A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: No serial data received

using hiletgo boards
same error whether I push a basic hello world or my super basic web page to it
i have tried doing the typical reset when its connecting by holding the button still doesnt work
I have also had a working prototype that just printed the data to the serial output that worked just fine but now not even the simplest code will push to them.

I have looked through all similar threads and no solution, I can provide my code if that will help anyone, im thinking its possibly because I have a bunch of unused connections that might be interfering but I'm quite new to all this.

First step, control/change your usb cable, it has to be data cable.
Then control that your operating system recognize your board when you connect it.
If not, reinstall your usb-serial driver