ESP32 Forum

Posted: **Mon Mar 06, 2023 8:42 pm**

How can I Factory Reset, Erase EEPROM and Repair Bootloader using ESPtool for the ESP32-CAM ?
I can do it with esptool for the ESP32, but not for the ESP32-CAM.

I have tried to connect the ESP32-CAM via Arduino UNO, via FTDI and via ESP32-CAM-MB.

Arduino: 1.8.19 (Linux), Board: "ESP32 Wrover Module, Huge APP (3MB No OTA/1MB SPIFFS), QIO, 40MHz, 115200, None"

Code: Select all

henkoegema @ HP-Pavilion ~ => esptool.py --chip esp32 --port /dev/ttyUSB0 erase_flash
esptool.py v4.5.1
Serial port /dev/ttyUSB0
Connecting......................................

A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: No serial data received.
For troubleshooting steps visit: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esptool/en/latest/troubleshooting.html
henkoegema @ HP-Pavilion ~ => esptool.py --chip esp32 --port /dev/ttyUSB0 erase_flash
esptool.py v4.5.1
Serial port /dev/ttyUSB0
Connecting......................................

A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: No serial data received.
For troubleshooting steps visit: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esptool/en/latest/troubleshooting.html
henkoegema @ HP-Pavilion ~ => esptool.py --chip esp32 --port /dev/ttyUSB0 erase_flash
esptool.py v4.5.1
Serial port /dev/ttyUSB0
Connecting......................................

A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: No serial data received.
For troubleshooting steps visit: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esptool/en/latest/troubleshooting.html
henkoegema @ HP-Pavilion ~ => esptool.py --chip esp32 --port /dev/ttyUSB0 erase_flash
esptool.py v4.5.1
Serial port /dev/ttyUSB0
Connecting......................................

A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: No serial data received.
For troubleshooting steps visit: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esptool/en/latest/troubleshooting.html
henkoegema @ HP-Pavilion ~ => 

esptool.py v3.0-dev
Serial port /dev/ttyACM0
Connecting........_____....._____....._____....._____....._____....._____.....____An error occurred while uploading the sketch
_

A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: Timed out waiting for packet header

I noticed that the flash light is permanently on (with low light intensity)

(It is also possible that I damaged the ESP-CAM during testing

)

Posted: **Tue Mar 07, 2023 2:54 pm**

Hello,
the "No serial data received" message means the serial connection is not working. Without a proper serial connection, esptool cannot communicate with the chip.

Since you have tried different programmers, including the ESP32-CAM-MB (that should take care of all the connections for you), I assume the chip is most likely fried (or held in reset).

Some things to try:

1) Change your USB cable (or verify if this one works with another ESP device)
2) Try connecting to the ESP32-CAM with any serial terminal program (e.g. the Arduino terminal, or python -m serial.tools.miniterm <PORT> 115200) and press the reset button. See if any data (boot log) comes out.
3) Check with a multimeter that the EN pin is not pulled to GND in a normal state.
4) Switch the TX/RX connections.

If your cable and the EN pin are ok and you see no data, the chip might be dead or there is another problem with your hardware.

Posted: **Thu Mar 09, 2023 12:21 pm**

Thanks for your answer.
I have come to the conclusion the the chip is dead.

Bought a new one and that is working well.

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