[FIXED] DF Player problems

Using Arduino Project Guidance
1

(Some back story if you do not want to read it skip to the next paragraph) I am making an electronic monopoly game with my brother with two Arduinos communicating with I2C. One has the controls and brains the other has NeoPixels for the houses and hotterls and buttons as commands for the houses. I have made almost all of the code but I haven't tested it yet with both Arduinos (fingers crossed it doesn't destroy my brain). Here is the issue the arduino with controls and brains (let's call it Brainduino) has also a DFplayer mini for sound effects (ex. when a player goes to a train station or does a transaction things like that.). When we first started the project I was in "charge" primarily of the electronics and the code. But now I have hit a wall. Mind you when I started my coding knowledge was pretty much toddler-like.
I have added to the dfplayer via a formatted to fat32 small SD card two songs. I am powering it via the 5v output of the arduino since I am still in the testing phase. The TX of the arduino is connected to the RX of the df player via a 1.2kΩ resistor (it was the only one I had lying around and I could make) and the Rx of the arduino is directly wired in. I can play the song by bringing the DF player but when I use the example sketch all I get is this

Unable to begin:
1.Please recheck the connection!
2.Please insert the SD card!

I am using an arduino mega-clone ([Arduino MEGA2560 Pro Embed ATmega2560 16AU Compatible Board CH340G - TESTED | eBay](https://Arduino mega Ebay link)) and I am using pin 16 as tx and 17 as rx.
My code is modified as follows any help would be greatly appreciated. Also, I should mention I am using VS Code and platformio if it makes any difference.

DFPlayer - A Mini MP3 Player For Arduino
 <https://www.dfrobot.com/product-1121.html>
 
 ***************************************************
 This example shows the basic function of library for DFPlayer.
 
 Created 2016-12-07
 By [Angelo qiao](Angelo.qiao@dfrobot.com)
 
 GNU Lesser General Public License.
 See <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/> for details.
 All above must be included in any redistribution
 ****************************************************/

/***********Notice and Trouble shooting***************
 1.Connection and Diagram can be found here
 <https://www.dfrobot.com/wiki/index.php/DFPlayer_Mini_SKU:DFR0299#Connection_Diagram>
 2.This code is tested on Arduino Uno, Leonardo, Mega boards.
 ****************************************************/

#include "Arduino.h"
#include "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"

#if (defined(ARDUINO_AVR_UNO) || defined(ESP8266))   // Using a soft serial port
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
SoftwareSerial softSerial(/*rx =*/17, /*tx =*/16);
#define FPSerial softSerial
#else
#define FPSerial Serial1
#endif

DFRobotDFPlayerMini myDFPlayer;
void printDetail(uint8_t type, int value);

void setup()
{
#if (defined ESP32)
  FPSerial.begin(9600, SERIAL_8N1, /*rx =*/D3, /*tx =*/D2);
#else
  FPSerial.begin(9600);
#endif

  Serial.begin(115200);

  Serial.println();
  Serial.println(F("DFRobot DFPlayer Mini Demo"));
  Serial.println(F("Initializing DFPlayer ... (May take 3~5 seconds)"));
  
  if (!myDFPlayer.begin(FPSerial, /*isACK = */true, /*doReset = */true)) {  //Use serial to communicate with mp3.
    Serial.println(F("Unable to begin:"));
    Serial.println(F("1.Please recheck the connection!"));
    Serial.println(F("2.Please insert the SD card!"));
    while(true){
      delay(0); // Code to compatible with ESP8266 watch dog.
    }
  }
  Serial.println(F("DFPlayer Mini online."));
  
  myDFPlayer.volume(10);  //Set volume value. From 0 to 30
  myDFPlayer.play(1);  //Play the first mp3
}

void loop()
{
  static unsigned long timer = millis();
  
  if (millis() - timer > 3000) {
    timer = millis();
    myDFPlayer.next();  //Play next mp3 every 3 second.
  }
  
