ESP32-S3-WROOM-2 not starting

[ville56]

I'm trying to get a

ESP32-S3-WROOM-2
MCN32R16V

of highest chinese quality (USB connector already broken off because of bad soldering) running with Annex basic. When preparing to flash the firmware, I get the following message on connecting:

Welcome to Annex RDS Web Installer
Connecting...
Connected successfully.
Try hard reset.
Chip type ESP32-S3
Connected to ESP32-S3
MAC Address: B4:3A:45:12:4E:9C
Uploading stub...
Running stub...
Stub is now running...
Detecting Flash Size
FlashId: 0x3980C2
Flash Manufacturer: c2
Flash Device: 8039
Auto-detected Flash size: undefined (ville56: why undefined?)

I can flash whatever firmware is offered for this device, but it seem to hang in a bootloop on startup. <Tried both, opi and QSPI, versions but to no avail. So my question: is this board not supported yet or am I just doing something wrong?

Any advice welcome!

[comptebidouille]

HI, this module is equipped with an OPI - OPI memory (OPI flash + OPI PSRAM) so it requires a special firmware compiled for this combination.

I think there should be some old release of annex available

image.png

For the memory, you must manually select 32MB

[comptebidouille]

Hello,
I have the same problem with a "devkit c" type of S3 bord, no matter what the version of the fimware and the type OPI/QSPI, event with the TX/RX pin...and it seems to be the same with numerous other firmwares like esphome, esp32S3 nat router extended... still rebooting endlessly or
sending "invalid header: 0xffffffff"" via the serial com port....

There is one exception: TASMOTA32 S3 and its "QIO FLASH / OPI PSRAM" version....then the module is functionning...

[comptebidouille]

As I said in the previous post, you probably need an Opi-Opi firmware.

[comptebidouille]

As I said in the previous post, you probably need an Opi-Opi firmware.

Yes and i also tried that with the results i had sadly...

Maybe i'm missing something but i tried all possible Annex firmware solutions....in a way, i understand that the cheapest you get your module, the harder it is to make it work the way you want or simply the way it's intended for...

[cicciocb]

As I said in the previous post, you probably need an Opi-Opi firmware.

Yes and i also tried that with the results i had sadly...

Maybe i'm missing something but i tried all possible Annex firmware solutions....in a way, i understand that the cheapest you get your module, the harder it is to make it work the way you want or simply the way it's intended for...

What is exactly your module? Can you put a picture?

[comptebidouille]

What is exactly your module? Can you put a picture?

Yes... I have a N16/R8 version
I'm using that with Annex web installer on chrome and with linux mint. I have the same problem with opera or chrome under Win 7/10...

[comptebidouille]

Ok, I see. It is supposed to be QIO - OPI but ..ça ne marche pas!

[comptebidouille]

Ok, I see. It is supposed to be QIO - OPI but ..ça ne marche pas!

I will give a try to other QIO-OPI versions under 1.50.6 that sunday and... Peut-être que ça marchera !

[comptebidouille]

So...
I tried many versions QIO-OPI starting from 1.50.5 and i went back to the latest fw but i have countless reboots with....

Annex32-S3 CAN DMT LVGL HID OTG 2.00.94 qio opi
(C) ciccioCB 2025
Personal use only, commercial use strictly prohibited

Chip revision 0 Freq 240
STARTING
Serial version
Annex initializing...
module Type 0 Display 255 Touch 0 SD_Card 0
PSRAM enabled @ 8192
OK
No SD cards found. Reverts to LittleFS

some times it stop in AP mode during a short time and loop rebooting again

and after a looong time it stops in AP mode and then it becomes usable.....