Cascading issues trying to work with Nano ESP32

Using Arduino IDE 1.x
1

Just took delivery of an Arduino Nano ESP32. Prior to delivery I installed the board in Board Manager (v2.0.13) built my sketch and compiled for the board so I was ready when it arrived. I've been using various Arduino boards for years, this one has me stumped. Below is the history of my cascading issues as best as I can reconstruct them:

When I arriveed I connected the Nano ESP32. Drivers loaded and it appeared on COM20. Compiled and uploaded my sketch which was supposed to output information to the Serial Monitor. It didn't and I noticed that I had a mismatch on the port speed (Serial.begin vs monitor). So I changed the Serial.begin speed and tried to reflash my sketch.

At this point I started getting DFU errors, COM port doesn't exist (don't remember the exact error and should have written it down). Tried resetting the board, various combinations on the RESET button, unplugging/replugging. No help. Tried flashing BLINK - same error.

So I exited the IDE, unplugged the board and tried to start over. No more Nano ESP32 in the board list!

I installed the latest Nano ESP32 (9/30/2024 version). Replugged the board, opened the IDE and the original COM20 port didn't show. Selected Nano ESP32 but it would not compile for the Nano ESP32. Uninstalled the board in board manager and reinstalled the original version I was using 2.0.13 figuring maybe there was an issue with a version only 1 day old.

The board still doesn't come up where it used to on COM20. When I compile (9/30 version and 2.0.13 version) I get the following errors:

Board nano_nora (platform esp32, package arduino) is unknown

Error compiling for board Arduino Nano ESP32.

Also tried rebooting the computer (just in case), no joy.

Also, I went through the steps to reset the bootloader, but when using Upload using Programmer it still needs to compile the blink sketch and still gets the same "nano nora" error.

Can anyone help to get me back to where (1) I can compile for the board again, (2) get the board to come up on a COM port, and (3) I can upload a sketch again?

Thanks.

2

Lot's of issues re that board. Search the forum on NANO ESP32 and look for detailed instructions from one of the Arduino guys.

3

Have a look at the Arduino NANO ESP32 Cheat Sheet.
https://docs.arduino.cc/tutorials/nano-esp32/cheat-sheet/

4

At this point I can't even compile the Blink sketch (board connected or board not connected) without getting this error:

Board nano_nora (platform esp32, package arduino) is unknown

Error compiling for board Arduino Nano ESP32.

I think if someone can get me past that, I can restore the board using instructions in the above article or reset bootloader. But all of that requires that I be able to compile.

5

Have you done the double reset to put you into bootloader mode?

6

I have a new page about connection issues here

the apps listed may help check your connection

7

At this point I can't even compile like I could before with the device not connected.

8

Show me the entire verbose compile log in code tags

9

That message strikes me as somewhat odd. The FQBN for the Nano Esp32 is esp32:esp32:nano_nora. Shouldn't both the platform and package then both be esp32?

10

Hi @IraSch. Is there a specific reason you are using Arduino IDE 1.x?

I ask because the bug is specific to Arduino IDE 1.x, so you can avoid it by switching to using Arduino IDE 2.x. You can get Arduino IDE 2.x from the download links listed here:

11

I have a lot of projects that use various different boards and ages (Uno, Nano, Nano 33, ESP32 (Adafruit), ESP8266, MKR1000, MKR1010, etc. Concerned that if I go to 2.x, it might break my ability to do updates to one of the older projects. I'm guessing that the upgrade might also upgrade certain libraries causing a similar legacy issue.

Before the Arduino Nano ESP32 board choice mysteriously vanished and I had to install/uninstall/install the board software, I was able to compile just fine (even without a board connected) back then. Is this a hard stop or is there a fix to the compile error messages I'm getting.

12

I turned on verbose for compile and upload, also set warnings to all, and this is what I get:

Arduino: 1.8.9 (Windows 10), Board: "Arduino Nano ESP32"

