Can't connect to ESP by cable

ESPHome
1

I changed one of my ESPHome devices for the first time in a long time, and got an error that the OTA partition isn’t big enough to update wirelessly, so I’d need to use a cable. No problem I figured, I’ve done that before. However, this time I can’t for the life of me get a COM port to show up on my PC. I tried everything. Different cables, different USB ports on my computer, updating drivers, downgrading drivers, flashing a minimal firmware OTA and then flashing the complete one, you name it. The only difference between now and the last time I flashed an ESP with a cable AFAIK is that I’m now on windows 11 instead of 10.

Any suggestions what else I could try?

2

Different USB cables.

Which board is it?

3

Unbelievable… I tested 5 different cables, all that I had, none worked. Just remembered I had another one in my bag, that one works immediately. PSA: throw out any power-only cables, and always try another cable.

1 Like
4

Had the same happen to me.

I have four white micro USB cables. Three of them do not work.

5

Yea, impossible to know a USB power cable from one that has the required data wires just by visual. I have thrown a few out too. Glad you found out.