Compiling fails: some platformio exe doesn't exist

ErikDB · October 27, 2025, 8:22am

I’ve been using ESPhome via CLI for some time now, without issues, up until yesterday. And today, something fails. I don’t recall what the first error was, but then I deleted my python venv and recreated it, assuming that would do the trick. Alas:

PowerShell 7.5.4
PS C:\Users\Erik> cd C:\PortbleApps\ESPHome
PS C:\PortbleApps\ESPHome> venv/Scripts/activate.ps1
(venv) PS C:\PortbleApps\ESPHome> esphome run watermetertest.yaml
INFO ESPHome 2025.10.3
INFO Reading configuration watermetertest.yaml...
INFO Detected timezone 'Europe/Paris'
INFO Generating C++ source...
INFO Compiling app...
Processing watermeter (board: az-delivery-devkit-v4; framework: arduino, espidf; platform: https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/54.03.21-2/platform-espressif32.zip)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFO Package configuration completed successfully
INFO Package configuration completed successfully
Verbose mode can be enabled via `-v, --verbose` option
CONFIGURATION: https://docs.platformio.org/page/boards/espressif32/az-delivery-devkit-v4.html
PLATFORM: Espressif 32 (54.3.21) > AZ-Delivery ESP-32 Dev Kit C V4
HARDWARE: ESP32 240MHz, 520KB RAM, 4MB Flash
DEBUG: Current (cmsis-dap) External (cmsis-dap, esp-bridge, esp-prog, iot-bus-jtag, jlink, minimodule, olimex-arm-usb-ocd, olimex-arm-usb-ocd-h, olimex-arm-usb-tiny-h, olimex-jtag-tiny, tumpa)
PACKAGES:
 - framework-arduinoespressif32 @ 3.2.1
 - framework-arduinoespressif32-libs @ 5.4.0+sha.858a988d6e
 - framework-espidf @ 3.50402.0 (5.4.2)
 - tool-cmake @ 3.30.2
 - tool-esp-rom-elfs @ 2024.10.11
 - tool-esptoolpy @ 5.0.2
 - tool-mklittlefs @ 3.2.0
 - tool-ninja @ 1.13.1
 - tool-scons @ 4.40801.0 (4.8.1)
 - toolchain-xtensa-esp-elf @ 14.2.0+20241119
Warning! Arduino framework as an ESP-IDF component doesn't handle the `variant` field! The default `esp32` variant will be used.
Reading CMake configuration...
LDF: Library Dependency Finder -> https://bit.ly/configure-pio-ldf
LDF Modes: Finder ~ off, Compatibility ~ strict
Found 43 compatible libraries
Scanning dependencies...
Dependency Graph
|-- Networking @ 3.2.1
|-- ESP32 Async UDP @ 3.2.1
|-- DNSServer @ 3.2.1
|-- WiFi @ 3.2.1
|-- ESPmDNS @ 3.2.1
|-- Update @ 3.2.1
|-- noise-c @ 0.1.10
Building in release mode
Archiving .pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_trace\libapp_trace.a
Archiving .pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_update\libapp_update.a
Indexing .pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_update\libapp_update.a
Indexing .pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_trace\libapp_trace.a
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\bootloader_support\src\flash_encrypt.c.o
thread 'main' panicked at 'Tool C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\packages\toolchain-xtensa-esp-elf\bin\xtensa-esp-elf-gcc-ranlib.exe is not exist', main.rs:143:5
note: run with `RUST_BACKTRACE=1` environment variable to display a backtrace
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\bootloader_support\src\secure_boot.c.o
thread 'main' panicked at 'Tool C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\packages\toolchain-xtensa-esp-elf\bin\xtensa-esp-elf-gcc-ranlib.exe is not exist', main.rs:143:5
note: run with `RUST_BACKTRACE=1` environment variable to display a backtrace
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\bootloader_support\src\bootloader_random_esp32.c.o
*** [.pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_update\libapp_update.a] Error 101
*** [.pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_trace\libapp_trace.a] Error 101
=============================================================== [FAILED] Took 11.01 seconds ===============================================================
(venv) PS C:\PortbleApps\ESPHome>

I don’t understand why the code would be looking in C:\Users\Erik\, as that is not where the python venv is located.

