Error when programming ESP32-S3-WROOM-1

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi all, apologies if this is the wrong place.

Ive got a custom PCB housing a ESP32-S3-WROOM-1 and im struggling to program it within the IDE (and also VS Code Platform IO). It is a design that has been productionised before and this is a respin with some new IO. But nothing from the programming side has changed.

This is the output i get within the IDE regardless of the setting i put in (When selecting a S3 Micro).

Sketch uses 358307 bytes (27%) of program storage space. Maximum is 1310720 bytes.
Global variables use 39856 bytes (12%) of dynamic memory, leaving 287824 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 327680 bytes.
esptool v5.0.0
Serial port COM5:
Connecting...Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "esptool\__init__.py", line 1179, in _main
  File "esptool\__init__.py", line 1036, in main
  File "esptool\cli_util.py", line 227, in __call__
  File "rich_click\rich_command.py", line 404, in __call__
  File "click\core.py", line 1161, in __call__
  File "rich_click\rich_command.py", line 187, in main
  File "click\core.py", line 1697, in invoke
  File "click\core.py", line 1443, in invoke
  File "click\core.py", line 788, in invoke
  File "click\decorators.py", line 33, in new_func
  File "esptool\__init__.py", line 688, in write_flash_cli
  File "esptool\cmds.py", line 1117, in attach_flash
  File "esptool\loader.py", line 1060, in flash_id
  File "esptool\loader.py", line 1597, in run_spiflash_command
  File "esptool\loader.py", line 875, in read_reg
  File "esptool\loader.py", line 539, in check_command
  File "esptool\loader.py", line 494, in command
  File "esptool\loader.py", line 430, in read
StopIteration

A fatal error occurred: The chip stopped responding.

Connected to ESP32-S3 on COM5:
Chip type:          ESP32-S3 (QFN56) (revision v0.2)
Features:           Wi-Fi, BT 5 (LE), Dual Core + LP Core, 240MHz
Crystal frequency:  40MHz
USB mode:           USB-Serial/JTAG
MAC:                50:78:7d:02:09:a8

Uploading stub flasher...
Running stub flasher...
Stub flasher running.

Hard resetting via RTS pin...
Failed uploading: uploading error: exit status 2

There is no UART bridge on the board, i have put them in USB CDC mode, nothing. And the micro is currently in the first time Download mode. But nothing currently.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

2

No, it’s a good place.

Tells us nothing. Did You make a prototype test using breadbord or similar to make sure the wiring is good?

Sounds like using the software beyound the limits.

3

Posting an annotated schematic may help us help you. Without it we are just guessing.

4

Sadly I'm unable to share the schematics as they're a customers not mine.

This is a second phase of a design that has previously worked with some 'Tweaks' now, ive never seen the prototypes this was handed to me as i took it over - Nothings ever as simple as it first seems.

Looking at the data sheet, the strapping pins are 0 and 46, ive seen a lot of people talking about GPIO 12 but this doesnt appear to be the case here. Looking between this schematic and the old one, ive noticed that something has been placed on 46 and the old one did not, so, im wondering if theres any impact there. Its driving an RGB LED with a 470 Ohm resistor. but seems previously it was left floating.

5

ive just noticed the data sheet mentions IO3 as a strapping pin as well, in the previous design this was left disconnected/floating, in the current design it is pulled high permanently. Could this be the route cause of the issue?

I can within platform IO as it currently sits erase the micro, but i get an MD5 error when i program it, i now get fatal error occurred: Write failed, the written flash region is empty within the IDE.

Any advice welcomed, im a bit at a loss right now

6

@embedded27
Try a slower upload speed.

7

I've managed to solve the issue. Bootstrapping pins.. pin 45 is pulled high making flashing voltage 1.8. Causing error.

I blew the e fuses, setting voltage to 3.3. Programs fine. Thanks everyone for advice