Self-built ESP-12E Module not connecting to PC

Projects General Guidance
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Hi everyone,
I recently tried to create my own version of a microcontroller using the ESP-12E chip. I'm using it in combination with a CH340C and Mini-USB Port to connect it to my pc.
I now got the PCBs and soldered all the parts onto it.
When I connect it to my PC it recognizes that something is connected but I get an error massage that the connected device is not working or not recognized by windows.

Error message (in German)
Error message (in German)392×219 6.73 KB

I already checked all of the soldering corrections and they all seem to be connected well.
The USB cable also connects well to the board and there is power coming from the GND and VBUS pins from the USB-Port.

As I think the physical connections are all right, I'm wondering if I did anything wrong wiring everything.
Does anyone have experience with building something like this and has encountered similar problems or could help me find any potential errors I made in my schematic?

Thanks in advance!

Screenshot of schematic
Screenshot of schematic1082×664 19.4 KB

I could also send the gerber files of the PCB but I cannot upload attachments rn, as my account here is pretty new.

Few Notes to the wiring:
Power is supplied from 2 sources:

  1. the USB-Port (V+ Net) through a Diode into the main +5V net.
  2. The connected batteries also supply into the +5V net.

The voltage regulator outputs a +3.3V net for the ESP and the CH340.
The connections to the ULN, Servo and Stepper only use IO Pins and should not be relevant for this issue.
Both resistors are 10K, C1 is 100nF, C2 is 100uF

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And presumably it all worked perfectly when you tested your prototype on breadboard or stripboard?

1 Like
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I tested it as well as I could, but it was kind of dificult with some of the parts since I only had them as SMDs. I wasnt able to prototype it well enough on breadbord to get the ESP to work, but I ordered the PCB anyways since I thougt this would be the best way to test it.

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And during your breadboard prototyping did you not also get the problem of the ch340 not being recognised?

You have installed windows drivers for CH340?

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I encountered the same problem but I figured it would have been because there was no other device connected to the ch340. Should it be already recognised even if no further device is connected to it?
Also yes, I installed the drivers and it does work with Arduino and NodeMCU devkits.

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