I didn’t find any solutions on the world wide web, so I hope someone here has a clue…?

ErikDB · October 27, 2025, 8:43am

After some more searching, I did this:

(venv) PS C:\PortbleApps\ESPHome> esphome clean-all
INFO Deleting PlatformIO platforms_dir C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\platforms
ERROR Error cleaning all files: [WinError 5] Toegang geweigerd: 'C:\\Users\\Erik\\.platformio\\platforms\\espressif32@src-15d1e2a6b777e8b6c907c193f6a5e20f\\.git\\objects\\pack\\pack-f4730e595627c86ed5d45c428b0de63bc03c3e37.idx'

I then “deleted” C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\ by moving it, and tried again:

(venv) PS C:\PortbleApps\ESPHome> esphome clean-all
INFO Done!

At first this looked promising, but it ended up failing again:

(venv) PS C:\PortbleApps\ESPHome> esphome run watermetertest.yaml
INFO ESPHome 2025.10.3
INFO Reading configuration watermetertest.yaml...
INFO Detected timezone 'Europe/Paris'
INFO Generating C++ source...
INFO Compiling app...
************************************************************************************************************************************************************
If you like PlatformIO, please:
- star it on GitHub > https://github.com/platformio/platformio-core
- follow us on LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on the latest project news > https://www.linkedin.com/company/platformio/
- try PlatformIO IDE for embedded development > https://platformio.org/platformio-ide
************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Processing watermeter (board: az-delivery-devkit-v4; framework: arduino, espidf; platform: https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/54.03.21-2/platform-espressif32.zip)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Platform Manager: Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/54.03.21-2/platform-espressif32.zip
INFO Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/54.03.21-2/platform-espressif32.zip
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Platform Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
INFO tool-esp_install not installed, installing version https://github.com/pioarduino/esp_install/releases/download/v5.3.1/esp_install-v5.3.1.zip
INFO Installing tool-esp_install version https://github.com/pioarduino/esp_install/releases/download/v5.3.1/esp_install-v5.3.1.zip
Tool Manager: Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/esp_install/releases/download/v5.3.1/esp_install-v5.3.1.zip
INFO Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/esp_install/releases/download/v5.3.1/esp_install-v5.3.1.zip
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
INFO tool-esp_install successfully installed and verified
INFO Package configuration completed successfully
Tool Manager: Installing https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/releases/download/3.2.1/esp32-3.2.1.zip
INFO Installing https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/releases/download/3.2.1/esp32-3.2.1.zip
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
Tool Manager: Installing https://github.com/espressif/esp32-arduino-lib-builder/releases/download/idf-release_v5.4/esp32-arduino-libs-idf-release_v5.4-858a988d-v1.zip
INFO Installing https://github.com/espressif/esp32-arduino-lib-builder/releases/download/idf-release_v5.4/esp32-arduino-libs-idf-release_v5.4-858a988d-v1.zip
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Tool Manager: [email protected]+sha.858a988d6e has been installed!
INFO [email protected]+sha.858a988d6e has been installed!
Tool Manager: Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/esp-idf/releases/download/v5.4.2/esp-idf-v5.4.2.zip
INFO Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/esp-idf/releases/download/v5.4.2/esp-idf-v5.4.2.zip
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
Tool Manager: Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/xtensa-esp-elf-14.2.0_20241119.zip
INFO Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/xtensa-esp-elf-14.2.0_20241119.zip
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Tool Manager: [email protected]+20241119 has been installed!
INFO [email protected]+20241119 has been installed!
Tool Manager: Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/esptoolpy-v5.0.2.zip
INFO Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/esptoolpy-v5.0.2.zip
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
Tool Manager: Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/mklittlefs-3.2.0.zip
INFO Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/mklittlefs-3.2.0.zip
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
Tool Manager: Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/cmake-3.30.2.zip
INFO Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/cmake-3.30.2.zip
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
Tool Manager: Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/esp-rom-elfs-20241011.zip
INFO Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/esp-rom-elfs-20241011.zip
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
Tool Manager: Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/ninja-1.13.1.zip
INFO Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/ninja-1.13.1.zip
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
Tool Manager: Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/scons-4.8.1.zip
INFO Installing https://github.com/pioarduino/registry/releases/download/0.0.1/scons-4.8.1.zip
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
Tool Manager: Installing platformio/tool-scons @ ~4.40801.0
INFO Installing platformio/tool-scons @ ~4.40801.0
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
Library Manager: Installing esphome/noise-c @ 0.1.10
INFO Installing esphome/noise-c @ 0.1.10
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Library Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
Library Manager: Resolving dependencies...
INFO Resolving dependencies...
Library Manager: Installing esphome/libsodium @ 1.10020.7
INFO Installing esphome/libsodium @ 1.10020.7
Downloading  [####################################]  100%
Unpacking  [####################################]  100%
Library Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
INFO Installing tools via idf_tools.py (this may take several minutes)...
Tool Manager: Installing file://C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\tools\tool-esptoolpy
INFO Installing file://C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\tools\tool-esptoolpy
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
INFO Tool tool-esptoolpy successfully installed
INFO Installing tools via idf_tools.py (this may take several minutes)...
