Need help controlling ESP32D

Projects Programming
1

Hello everyone.

I wanted to switch to something new so i got myself a ESP32D board. However no matter how many times i tried, i tried switching USB ports, i switched to many different microUSB cords, i tried changing the board parameters, and i even tried shorting GPIO 0 to GND and even then that didn't work.

I'm almost starting to think the Hiletgo board they sent me is DOA. (dead on arrival) If anyone has any tips on how i can get my ESP32D to communicate, that would be helpful.

My first guess is that i'm probably using too new of a version of Arduino IDE. I've seen many people with ESP32 boards using a older version of Arduino IDE. If that is the case then i will downgrade my version but if it isnt, then please give me any tips on how i can fix this issue. Thanks!

2

Does your PC create a new COM port when you plug the board into a USB socket ?

3

When i plug it in it comes up as COM7. I've already updated the drivers for it and even then that didn't fix the issue.

4

Please post the full error message that you get when you try to upload a sketch using COM7

What board have you got selected in the IDE ?

5

IDE >> TOOLS >> BOARD >> ESP32 >> (your board)
IDE >> TOOLS >> PORT >> (your port)

6

I have it set to "ESP32 Dev Module".

Also here are the errors i get when i dont short GPIO 0 to GND and when i do.

Error 1: A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: Wrong boot mode detected (0x13)! The chip needs to be in download mode. For troubleshooting steps visit: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esptool/en/latest/troubleshooting.htmlFailed uploading: uploading error: exit status 2

Error 2: Failed to connect to ESP32: Download mode successfully detected, but getting no sync reply: The serial TX path seems to be down.

7

I already did that. I made sure the upload speed was 115200 and yet it still refuses to communicate.

8
  1. Press and hold BOOT
  2. Press and release RESET
  3. Release BOOT
  4. Upload
9

Tried that already multiple times.

Doesn't work. And i tried bypassing it by shorting GPIO 0 to GND and yet that doesn't do anything although it yields a different error message when it fails to get past "Connecting...."

10
11

There is clearly something wrong with the board. The board not entering download-mode is something that can be solved (as you have) but this is weird.

Can you post a picture of the board and possibly a link to where you got it from ?

12

IMG_3155
IMG_31551920×2560 915 KB

Alright, this is what my board looks like, and heres where i got it from: Amazon.com: HiLetgo ESP-WROOM-32 ESP32 ESP-32S Development Board 2.4GHz Dual-Mode WiFi + Bluetooth Dual Cores Microcontroller Processor Integrated with Antenna RF AMP Filter AP STA for Arduino IDE : Electronics

13

Looks like a fine board visually. As far as i know the CP2102 includes an automated Boot-mode selection, so that isn't working.
What error message are you getting when you keep holding the 'gpio0' button down (instead of connecting it manually) during attempting upload, just trying to figure out if automated RST is working.

If you have another board like an UNO to use as an uploader, or an uploader, connecting to the RX & TX pins (be sure not to expose the RX pin to 5v logic levels, or protection might kick in.) and GPIO0 to GND.

This is just an attempt to use a partly broken board though, i think i would get in contact with the vendor and tell them they have send you a faulty board.

14

I just get the same "Wrong boot mode (0x13)! Chip needs to be in download mode." error.

I've already downgraded my IDE version to 1.8.19 and the esptool to 2.0.14 but nothing has changed once.

15

Are you answering "from memory" or following the enumerated steps?

16

I'm trying all the steps correctly but they lead me to the same errors.

17

Do you have another same-ESP? I have read there are a few bad "states" the ESP-S can be in, like a Serial crash, your boot mode, and not seeing the board when expecting a COM & LPT port when it uses native ?comm? chip.

18

That would indicate that Reset isn't working, which could also explain why there is no Serial Tx response. Probably it's the CP2102 that is not working properly.

Do you have a programmer or something that could be used as such ?

19
  • Have you tried ESP32 NodeMCU? (rather than DevKit)

Another "boot" sequence is...

  • (1) Hold BOOT (2) click "upload", (3) when "Connecting..." is in the console, (4) release BOOT.
20

No. This is my first time using ESP32 and i wanted to make projects with this board.