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Martin Avorgah , 09-11-2025, 11:50 AM

I am working on a device that uses an ESP32-S3 module. I decided to program the board through the USB-C port.
The board is in an enclosure, and I use the Adafruit USB-C Screw Panel Mount to 4-pin JST PH Cable ( https://www.adafruit.com/product/6071?srsltid=AfmBOoqODNfuG_9vmWwr9VIrSwTbNMvR3P_H-6PcOqc5-YzS-Oipw2_k ). By the way, the CC pins on the Adafruit are floating, but I didn't think it would impact programming the board.
So to connect the Adafruit to my board, I have a 4-pin JST connector (vbus, d-, d+, gnd) and the data lines are then connected to the ESP32 data lines. I have attached the images of the schematic.

I got the board, connected the USB connector, and there is power, but the chip can't be detected. I check my USB connections, and there are error messages indicating USB communication issues. I used the dmesg -w in my terminal, and I can see the error messages. My laptop knows a USB device has been connected, but it fails to establish a connection.

My question
1. Could the issue be the floating CC pins in the Adafruit module?
2. Is this a reliable way to program this chip?
3. Will ftdi chip be a better option?

QDrives , 09-11-2025, 07:56 PM

Should the ESP32 be in a special boot mode for the USB to work?

Martin Avorgah , 09-12-2025, 12:09 PM

no, just using io0 and en to put it in download mode

Robert Feranec , 09-13-2025, 10:51 AM

have you tried to connect it to a different PC if the behaviour is the same?

Martin Avorgah , 09-13-2025, 01:59 PM

I have been able to get it to work now, establish usb connection and flash firmware but the firmware doesn't run. i think the esp32 is stuck in download mode.