  if (myDFPlayer.available()) {
    printDetail(myDFPlayer.readType(), myDFPlayer.read()); //Print the detail message from DFPlayer to handle different errors and states.
  }
}

void printDetail(uint8_t type, int value){
  switch (type) {
    case TimeOut:
      Serial.println(F("Time Out!"));
      break;
    case WrongStack:
      Serial.println(F("Stack Wrong!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerCardInserted:
      Serial.println(F("Card Inserted!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerCardRemoved:
      Serial.println(F("Card Removed!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerCardOnline:
      Serial.println(F("Card Online!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerUSBInserted:
      Serial.println("USB Inserted!");
      break;
    case DFPlayerUSBRemoved:
      Serial.println("USB Removed!");
      break;
    case DFPlayerPlayFinished:
      Serial.print(F("Number:"));
      Serial.print(value);
      Serial.println(F(" Play Finished!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerError:
      Serial.print(F("DFPlayerError:"));
      switch (value) {
        case Busy:
          Serial.println(F("Card not found"));
          break;
        case Sleeping:
          Serial.println(F("Sleeping"));
          break;
        case SerialWrongStack:
          Serial.println(F("Get Wrong Stack"));
          break;
        case CheckSumNotMatch:
          Serial.println(F("Check Sum Not Match"));
          break;
        case FileIndexOut:
          Serial.println(F("File Index Out of Bound"));
          break;
        case FileMismatch:
          Serial.println(F("Cannot Find File"));
          break;
        case Advertise:
          Serial.println(F("In Advertise"));
          break;
        default:
          break;
      }
      break;
    default:
      break;
  }
  
}
2

Hey @ioakeimsogiakas

What is your DFPlayer reference?

Have you renamed your MP3 files like 'title_001', 'title_002', or just '001', '002'...?"

3

I have named them track1 track2 should i rename them?

4

Also where I live it is 12:17 AM so if I don't respond I am not ghosty just sleeping. :slight_smile:

5

Yes, name your files 001, 002, etc.

It will be helpful for you.
https://doc.riot-os.org/group__drivers__dfplayer.html

Where I live it's 11:33 PM :slight_smile:

6

Pins TX 16 and RX 17 - belongs to Serial2 on Mega.
The Serial1 is TX 18 and RX 19

7

Sorry I haven't used software serial before. Where should I define what you said?

8

Your code doesn't use SoftwareSerial.

You just have to change Serial to Serial2 in your code.

9

Oh OK thanks I will try it. So I should remove software serial and instead of mySerial.begin(baudrate) I should have serial2.begin(baudrate)? Sorry for my lack of knowledge... I am just not sure what I should change... (sorry)

10

Again, you don't use a SoftwareSerial.
In the code:

the lines

#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
SoftwareSerial softSerial(/*rx =*/17, /*tx =*/16);

will be used only if your board is Uno or ESP8266.

In your case the board nether Uno nor ESP, so the line

#define FPSerial Serial1

will compiled.
The only you need - to replace the Serial1 to Serial2 in the line.

11

Got it thank you trying it now

12

Still no. I get the same "error"

Unable to begin:
1.Please recheck the connection!
2.Please insert the SD card!

And my code is as follows

/***************************************************
DFPlayer - A Mini MP3 Player For Arduino
 <https://www.dfrobot.com/product-1121.html>
 
 ***************************************************
 This example shows the basic function of library for DFPlayer.
 
 Created 2016-12-07
 By [Angelo qiao](Angelo.qiao@dfrobot.com)
 
 GNU Lesser General Public License.
 See <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/> for details.
 All above must be included in any redistribution
 ****************************************************/

/***********Notice and Trouble shooting***************
 1.Connection and Diagram can be found here
 <https://www.dfrobot.com/wiki/index.php/DFPlayer_Mini_SKU:DFR0299#Connection_Diagram>
 2.This code is tested on Arduino Uno, Leonardo, Mega boards.
 ****************************************************/

