Com port shuts down when uploading ESP32

[crwhite57]

I just got 2 new ESP32 with a SIL2104 chipset. My computer is running Windows 10 (The latest updates installed). I have downloaded the drivers for the com port and when I go into the device manager it shows I have 2 com ports, COM 10 used by who knows what, and "Silicon Labs CP210X USB to UART Bridge (COM1)".

Now I have used the same USB cable to program both the esp8266 d1 mini and the Wemos D1 R2 with no problem, but every time I try to upload to either of the ESP32, you can hear the device disconnection notification sound and see the com port for the ESP32 disappear and reappear in device manager and I get this from Arduino IDE:

esptool.py v3.0-dev
Serial port COM1
Connecting.......
Traceback (most recent call last):
File "esptool.py", line 3682, in <module>
File "esptool.py", line 3675, in _main
File "esptool.py", line 3330, in main
File "esptool.py", line 512, in connect
File "esptool.py", line 492, in _connect_attempt
File "esptool.py", line 431, in sync
File "esptool.py", line 362, in command
File "site-packages\serial\serialutil.py", line 352, in timeout
File "site-packages\serial\serialwin32.py", line 222, in _reconfigure_port
serial.serialutil.SerialException: Cannot configure port, something went wrong. Original message: WindowsError(433, 'A device which does not exist was specified.')
Failed to execute script esptool
the selected serial port Failed to execute script esptool
does not exist or your board is not connected

I have tried just about everything from trying another USB cable to reinstalling the drivers and even tied an unedited script supplied by Arduino, including pulling my hair out (which I don't have much, to begin with).

Has anyone ever had this problem or please does anyone know how to fix this?

[ESP_Sprite]

Are you powering the ESP32 through the 3.3V generated by that Cp2104 chip, perhaps?

[chegewara]

I am guessing it is custom PCB, but i may be wrong. From description it looks like shorting +5V to GND by accident and reset USB port, so maybe check solder pads etc. Also it may be good idea to share schematics.

[crwhite57]

I am powering it from the USB cable and I have not put any pins on them, so there is no solder shorting anything. None of the circuit pathways are exposed and none of the components are close to each other, so no cross soldering is done there either.

[crwhite57]

ESP-Spirit
I'm not sure what you mean by "Are you powering the ESP32 through the 3.3V generated by that Cp2104 chip, perhaps?".
I am using the USB cable.

[ESP_Minatel]

Hi,

Can you post a photo of this board in details? If this is happening only when you try to program, maybe is something related to the reset circuit.

This behaviour happens when you try to monitor only (without flashing)?

[ESP_Sprite]

ESP-Spirit
I'm not sure what you mean by "Are you powering the ESP32 through the 3.3V generated by that Cp2104 chip, perhaps?".
I am using the USB cable.

In all likelihood, that USB cable either uses the CP2104 chip in it as the source for 3.3V, or has some other small LDO that delivers it. Either way, it's likely the USB cable cannot give the ESP32 enough power on the 3.3V line to properly function. Suggest you connect the board to a 3.3V power source that can deliver at least 500mA and try again.

[Broken Eagle]

I'm having the same problem with a DOIT ESP32 DEVKIT V1 board. Has any one found a solution yet?