Desperate for Help with Pulsivo ESP32 Flashing Issue – invalid header: 0x0000000 & Failed to Communicate with Flash Chip

[psychedelicu]

Hi everyone,

I'm reaching out in desperation as I've been struggling with an issue while trying to flash my ESP32. I've followed multiple troubleshooting guides and tried various solutions, but nothing seems to work.

The Issue:
Whenever I try to flash the ESP32 using esptool.py, I encounter the following errors:

Code: Select all

invalid header: 0x00000000
ets Jul 29 2019 12:21:46

rst:0x10 (RTCWDT_RTC_RESET),boot:0x13 (SPI_FAST_FLASH_BOOT)
invalid header: 0x00000000
...
waiting for download

Sketch uses 252585 bytes (19%) of program storage space. Maximum is 1310720 bytes.
Global variables use 17000 bytes (5%) of dynamic memory, leaving 310680 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 327680 bytes.
esptool.py v4.6
Serial port COM3
Connecting......
Traceback (most recent call last):
  ...
TypeError: argument of type 'NoneType' is not iterable

WARNING: Failed to communicate with the flash chip, read/write operations will fail. Try checking the chip connections or removing any other hardware connected to IOs.
Configuring flash size...
Failed uploading: uploading error: exit status 1

What I've Tried So Far:


Connections:

Red (VCC) to 3V3 (Pin 2)

Black (GND) to GND (Pin 1 or Pin 15)

Green (TXD) to RXD0 (GPIO3, Pin 34)

White (RXD) to TXD0 (GPIO1, Pin 35)

GPIO0 (Pin 25) to GND for boot mode

Entering Bootloader Mode:

Press and hold the BOOT button (GPIO0 low) while pressing and releasing the EN (Enable) button.

Driver Installation:

Installed CP210x Universal Windows Driver v11.3.0.

Flashing Process:

Attempted to erase flash and flash firmware using:bashCopy codeesptool.py --port COM3 erase_flash esptool.py --port COM3 --baud 115200 write_flash -z 0x1000 your_firmware.bin

Power Supply:

Used a powered USB hub to ensure sufficient power.

Added a Capacitor:

Connected a 10 µF Tantalum Capacitor (16V) between the EN pin and GND.

This is the board: https://www.optimusdigital.ro/ro/placi- ... th-42.html
Datasheet: https://www.optimusdigital.ro/ro/index. ... hment=1479

[ESP_Sprite]

Looks like the flash chip in the module is broken somehow, so a hardware error, not a software one.

[psychedelicu]

Looks like the flash chip in the module is broken somehow, so a hardware error, not a software one.

there is something i can do? this board is brand new

[ESP_Sprite]

Hold up - you're connecting an external USB-to-serial converter to this board? Boards like that tend to already have one on board - to test if it works, please disconnect any wires from the board, only connect the micro-USB port to your PC, and flash via the COM-port that appears.

[psychedelicu]

Hold up - you're connecting an external USB-to-serial converter to this board? Boards like that tend to already have one on board - to test if it works, please disconnect any wires from the board, only connect the micro-USB port to your PC, and flash via the COM-port that appears.

I have tried both methods. Same issue.

[psychedelicu]

I attach more images:

[ESP_Sprite]

I have tried both methods. Same issue.

Then it's broken, sorry. Not much you can do except contact the seller and have it replaced.

[psychedelicu]

I have tried both methods. Same issue.

Then it's broken, sorry. Not much you can do except contact the seller and have it replaced.

Ok... thanks.