#include "Arduino.h"
#include "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"
#define FPSerial Serial2


DFRobotDFPlayerMini myDFPlayer;
void printDetail(uint8_t type, int value);

void setup(){
  FPSerial.begin(9600);
  Serial.begin(115200);

  Serial.println();
  Serial.println(F("DFRobot DFPlayer Mini Demo"));
  Serial.println(F("Initializing DFPlayer ... (May take 3~5 seconds)"));
  
  if (!myDFPlayer.begin(FPSerial, /*isACK = */true, /*doReset = */true)) {  //Use serial to communicate with mp3.
    Serial.println(F("Unable to begin:"));
    Serial.println(F("1.Please recheck the connection!"));
    Serial.println(F("2.Please insert the SD card!"));
    while(true){
      delay(0); // Code to compatible with ESP8266 watch dog.
    }
  }
  Serial.println(F("DFPlayer Mini online."));
  
  myDFPlayer.volume(5);  //Set volume value. From 0 to 30
  myDFPlayer.play(1);  //Play the first mp3
}

void loop()
{
  static unsigned long timer = millis();
  
  if (millis() - timer > 3000) {
    timer = millis();
    myDFPlayer.next();  //Play next mp3 every 3 second.
  }
  
  if (myDFPlayer.available()) {
    printDetail(myDFPlayer.readType(), myDFPlayer.read()); //Print the detail message from DFPlayer to handle different errors and states.
  }
}

void printDetail(uint8_t type, int value){
  switch (type) {
    case TimeOut:
      Serial.println(F("Time Out!"));
      break;
    case WrongStack:
      Serial.println(F("Stack Wrong!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerCardInserted:
      Serial.println(F("Card Inserted!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerCardRemoved:
      Serial.println(F("Card Removed!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerCardOnline:
      Serial.println(F("Card Online!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerUSBInserted:
      Serial.println("USB Inserted!");
      break;
    case DFPlayerUSBRemoved:
      Serial.println("USB Removed!");
      break;
    case DFPlayerPlayFinished:
      Serial.print(F("Number:"));
      Serial.print(value);
      Serial.println(F(" Play Finished!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerError:
      Serial.print(F("DFPlayerError:"));
      switch (value) {
        case Busy:
          Serial.println(F("Card not found"));
          break;
        case Sleeping:
          Serial.println(F("Sleeping"));
          break;
        case SerialWrongStack:
          Serial.println(F("Get Wrong Stack"));
          break;
        case CheckSumNotMatch:
          Serial.println(F("Check Sum Not Match"));
          break;
        case FileIndexOut:
          Serial.println(F("File Index Out of Bound"));
          break;
        case FileMismatch:
          Serial.println(F("Cannot Find File"));
          break;
        case Advertise:
          Serial.println(F("In Advertise"));
          break;
        default:
          break;
      }
      break;
    default:
      break;
  }
  
}
13

declare your serial like

#include <DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h>
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>
SoftwareSerial mySerial(Your RX, Your TX); // RX, TX

and them on your void setup

  mySerial.begin(9600);
  if (!myDFPlayer.begin(mySerial)) {
    Serial.println("DFPlayer Mini cannot be initialized! ");
    while (true);
  }

then on void loop

myDFPlayer.play(tracknumber); // Ensure that your files have been renamed to 001, 002, etc.
14

Using a SoftwareSerial on Mega is a bad advice. There is no point to use a Software Serial on Arduino Mega which has a 3(4) hardware Serial ports

It seems the OP has a problem with connections or SDcard rather than with Serial.