Tool Manager: Installing file://C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\tools\toolchain-xtensa-esp-elf
INFO Installing file://C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\tools\toolchain-xtensa-esp-elf
Tool Manager: [email protected]+20241119 has been installed!
INFO [email protected]+20241119 has been installed!
INFO Tool toolchain-xtensa-esp-elf successfully installed
INFO Installing tools via idf_tools.py (this may take several minutes)...
Tool Manager: Installing file://C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\tools\tool-mklittlefs
INFO Installing file://C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\tools\tool-mklittlefs
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
INFO Tool tool-mklittlefs successfully installed
INFO Installing tools via idf_tools.py (this may take several minutes)...
Tool Manager: Installing file://C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\tools\tool-cmake
INFO Installing file://C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\tools\tool-cmake
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
INFO Tool tool-cmake successfully installed
INFO Installing tools via idf_tools.py (this may take several minutes)...
Tool Manager: Installing file://C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\tools\tool-ninja
INFO Installing file://C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\tools\tool-ninja
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
INFO Tool tool-ninja successfully installed
INFO Installing tools via idf_tools.py (this may take several minutes)...
Tool Manager: Installing file://C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\tools\tool-esp-rom-elfs
INFO Installing file://C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\tools\tool-esp-rom-elfs
Tool Manager: [email protected] has been installed!
INFO [email protected] has been installed!
INFO Tool tool-esp-rom-elfs successfully installed
INFO Package configuration completed successfully
Verbose mode can be enabled via `-v, --verbose` option
CONFIGURATION: https://docs.platformio.org/page/boards/espressif32/az-delivery-devkit-v4.html
PLATFORM: Espressif 32 (54.3.21) > AZ-Delivery ESP-32 Dev Kit C V4
HARDWARE: ESP32 240MHz, 520KB RAM, 4MB Flash
DEBUG: Current (cmsis-dap) External (cmsis-dap, esp-bridge, esp-prog, iot-bus-jtag, jlink, minimodule, olimex-arm-usb-ocd, olimex-arm-usb-ocd-h, olimex-arm-usb-tiny-h, olimex-jtag-tiny, tumpa)
PACKAGES:
 - framework-arduinoespressif32 @ 3.2.1
 - framework-arduinoespressif32-libs @ 5.4.0+sha.858a988d6e
 - framework-espidf @ 3.50402.0 (5.4.2)
 - tool-cmake @ 3.30.2
 - tool-esp-rom-elfs @ 2024.10.11
 - tool-esptoolpy @ 5.0.2
 - tool-mklittlefs @ 3.2.0
 - tool-ninja @ 1.13.1
 - tool-scons @ 4.40801.0 (4.8.1)
 - toolchain-xtensa-esp-elf @ 14.2.0+20241119
Creating a new virtual environment for IDF Python dependencies
Installing ESP-IDF's Python dependencies
Installing windows-curses package
Warning! Arduino framework as an ESP-IDF component doesn't handle the `variant` field! The default `esp32` variant will be used.
Reading CMake configuration...
Generating assembly for certificate bundle...
LDF: Library Dependency Finder -> https://bit.ly/configure-pio-ldf
LDF Modes: Finder ~ off, Compatibility ~ strict
Found 43 compatible libraries
Scanning dependencies...
Dependency Graph
|-- Networking @ 3.2.1
|-- ESP32 Async UDP @ 3.2.1
|-- DNSServer @ 3.2.1
|-- WiFi @ 3.2.1
|-- ESPmDNS @ 3.2.1
|-- Update @ 3.2.1
|-- noise-c @ 0.1.10
Building in release mode
Generating assembly for .pioenvs\watermeter\https_server.crt.S
Generating assembly for .pioenvs\watermeter\rmaker_mqtt_server.crt.S
Generating assembly for .pioenvs\watermeter\rmaker_claim_service_server.crt.S
Generating assembly for .pioenvs\watermeter\rmaker_ota_server.crt.S
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\api\api_connection.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\api\api_frame_helper.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\api\api_frame_helper_noise.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\api\api_pb2.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\api\api_pb2_service.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\api\api_server.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\api\list_entities.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\api\proto.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\api\subscribe_state.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\captive_portal\captive_portal.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\esp32\core.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\esp32\gpio.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\esp32\helpers.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\esp32\preferences.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\esphome\ota\ota_esphome.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\homeassistant\time\homeassistant_time.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\logger\logger.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\logger\logger_esp32.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\logger\task_log_buffer.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\md5\md5.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\mdns\mdns_component.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\mdns\mdns_esp32.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\network\util.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\ota\ota_backend.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\ota\ota_backend_arduino_esp32.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\restart\switch\restart_switch.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\safe_mode\safe_mode.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\sensor\automation.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\sensor\filter.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\sensor\sensor.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\sha256\sha256.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\socket\bsd_sockets_impl.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\socket\socket.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\switch\automation.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\switch\switch.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\time\automation.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\time\real_time_clock.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\uptime\sensor\uptime_seconds_sensor.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\uptime\sensor\uptime_timestamp_sensor.