QT Py ESP32-C3 WiFi issues

[kjr]

I've just got 5 QT Py ESP32-C3 WiFi Dev Boards, but when trying them out I'm only able to get one of the boards to connect to my Wifi. I'm running the exact same Arduino sketches on all of them, the good one will connect immediately, the other four will just keep retrying forever. Other ESP32 boards I have also connect without any issues. The distance from the AP doesn't seem to matter.

I've seen this thread: viewtopic.php?p=963707, and my boards seem to behave in a very similar way. Ie uploading and running code works just fine on all of them, eg toggling the Neopixel or printing to the serial port and when running the WifiScan example they will all see the expected network. But when trying to connect to the network or setting up the board as an AP, the four boards will all fail. I've tried visually inspecting my boards as suggested in the mentioned thread, but haven't been able spot any obvious soldering issues so far.

Any tips on other things I could check or try out to get these boards working?

[mikeysklar]

Do you have the pink bags the boards came in? If so can you post a photo of all 5 together (one shot)? That will help us with the lot tracking.

Had you been using an enclosure with the Qt PY's? I ask since there was a report of a 3D printed case knocking off one of the 0402 16pF cap the antenna utilizes.

Can you also a take a pair of photos with a working board and non-working side by side. One showing the tops and the other showing the bottoms. I believe the pair of 0402 Capacitors C16 / C17 in question are on the bottom side at the far end opposite the USB connector.

[kjr]

Here are some pictures. The good board the one at the left in both pictures, this one have a black stemma connector, all the non-working ones have a white one. None of the boards have been used with an enclosure, all have been tested straight out of the bag.

[mikeysklar]

Excellent photos and observation.

I'm going to pass this along to engineering before just sending out replacement units to make sure the issue is reviewed and resolved.

[adafruit2]

yeah this happened but we dont know why - it has something to do with the access point - we'd recommend returning them for QT Py S2's instead, they're a lot more stable!

[amoreno]

I have encountered with the ESP32-C3 microcontroller that I purchased from you on May 22, 2023, with order number 3076343. I have conducted several tests to connect it to both my home Wi-Fi network and my mobile phone's network, but to date, I have been unable to establish a connection with either of them.

I have followed the tutorials available on your website (https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-qt- ... /wifi-test), and the microcontroller is able to detect the Wi-Fi networks without any problem. However, when attempting the connection test, an issue arises: it never manages to connect.

I urgently need your review and assistance with this matter, as time is passing, and I need to complete a prototype that relies on this component.

[mikeysklar]

@amoreno,

Please start a new topic with your issue showing the WiFi output you see and pink bag for your purchased unit(s) if you have them.