ESP32-S Cam Failure to upload sketch

Development Tools Uploading
1

Hello All - I've been trying this for 3 days, and getting no where.

I have an ESP32-S Cam that I bought, and have the FTDI adaptor and female jumper cables set up. The failure comes when trying to upload the sketch at all, and I receive the following error message
"A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: No serial data received."

I've scoured this topic and the resolutions don't seem to work for me. I've verified that the Port is recognized by 1) my computer and 2) I can see it in Arduino IDE 2.1.0.
- noting that while my computer can see the device, it is listed as "USB Serial Port (COM 3)"
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I've tried pressing reset on the cam as it uploads (which seems to be the common resolution to the issue) however this does nothing.

I've toggled between the 3.3 and 5v - and again, have verified that the jumper cables are all placed appropriately.

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Any assistance would be appreciated!!!!!!!!

2

I found this introductory tutorial to be helpful: ESP32-CAM - Getting Started & Solving Common Problems

3

Thanks @jremington - I've used that tutorial (and many others) to no avail... the issue is getting the sketch to upload

4

No serial data -> suspect wiring problems. Wrong connections, failed jumper cables, poorly soldered header pins, etc.

Post clear, focused, close up photos of your setup.

Please post a link to the product page for this thing: ESP32-S Cam

Perhaps it is something completely different than assumed by the tutorials you have been studying.

5

I think you have to ground the GPIO0 pin AND press reset to start the bootloader.

6

Indeed you do.

The ESP32CAM is an ESP32 after all.

7

I do wonder what the OP's "ESP32-S Cam" might be.

8

I believe that's the setup I have here - images below.

Link to the product https://www.microcenter.com/product/632692/inland-esp32-cam-wifi-bluetooth-camera-modules-pair

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9

Please replace the side views of the camera module with front and back views, so that we can clearly see the soldering, pin and jumper placement.

Also, please post a complete, hand drawn wiring diagram.

10

The wiring looks correct to me.

If you set Serial Monitor to 115200 baud, do you get something like this when you press the reset button?

08:43:26.927 -> ets Jun 8 2016 00:22:57
08:43:26.927 ->
08:43:26.927 -> rst:0x1 (POWERON_RESET),boot:0x3 (DOWNLOAD_BOOT(UART0/UART1/SDIO_REI_REO_V2))
08:43:26.927 -> waiting for download
11

I do not - but at this point, the point is moot. I appreciate the willingness to be informative and help me troubleshoot.

I ended up buying the ESP32 cam MB board, as soon as i plugged in the device to the USB port oddly 1) the port changed but 2) it immediately took the code without issue.

Thanks again for your help!

12

Hello Bbow987, I am facing a similar issue with ESP32-S. Did you manage to solve the issue?
I would be glad to hear from.

13

Are you facing problem to upload sketch in your 30-pin ESP32 Classic Board?

14

Yes, I have an ESP32-S CAM but It has no AI thinker or Expressif written on it. I am using board "AI thinker ESP32 CAM" in Arduino and below is the output displayed.

Sketch uses 1506929 bytes (47%) of program storage space. Maximum is 3145728 bytes.
Global variables use 70220 bytes (21%) of dynamic memory, leaving 257460 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 327680 bytes.
esptool.py v4.5.1
Serial port COM14
Connecting......................................

A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: No serial data received.
For troubleshooting steps visit: Troubleshooting - ESP32 - — esptool.py latest documentation
the selected serial port For troubleshooting steps visit: Troubleshooting - ESP32 - — esptool.py latest documentation
does not exist or your board is not connected

Thank you in advance.

15

If you are owning the following ESP32-CAM Module (Fig-1), then you can use the ESP32-CAM-MB adapter (Fig-2) for guranteed uploading of your sketch.
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Figure-1:

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Figure-2:

16

Thank you, will purchase one and see the result.

17

Good luck!

You may visit this thread to see the problems I faced to program ESP32-CAM Module and then ESP32-CAM-MB adapter came as a rescuer.

18

Hello,
I purchased the ESP32-CAM-MB adapter (Fig-2) but I still have the same error (A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: No serial data received.)

Please let me know on the following;
-Which Board are you using? I have used several but recommended was ESP32 Dev Module or ESP32 Wrover Module
-Which camera model are you leaving not commented in Arduino IDE?
I am using #define CAMERA_MODEL_AI_THINKER // Has PSRAM
-Are you pressing the reset button before uploading? If not, when?

Thank you for the continued support. Waiting to hear from you!

19

1. Engage the CAM Board on the top of MB adapter Borad.
2. Connect te MB adapter Board with PC using USB cable.
3. Check that RED LED (power indicator) on MB adapter oard ins ON.
4. Select AT Thinker ESP-CAM Board
5. Select the correct COM Port. If needed, browse through the Device Manager for the assigned COM Port.
6. Uplod the following blinking sketch. There is no need to activate IO0 of RST Buttons on the MB adatre board.

#define RLED 33//onboard RedLED

void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(115200);
  pinMode(RLED, OUTPUT);
}

void loop()
{
  digitalWrite(RLED, HIGH);
  delay(1000);
  digitalWrite(RLED, LOW);
  delay(1000);
}

7. Look at the other side of the CAM board to observe that the onboard tiny RED LED blinks at 1-sec interval.

8. After uploading command, you may try by pressing the IO0 button on the MB adapter board.

20
  1. Engage the CAM Board on the top of MB adapter Board. OK
  2. Connect the MB adapter Board with PC using USB cable. OK
  3. Check that RED LED (power indicator) on MB adapter board ins ON. OK
    4.Select AT Thinker ESP-CAM Board OK
    5.Select the correct COM Port. If needed, browse through the Device Manager for the assigned COM Port. OK
    6.Uplod the following blinking sketch. There is no need to activate IO0 of RST Buttons on the MB adapter board. OK

I have tested my COM port using arduino uno board and they function properly.
After uploading the blinking sketch, I had the same error as before (A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: No serial data received.)