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\web_server\ota\ota_web_server.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\web_server_base\web_server_base.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\web_server_idf\multipart.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\web_server_idf\utils.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\web_server_idf\web_server_idf.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\wifi\wifi_component.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\components\wifi\wifi_component_esp_idf.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\core\application.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\core\color.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\core\component.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\core\component_iterator.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\core\controller.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\core\entity_base.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\core\helpers.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\core\log.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\core\ring_buffer.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\core\scheduler.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\core\time.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\esphome\core\util.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\src\main.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\libe02\Network\NetworkClient.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\libe02\Network\NetworkEvents.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\libe02\Network\NetworkInterface.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\libe02\Network\NetworkManager.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\libe02\Network\NetworkServer.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\libe02\Network\NetworkUdp.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib1e7\AsyncUDP\AsyncUDP.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib573\DNSServer\DNSServer.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib00a\WiFi\AP.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib00a\WiFi\STA.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib00a\WiFi\WiFi.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib00a\WiFi\WiFiAP.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib00a\WiFi\WiFiGeneric.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib00a\WiFi\WiFiMulti.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib00a\WiFi\WiFiSTA.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib00a\WiFi\WiFiScan.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib1a0\ESPmDNS\ESPmDNS.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4b7\Update\HttpsOTAUpdate.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4b7\Update\Updater.cpp.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_core\ed25519\ref10\ed25519_ref10.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_core\salsa\ref\core_salsa_ref.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_hash\crypto_hash.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_hash\sha256\cp\hash_sha256_cp.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_hash\sha256\hash_sha256.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_onetimeauth\crypto_onetimeauth.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_onetimeauth\poly1305\donna\poly1305_donna.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_onetimeauth\poly1305\onetimeauth_poly1305.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_scalarmult\crypto_scalarmult.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_scalarmult\curve25519\ref10\x25519_ref10.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_scalarmult\curve25519\scalarmult_curve25519.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_stream\chacha20\ref\chacha20_ref.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_stream\chacha20\stream_chacha20.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_stream\crypto_stream.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_stream\salsa20\ref\salsa20_ref.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_stream\salsa20\stream_salsa20.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_stream\salsa20\xmm6\salsa20_xmm6-asm.S.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_stream\salsa20\xmm6\salsa20_xmm6.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_stream\salsa20\xmm6int\salsa20_xmm6int-avx2.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_stream\salsa20\xmm6int\salsa20_xmm6int-sse2.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\crypto_verify\verify.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\randombytes\internal\randombytes_internal_random.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\randombytes\randombytes.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\randombytes\sysrandom\randombytes_sysrandom.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\sodium\codecs.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\sodium\core.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\sodium\runtime.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib4ea\libsodium\sodium\utils.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\backend\openssl\cipher-aesgcm.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\backend\ref\cipher-aesgcm.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\backend\ref\cipher-chachapoly.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\backend\ref\dh-curve25519.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\backend\ref\hash-blake2b.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\backend\ref\hash-blake2s.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\backend\ref\hash-sha256.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\backend\sodium\cipher-aesgcm.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\backend\sodium\cipher-chachapoly.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\backend\sodium\dh-curve25519.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\backend\sodium\hash-blake2b.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\backend\sodium\hash-sha256.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\crypto\aes\rijndael-alg-fst.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\crypto\blake2\blake2b.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\crypto\blake2\blake2s.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\crypto\chacha\chacha.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\crypto\donna\curve25519-donna-c64.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\crypto\donna\curve25519-donna.