave it for a full hour, go out have a nice brew, do a tap and dance and come back and it should be done. The only reason it would get stuck is because you unplugged the phone during the Flash, or if the cable somewhat died throughout the operation. If so, repeat the instructions in hope your device will be as good as new :)

Flashtool will now let you know when it is done. It will say "Flashing finished, please uplug and start your phone."

If it says that, hooray! You have successfully flashed your phone with stock rom!

If not and you get an error before it even wants to flash, or throughout the process you get an error, post it below and I'll take a look. I'm not very good but I know quite a few errors.

END OF TUTORIAL :)

I just thought I'd help the community out in a way that I can, since I'm bad at like everything else lol.

Peace folks :highfive: :cyclops: