A fatal error occurred timed out waiting for packet content esp32

I tried to flash an ESP32 but I didn’t succeed, I tried with esptool.py and Arduino IDE. I tried to press the boot button and reset but it didn’t work. Here is the error:

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

If using the Arduino IDE, try lowering the upload speed (Tools/Upload Speed). Lowering mine from 921600 to 460800 did the trick.

First ensure that you are in download mode:

• Start the serial monitor and set the speed (mine is 115200).
• While pressing the «boot» button, press and release the «en» button (your buttons may be labeled differently).
• You should see something like this on the serial monitor:
  waiting for download
• Now start the upload

My development machine, a 2013 iMac is connected via USB to the USB-c port on my ESP32 Dev Module. Apparently the iMac’s USB or ESP32 board’s USB cannot keep up at the 921600 upload speed.

answered Nov 30, 2022 at 23:13

DISCLAIMER! May not be correct answer but may help to save time for someone.

Quick answer if you do not want read my experience: Disconnect all wires from pins and try uploading again! It may help.

I came across with the same error and could not figure it out. I first thought that something is wrong with the code, because it happened after I edited working code while figuring out where to connect what pin 😀. I also wasn’t able to upload simple HelloWorld after it happened with connected wires. But then I disconnected all my wires from the board and the upload works fine.

I can not figure out the WHY factor but I think it must had been the input/data pin I was using, in my case D13. I have the DevKit with fewer pins. Maybe someone can comment why connected pins may make the error come up?

answered Apr 7, 2022 at 19:27

answered Apr 8, 2022 at 9:44

Try to do this one after the other

1. Press the boot button when press uploading button until it write the code.
2. Try disconnect esp32 from the board/header/pcb that you are using right at the time.
3. Disconnect any other connection that your esp32 might have.
4. Do not connect to anything even your hand if possible.
5. Try put it in something that doesnt have a moist surface. look pic number 3.

MY CASES(30 pin version):

Case 1: I dont know why. I was connecting the pin to a female header it doesnt work and sometimes it just work like that. look pic number 1.

Case 2: when Im holding esp32 on my hand sometimes it wont work then i put it on my table and another time it doing well.

Case 3: pressing boot button when uploading it helped sometimes, and the other time it just work like it should.

Case 4: when it connected to pcb its simply just wont work, but when disconnected boom it work like nothing ever happen. look pic number 2.

Maybe just maybe something with capacitive or something like that (just assuming because number Case 1). hope that will help you out.

pic 1pic 2pic 3

answered May 20, 2022 at 17:22

With Arduino IDE
Make sure the Com port is selected under Tools menu. My experience with ESP32 is Com 5.
If it is not available as an option, try changing USB ports and/or re-select Tools — Board — ESP32 dev module.

Watch the «Compiling Sketch» window.
Press the «Boot» button as soon as you get the red message «Serial port Com 5» You can release the button as soon as it starts to upload.
If this doesn’t work,try plugging into another USB port.

The Reset button only resets the uploaded sketch to re-initialise and has nothing to do with the uploading.

answered Jan 24, 2022 at 17:11

answered Oct 27, 2022 at 15:14

answered Dec 3, 2022 at 19:26

answered Jan 26 at 9:21

Just download the drivers x)

CP210x: CP210x USB to UART Bridge VCP Drivers

FTDI: FTDI Virtual COM Port Drivers

answered Sep 29, 2022 at 14:10

Hello! I’m currently testing a custom PCB with the ESP32-WROOM-32D module. After trying to upload code to it using the Arduino IDE and an FTDI breakout, I get this error:

esptool.py v2.6
Serial port COM7
Connecting…….._____….._
Chip is ESP32D0WDQ5 (revision 1)
Features: WiFi, BT, Dual Core, 240MHz, VRef calibration in efuse, Coding Scheme None
MAC: 34: ab:95:8d:c3:ec
Uploading stub…
Running stub…
Stub running…
Changing baud rate to 512000
Changed.
Configuring flash size…
Warning: Could not auto-detect Flash size (FlashID=0xffffff, SizeID=0xff), defaulting to 4MB
Compressed 8192 bytes to 47…

A fatal error occurred: Timed out waiting for packet content
A fatal error occurred: Timed out waiting for packet content

It seems to be communicating because it identifies the chip correctly, but then it breaks. Does anyone know how to resolve this? I have attached the ESP32 part of the schematic to this post in case this is useful. Thank you for any help!

I am trying to find the proper model of my esp32 MCU and find out the reason for below errors:

esptool.py v3.1-dev
Serial port /dev/ttyUSB0
Connecting........__
Chip is ESP32-D0WDQ6 (revision 1)
Features: WiFi, BT, Dual Core, Coding Scheme None
Crystal is 40MHz
MAC: 30:ae:a4:26:6f:44
Uploading stub...
Running stub...
Stub running...
Changing baud rate to 921600
Changed.
Configuring flash size...

A fatal error occurred: Timed out waiting for packet content
A fatal error occurred: Timed out waiting for packet content

My ESP32 type and the board setting are shown below (link) :

Thanks.

asked Sep 11, 2021 at 17:38

answered Sep 12, 2021 at 8:11

answered Apr 9, 2022 at 23:17