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\crypto\donna\poly1305-donna.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\crypto\sha2\sha256.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\crypto\sha2\sha512.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\crypto\x25519\x25519.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\cipherstate.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\dhstate.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\errors.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\handshakestate.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\hashstate.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\internal.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\names.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\patterns.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\rand_os.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\rand_sodium.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\randstate.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\signstate.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\symmetricstate.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\lib5ec\noise-c\protocol\util.c.o
Generating LD script .pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\esp_system\ld\memory.ld.in
Generating LD script .pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\esp_system\ld\sections.ld.in
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\app_trace\app_trace.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\app_trace\app_trace_util.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\app_trace\host_file_io.c.o
Generating LD script .pioenvs\watermeter\memory.ld
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\app_trace\port\port_uart.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\app_update\esp_ota_ops.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\app_update\esp_ota_app_desc.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\bootloader_support\src\bootloader_common.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\bootloader_support\src\bootloader_common_loader.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\bootloader_support\src\bootloader_clock_init.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\bootloader_support\src\bootloader_mem.c.o
Archiving .pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_trace\libapp_trace.a
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\bootloader_support\src\bootloader_random.c.o
Indexing .pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_trace\libapp_trace.a
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\bootloader_support\src\bootloader_efuse.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\bootloader_support\src\flash_encrypt.c.o
thread 'main' panicked at 'Failed to start child process: Os { code: 5, kind: PermissionDenied, message: "Toegang geweigerd." }', main.rs:231:10
note: run with `RUST_BACKTRACE=1` environment variable to display a backtrace
*** [.pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_trace\libapp_trace.a] Error 101
=============================================================== [FAILED] Took 746.96 seconds ===============================================================
(venv) PS C:\PortbleApps\ESPHome> esphome run watermetertest.yaml
INFO ESPHome 2025.10.3
INFO Reading configuration watermetertest.yaml...
INFO Detected timezone 'Europe/Paris'
INFO Generating C++ source...
INFO Compiling app...
Processing watermeter (board: az-delivery-devkit-v4; framework: arduino, espidf; platform: https://github.com/pioarduino/platform-espressif32/releases/download/54.03.21-2/platform-espressif32.zip)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INFO Package configuration completed successfully
INFO Package configuration completed successfully
Verbose mode can be enabled via `-v, --verbose` option
CONFIGURATION: https://docs.platformio.org/page/boards/espressif32/az-delivery-devkit-v4.html
PLATFORM: Espressif 32 (54.3.21) > AZ-Delivery ESP-32 Dev Kit C V4
HARDWARE: ESP32 240MHz, 520KB RAM, 4MB Flash
DEBUG: Current (cmsis-dap) External (cmsis-dap, esp-bridge, esp-prog, iot-bus-jtag, jlink, minimodule, olimex-arm-usb-ocd, olimex-arm-usb-ocd-h, olimex-arm-usb-tiny-h, olimex-jtag-tiny, tumpa)
PACKAGES:
 - framework-arduinoespressif32 @ 3.2.1
 - framework-arduinoespressif32-libs @ 5.4.0+sha.858a988d6e
 - framework-espidf @ 3.50402.0 (5.4.2)
 - tool-cmake @ 3.30.2
 - tool-esp-rom-elfs @ 2024.10.11
 - tool-esptoolpy @ 5.0.2
 - tool-mklittlefs @ 3.2.0
 - tool-ninja @ 1.13.1
 - tool-scons @ 4.40801.0 (4.8.1)
 - toolchain-xtensa-esp-elf @ 14.2.0+20241119
Warning! Arduino framework as an ESP-IDF component doesn't handle the `variant` field! The default `esp32` variant will be used.
Reading CMake configuration...
LDF: Library Dependency Finder -> https://bit.ly/configure-pio-ldf
LDF Modes: Finder ~ off, Compatibility ~ strict
Found 43 compatible libraries
Scanning dependencies...
Dependency Graph
|-- Networking @ 3.2.1
|-- ESP32 Async UDP @ 3.2.1
|-- DNSServer @ 3.2.1
|-- WiFi @ 3.2.1
|-- ESPmDNS @ 3.2.1
|-- Update @ 3.2.1
|-- noise-c @ 0.1.10
Building in release mode
Archiving .pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_trace\libapp_trace.a
Archiving .pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_update\libapp_update.a
Indexing .pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_trace\libapp_trace.a
Indexing .pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_update\libapp_update.a
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\bootloader_support\src\secure_boot.c.o
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\bootloader_support\src\bootloader_random_esp32.c.o
thread 'main' panicked at 'Tool C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\packages\toolchain-xtensa-esp-elf\bin\xtensa-esp-elf-gcc-ranlib.exe is not exist', main.rs:143:5
note: run with `RUST_BACKTRACE=1` environment variable to display a backtrace
thread 'main' panicked at 'Tool C:\Users\Erik\.platformio\packages\toolchain-xtensa-esp-elf\bin\xtensa-esp-elf-gcc-ranlib.exe is not exist', main.rs:143:5
note: run with `RUST_BACKTRACE=1` environment variable to display a backtrace
Compiling .pioenvs\watermeter\bootloader_support\bootloader_flash\src\bootloader_flash.c.o
*** [.pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_trace\libapp_trace.a] Error 101
*** [.pioenvs\watermeter\esp-idf\app_update\libapp_update.a] Error 101
================================================================ [FAILED] Took 7.16 seconds ================================================================
(venv) PS C:\PortbleApps\ESPHome>