C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\arduino-builder -dump-prefs -logger=machine -hardware C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware -hardware C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages -tools C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\tools-builder -tools C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr -tools C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages -built-in-libraries C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\libraries -libraries C:\Users\Ira\Documents\Arduino\libraries -fqbn=arduino:esp32:nano_nora -vid-pid=0X2341_0X0070 -ide-version=10809 -build-path C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino_build_620534 -warnings=all -build-cache C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino_cache_472518 -prefs=build.warn_data_percentage=75 -prefs=runtime.tools.xtensa-esp32s2-elf-gcc.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\xtensa-esp32s2-elf-gcc\esp-2021r2-patch5-8.4.0 -prefs=runtime.tools.xtensa-esp32s2-elf-gcc-esp-2021r2-patch5-8.4.0.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\xtensa-esp32s2-elf-gcc\esp-2021r2-patch5-8.4.0 -prefs=runtime.tools.esptool_py.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\esptool_py\4.5.1 -prefs=runtime.tools.esptool_py-4.5.1.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\esptool_py\4.5.1 -prefs=runtime.tools.riscv32-esp-elf-gcc.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\riscv32-esp-elf-gcc\esp-2021r2-patch5-8.4.0 -prefs=runtime.tools.riscv32-esp-elf-gcc-esp-2021r2-patch5-8.4.0.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\riscv32-esp-elf-gcc\esp-2021r2-patch5-8.4.0 -prefs=runtime.tools.xtensa-esp-elf-gdb.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\xtensa-esp-elf-gdb\11.2_20220823 -prefs=runtime.tools.xtensa-esp-elf-gdb-11.2_20220823.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\xtensa-esp-elf-gdb\11.2_20220823 -prefs=runtime.tools.dfu-util.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\arduino\tools\dfu-util\0.11.0-arduino5 -prefs=runtime.tools.dfu-util-0.11.0-arduino5.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\arduino\tools\dfu-util\0.11.0-arduino5 -prefs=runtime.tools.riscv32-esp-elf-gdb.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\riscv32-esp-elf-gdb\11.2_20220823 -prefs=runtime.tools.riscv32-esp-elf-gdb-11.2_20220823.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\riscv32-esp-elf-gdb\11.2_20220823 -prefs=runtime.tools.xtensa-esp32s3-elf-gcc.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\xtensa-esp32s3-elf-gcc\esp-2021r2-patch5-8.4.0 -prefs=runtime.tools.xtensa-esp32s3-elf-gcc-esp-2021r2-patch5-8.4.0.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\xtensa-esp32s3-elf-gcc\esp-2021r2-patch5-8.4.0 -prefs=runtime.tools.mklittlefs.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\mklittlefs\3.0.0-gnu12-dc7f933 -prefs=runtime.tools.mklittlefs-3.0.0-gnu12-dc7f933.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\mklittlefs\3.0.0-gnu12-dc7f933 -prefs=runtime.tools.mkspiffs.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\mkspiffs\0.2.3 -prefs=runtime.tools.mkspiffs-0.2.3.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\mkspiffs\0.2.3 -prefs=runtime.tools.xtensa-esp32-elf-gcc.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\xtensa-esp32-elf-gcc\esp-2021r2-patch5-8.4.0 -prefs=runtime.tools.xtensa-esp32-elf-gcc-esp-2021r2-patch5-8.4.0.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\xtensa-esp32-elf-gcc\esp-2021r2-patch5-8.4.0 -prefs=runtime.tools.openocd-esp32.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\openocd-esp32\v0.11.0-esp32-20221026 -prefs=runtime.tools.openocd-esp32-v0.11.0-esp32-20221026.path=C:\Users\Ira\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\tools\openocd-esp32\v0.11.0-esp32-20221026 -verbose C:\Users\Ira\Desktop\Blink\Blink.ino

Board nano_nora (platform esp32, package arduino) is unknown

Error compiling for board Arduino Nano ESP32.

This report would have more information with
"Show verbose output during compilation"
option enabled in File -> Preferences.
13

Let's make sure of a couple of things. You have a Win 11 pc, Arduino IDE 2.3.3, and your additional boards have only the following (temporarily remove any others)
Select a normal NANO and try the blink sketch, no board, just do a verify. IF that fails show me the verbose output, if it worked let me know.

14

I believe you did turn on Verbose, so why then is this in the output?

Screenshot 2024-10-01 at 15.21.03
Screenshot 2024-10-01 at 15.21.03922×182 17.1 KB

You can have both IDE 1 and IDE 2 installed at the same time as I do.
Remember an IDE is just a fancy shell, the real compiler is still the good old command line we know and love. You can even use PlatformIO and several other IDE's, they have no affect on your sketches.

