Defective ESP32-S2 WROVER Moderators: adafruit_support_bill, adafruit

[basepr1me]

Order Confirmation No: 2852148-5682399407

Hello,
I ordered an ESP32-S2, S3, and C3. I am unable to erase the S2 board with esptool.py, or erase the board using the esp-web-flasher, as recommended by your website. The erase process just hangs. Sometimes, when I try to erase using esptool, the LED program will start and the serial console outputs the colours as expected. Typically, the console will simply output "invalid header: 0xffffff0f" repeatedly and never start the colour program. When in boot loader mode, I can't even write to the device.

Happily, the S3 and C3 work just fine, but I fear this S2 needs replaced.

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thanks,
Tracey

[tepalia02]

For this time being you can try this troubleshooting guideline: https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-met ... leshooting

If nothing works, then it's a bad board.

[basepr1me]

The thing simply won't go into a proper bootloader mode. Nothing comes up on the serial screen. I've even tried resetting using my buspirate. No joy. :(

[freddyboomboom]

Different ESP32-S2 based boards will go into bootloader mode in different ways.

I know of at least 8 different ESP32-S2 based boards off the top of my head.

Which specific one are you having a problem with?

And what procedure are you using?

For example, the Unexpected Maker FeatherS2 goes into bootloader mode by pressing the reset button, then while the NeoPixel is lit purple, press the boot button.

If it's the Espressif ESP32-S2-Saola-1 you hold down the boot button, press the reset button, and let go of the boot button.

[basepr1me]

Saola. Done it multiple times exactly as you've described. This is not my first rodeo. Thanks though. I appreciate your thoughts. I guess the forum doesn't actually get an rma for defection. Too bad. Moving my business elsewhere. Peace be amongst you all. I'm out.

[freddyboomboom]

Nobody from Adafruit has chimed in yet, if you're on Discord go there and ask someone from Adafruit support to look at this thread.

It does sound like it's defective, but in order to get a replacement you need to have an Adafruit support person authorize it.

[basepr1me]

Understand that. I'm still out. Not going to beg for a replacement board. Oh well. I'll support elsewhere. I shouldn't have to look that hard. Moving on. Have a great night.

[Franklin97355]

There aren't any ideas on what might be the trouble or how to fix it so let's replace it and see if it fixes it. Contact support@adafruit.com with a link to this thread and they will get you a new one and let's hope it will work this time.

[basepr1me]

Thank you.

[basepr1me]

Thank you. The replacement board flashes without error! Appreciate everyone's suggestions.

[basepr1me]

For anyone else who might experience this problem, here is the solution. I ran across this post: https://www.esp32.com/viewtopic.php?t=23121

The foam that comes from Adafruit is conductive (I'll test continuity when I have a tester later). This is the first ESP32 I've purchased that had conductive foam and have always left the foam on. So, if you order the S2 from Adafruit, take it off the foam. I guess I just got repeatedly lucky when flashing the new board, because I did not remove it from the foam either.

So, Adafruit, I owe you some money. The original board is NOT defective. Please send me a link to pay for the replacement board.

[Franklin97355]

Thank you for getting back to us. I will let the others know what you found. Go ahead and keep the board, you deserve it.

[basepr1me]

Too kind. Thank you.