ErikDB · October 27, 2025, 9:30am

In a desperate attempt, I cleaned, cleared and deleted what I could, and now it worked:

(venv) PS C:\PortbleApps\ESPHome> esphome --verbose compile watermetertest.yaml
[...]
============================================================== [SUCCESS] Took 819.65 seconds ==============================================================
DEBUG Running:  platformio run -d 'C:\PortbleApps\ESPHome\.esphome\build\watermeter' -t idedata
DEBUG Version comparison: installed='5.3.1' vs required='5.3.1'
DEBUG tool-esp_install version 5.3.1 is already correctly installed
DEBUG tool-esp_install is available and ready
DEBUG Tool tool-esptoolpy found with correct version
DEBUG Tool toolchain-xtensa-esp-elf found with correct version
DEBUG Tool tool-mklittlefs found with correct version
DEBUG Tool tool-cmake found with correct version
DEBUG Tool tool-ninja found with correct version
DEBUG Tool tool-scons found with correct version
DEBUG Tool tool-esp-rom-elfs found with correct version
INFO Package configuration completed successfully
DEBUG Version comparison: installed='5.3.1' vs required='5.3.1'
DEBUG tool-esp_install version 5.3.1 is already correctly installed
DEBUG tool-esp_install is available and ready
DEBUG Tool tool-esptoolpy found with correct version
DEBUG Tool toolchain-xtensa-esp-elf found with correct version
DEBUG Tool tool-mklittlefs found with correct version
DEBUG Tool tool-cmake found with correct version
DEBUG Tool tool-ninja found with correct version
DEBUG Tool tool-scons found with correct version
DEBUG Tool tool-esp-rom-elfs found with correct version
INFO Package configuration completed successfully
INFO Successfully compiled program.

No idea how or why…