ESP32-C3 SuperMini connecting to wifi work only when touching antenna

[jingo09]

Hi, I bought a new board and I can only connect to wifi when I touch with my finger (some other objects might also work) above or on the side of the antenna or under the antenna (under the pcb). this is only help when i try to connect to wifi but with esp-now delivery is failed.
I tried a separate power supply but still the same. What can cause that issue and dose anyone have a fix for this?

[MicroController]

May be the same issue: https://esp32.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41899#p137764

[jingo09]

May be the same issue: https://esp32.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=41899#p137764

Thank you, it worked. I needed also WIFI_STA before and 40/10db.

Code: Select all

WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);
esp_wifi_set_max_tx_power(40); 

Dose the cause of the problem is the board circuit? I noticed it different than my other ones and it also doesn't look the same as the product page image.

[Fusion]

It is related to antenna design. I made a custom board where it was very hard to implement the recommended antenna keep-out clearance and used a similar ceramic antenna. I had to reduce tx power to get it to connect to networks. This is not an issue if the board is always close to the router.

[jingo09]

the recommended antenna keep-out clearance

I see now, the good boards have a lot more clearance and they also have small holes. thanks.

[BerndN]

I tested the workaround

Code: Select all

WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);
esp_wifi_set_max_tx_power(40);

Then I saw in
http://esp32.io/viewtopic.php?f=19&t=42069
the pin 21 issue.
I soldered out the single row male pin 21 and removed

Code: Select all

esp_wifi_set_max_tx_power(40);

again and it connected every time.

[DahBenni]

I also had the same issues and wanted to try esp_wifi_set_max_tx_power(40);
But as I had to rewrite too much other code I simply started to unsolder / disconnected an external LED from GPIO Pin 21.
Surprise: It resolved my issues instantly
Thx!