NSPanel: ESPHome installs but no runtime output, no boot after power cycle

ESPHome
1

I’m trying to flash ESPHome onto an NSPanel that originally came pre-flashed from AmpliPi.

Hardware:

  • NSPanel (originally from AmpliPi)
  • DSD TECH SH-U09C5 USB-to-TTL UART Converter (FTDI-based, selectable voltage)
  • I wired GND, TX, RX, and VCC (used VCC because I wasn’t sure where to source 3.3V)

Software:

  • Running ESPHome Device Builder in Docker
  • Created a new device, configured WiFi, built the default firmware (.bin)
  • Downloaded the generated bin file
  • Used https://web.esphome.io/ to flash

Flashing completes successfully, but:

  • The log window in the web flasher is always empty
  • After flashing, I get: “An error occurred. Improv Wi-Fi Serial not detected”
  • If I manually power-cycle, I still see no serial logs

After reassembling the panel and powering it via PoE (Ethernet), nothing happens — the display remains blank and does not boot.

Has anyone seen this behavior where flashing succeeds but there are no runtime serial logs and the device does not boot afterward?

Any guidance on whether this is likely wiring, power, incorrect firmware target (ESP32 vs S3), or something specific to NSPanel hardware would be appreciated.

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PXL_20260226_0523565472048×1542 293 KB

2

ESPhome Discord is another good place to ask this question.

3

Confused! Wasn’t aware the NSPanel’s had PoE or even an Ethernet connection, mine don’t. Not familiar with the Pro version though, what model are we referring to?

4

I have no knowledge of the NSPanel, so my comment may be completely irrelevant and wrong.

It is generally advised that the target device NOT be powered from the USB-to-TTL adapter as the 5v to 3v3 regulator on the adapter may not be able to supply sufficient current during the flashing process.

Have you tried powering the NSPanel normally (5v supply?) and just connect GND, TX and RX between the converter and the panel to flash it?

5

I don’t think anywhere on the board it says 5v input. On the other hand it does say 3.3V. As this is dangerous topic - my understanding is if I supply wrong voltage it might fry a board (but my understanding is very limited) Im not gonna entertain this further. However supplying 3.3V with more amps than the flashing adapter can provide is probably good idea. However I don’t have a extra power source which could do that.

But I do have some good news. I discovered NS Panel Manager. Which entails modernized way of managing NSPanels - meaning there is a docker image (Or home assistant app) which lets users manage the panels from the web UI. So I followed this tutorial. The one takeaway is after NSPanel is flashed the fact its dormant is by design. In my case it start broadcasting WiFi AP NsPanelSomething which I connected to with computer and configured its WiFi access MQTT and other things. And after that it works fine. So everything worked as expected except I didn’t know the next steps… Always RTFM :slight_smile: (read the friendly manual)

6

I got it from here https://www.amplipro.com/product-page/amplipro-wall-panel