@ioakeimsogiakas
Please show a clear photo of your setup

15

OK
with soft serial removed

/***************************************************
DFPlayer - A Mini MP3 Player For Arduino
 <https://www.dfrobot.com/product-1121.html>
 
 ***************************************************
 This example shows the basic function of library for DFPlayer.
 
 Created 2016-12-07
 By [Angelo qiao](Angelo.qiao@dfrobot.com)
 
 GNU Lesser General Public License.
 See <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/> for details.
 All above must be included in any redistribution
 ****************************************************/

/***********Notice and Trouble shooting***************
 1.Connection and Diagram can be found here
 <https://www.dfrobot.com/wiki/index.php/DFPlayer_Mini_SKU:DFR0299#Connection_Diagram>
 2.This code is tested on Arduino Uno, Leonardo, Mega boards.
 ****************************************************/

#include "Arduino.h"
#include "DFRobotDFPlayerMini.h"
#include <SoftwareSerial.h>

DFRobotDFPlayerMini myDFPlayer;
void printDetail(uint8_t type, int value);
#define FPSerial Serial2
void setup(){
  FPSerial.begin(9600);
  Serial.begin(115200);

  Serial.println();
  Serial.println(F("DFRobot DFPlayer Mini Demo"));
  Serial.println(F("Initializing DFPlayer ... (May take 3~5 seconds)"));
  
  if (!myDFPlayer.begin(FPSerial, /*isACK = */true, /*doReset = */true)) {  //Use serial to communicate with mp3.
    Serial.println(F("Unable to begin:"));
    Serial.println(F("1.Please recheck the connection!"));
    Serial.println(F("2.Please insert the SD card!"));
    while(true){
      delay(0); // Code to compatible with ESP8266 watch dog.
    }
  }
  Serial.println(F("DFPlayer Mini online."));
  
  myDFPlayer.volume(10);  //Set volume value. From 0 to 30
}

void loop()
{
  myDFPlayer.play(001); // Ensure that your files have been renamed to 001, 002, etc.
}

void printDetail(uint8_t type, int value){
  switch (type) {
    case TimeOut:
      Serial.println(F("Time Out!"));
      break;
    case WrongStack:
      Serial.println(F("Stack Wrong!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerCardInserted:
      Serial.println(F("Card Inserted!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerCardRemoved:
      Serial.println(F("Card Removed!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerCardOnline:
      Serial.println(F("Card Online!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerUSBInserted:
      Serial.println("USB Inserted!");
      break;
    case DFPlayerUSBRemoved:
      Serial.println("USB Removed!");
      break;
    case DFPlayerPlayFinished:
      Serial.print(F("Number:"));
      Serial.print(value);
      Serial.println(F(" Play Finished!"));
      break;
    case DFPlayerError:
      Serial.print(F("DFPlayerError:"));
      switch (value) {
        case Busy:
          Serial.println(F("Card not found"));
          break;
        case Sleeping:
          Serial.println(F("Sleeping"));
          break;
        case SerialWrongStack:
          Serial.println(F("Get Wrong Stack"));
          break;
        case CheckSumNotMatch:
          Serial.println(F("Check Sum Not Match"));
          break;
        case FileIndexOut:
          Serial.println(F("File Index Out of Bound"));
          break;
        case FileMismatch:
          Serial.println(F("Cannot Find File"));
          break;
        case Advertise:
          Serial.println(F("In Advertise"));
          break;
        default:
          break;
      }
      break;
    default:
      break;
  }
  
}

Still

FRobot DFPlayer Mini Demo
Initializing DFPlayer ... (May take 3~5 seconds)
Unable to begin:
1.Please recheck the connection!
2.Please insert the SD card!

16

Is it works?

17

No unfortunatelly. About the photo, I can send some but it will be hard to depreciate things. I didn't have a 1KΩ resistor available, so I had to solder a bunch of 10K together in parallel to make a 1.2KΩ one. Also, my wires are all black...

18

So show the photos of your connections

19

yes your right

20

Sorry about the bad photos

IMG_20240507_131131
IMG_20240507_1311313280×1476 849 KB

IMG_20240507_131115
IMG_20240507_1311151476×3280 330 KB