diff --git a/robot-server/robot_server/hardware.py b/robot-server/robot_server/hardware.py
index 2ccdba30105..83d94b4f4ed 100644
--- a/robot-server/robot_server/hardware.py
+++ b/robot-server/robot_server/hardware.py
@@ -153,11 +153,19 @@ async def start_blinking(self, hardware: HardwareControlAPI) -> None:
         Blinking will continue until `mark_hardware_init_complete()` and
         `mark_persistence_init_complete()` have both been called.
         """
+        if should_use_ot3():
+            # Dont run this task on the Flex because,
+            # 1. There is no front button blinker on the Flex
+            # 2. The Flex raises an error when attempting to turn on the lights
+            #    while there is a system firmware update in progress. This causes
+            #    the hardware controller to fail initialization, leaving the
+            #    robot server in a bad state.
+            return
+
         assert self._hardware_and_task is None, "hardware should only be set once."
 
         async def blink_forever() -> None:
             while True:
-                # This should no-op on a Flex.
                 await hardware.set_lights(button=True)
                 await asyncio.sleep(0.5)
                 await hardware.set_lights(button=False)