15

Can you explain this a bit more? How did you install, show me the actual file, and did you

16

I have removed the additional boards URL from both my IDE 1 and IDE 2. Everything still works. I then went into the boards manager and searched for NANO ESP32 I selected Ver 2.0.18 and installed.
I have seen two versions of the NANO ESP32, both seem to work but why two.
BUT BUT BUT I never see the compile errors you are seeing. I think you have a messed up installation, you may need to slowly strip it down as I am doing then do a full install. Wait until I have finished, just in case I find something.

17

If I am reading your log output correctly, you are 10 versions behind for IDE1, upgrade that to 1.8.19. The error is right there,

Screenshot 2024-10-01 at 15.57.51
Screenshot 2024-10-01 at 15.57.511248×136 10.3 KB

You do NOT have the ARDUINO ESP32 board defined!!!!!!!
Fix that and then let's see.
If you know where your Arduino15 directory is (I am Mac and it's different) then go there and show me the following screen grab, that is one beyond Arduino15
Now do a Tools/Boards screen grab like the following (2nd pic)
Screenshot 2024-10-01 at 15.51.00
Screenshot 2024-10-01 at 15.51.002036×172 50.2 KB

Screenshot 2024-10-01 at 15.53.12
Screenshot 2024-10-01 at 15.53.121782×972 163 KB

18

Let me try to answer these questions. First, the screen prints:

image
image1369×928 83.1 KB

image
image2560×1440 207 KB

What's even more strange is that prior to this, I used to have the options for USB Mode, Partition Scheme, Pin Numbering, etc.

I'm using WIndows 10, IDE 1.8.9 (which I will update to 1.8.19)

As far as explaining the mysterious vanishing Nano ESP32 board. When I started getting DFU errors, I exited out of the IDE. When I returned, the Nano ESP32 choice wasn't there! Anywhere! That started the install (9/30 version), uninstall 9/30, and install the previous version which is what I was probably originally working with.

I installed 1.8.19 and now have both 1.8.9 and 1.8.19, but 1.8.19 only shows the default board list. I added Arduino Nano ESP32. I can now compile but not upload. I have ESPTOOL set for Programmer (the only choice), put the device in purple mode (B1-GND, etc), but get the following error when uploading the Blink sketch via Upload using Programmer:

Sketch uses 285869 bytes (9%) of program storage space. Maximum is 3145728 bytes.
Global variables use 30732 bytes (9%) of dynamic memory, leaving 296948 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 327680 bytes.
usage: esptool [-h]
               [--chip {auto,esp8266,esp32,esp32s2,esp32s3beta2,esp32s3,esp32c3,esp32c6beta,esp32h2beta1,esp32h2beta2,esp32c2,esp32c6,esp32h2}]
               [--port PORT] [--baud BAUD]
               [--before {default_reset,usb_reset,no_reset,no_reset_no_sync}]
               [--after {hard_reset,soft_reset,no_reset,no_reset_stub}]
               [--no-stub] [--trace] [--override-vddsdio [{1.8V,1.9V,OFF}]]
               [--connect-attempts CONNECT_ATTEMPTS]
               {load_ram,dump_mem,read_mem,write_mem,write_flash,run,image_info,make_image,elf2image,read_mac,chip_id,flash_id,read_flash_status,write_flash_status,read_flash,verify_flash,erase_flash,erase_region,merge_bin,get_security_info,version}
               ...
esptool: error: argument --baud/-b: invalid arg_auto_int value: '{upload.speed}'
esptool: error: argument --baud/-b: invalid arg_auto_int value: '{upload.speed}'

image
image2560×1440 206 KB

19

You should NOT have both, the newer version installs over top the old version. I have suspected for a little while now you actually have TWO installs which explains the Verbose message. See if you can prove/disprove that theory.
Do you know how to do a full disk scan for filename arduino.exe (if that is the name, I don't know what Windows calls it)
I hope you can see the problem is only your machine, I and tens of thousands of other users are not having your problem. I only say that because sometimes it isn't true, but it's easy to think it is when you are neck deep in the weeds.
I think you have made progress. The NANO ESP32 is a bit different, I see several complaints a day about inability to upload but I have not yet mastered the solution. Try to NOT go backwards from here. Make sure you can compile at least blink for UNO, normal NANO, normal ESP32. If you have the boards then do the uploads so we can check those boxes.
For your first screen grab, click the packages, then the arduino, then the hardware. Now you should see at least avr and esp32, click the esp32 and show me what you see.

20

Try a normal NANO if you have one just to see how wide the damage is.