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

SarahC

Help!

When I try uploading a sketch using Windows 10, and Arduino 1.8.15 to my Core2 I get the following:

"Connecting...................................____
A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: Timed out waiting for packet header"

If I just select the "Serial Monitor" while the Core2's plugged in - when I reboot the Core 2, the Serial Monitor shows the bootup text, so the device is definitely connected AND communicating through all the USB ports I tried.

The Core Grey I bought earlier is working fine... it flashes every time without issue.

I've tried the following:

I've used both USB cables that came with my Core Grey and Core2, and a 3rd party cable. (all three work with my Core Grey)
I've slowed down/turned off the LIFO stacks in Device Manager for COM4 - where the device appears.
I've slowed down the connection via Device Manager. (same windows as #2)
Uninstalled Arduino software, then reinstalled.
Used Device Manager to uninstall the serial drivers (ticked "From disk" too), then reinstalled by reinstalling the Arduino software.
Googled online..... only found this for a bare ESP32 board: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/solved-failed-to-connect-to-esp32-timed-out-waiting-for-packet-header/
Tried the USB 3 laptop socket (blue plastic).
Tried the USB 2 laptop socket.
Powered off the laptop and powered back on.
Removed the Core2 battery, and tried flashing again.
Tried using the esptool.exe 3.0-dev version on the command line in a temporary batch file. (same message)
Command: "esptool.exe --chip esp32 --port COM8 --baud 921600 --before default_reset --after hard_reset write_flash -z --flash_mode dio --flash_freq 80m --flash_size detect 0xe000 C:....esp32\1.0.6/tools/partitions/boot_app0.bin 0x1000 C:....esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.6/tools/sdk/bin/bootloader_dio_80m.bin 0x10000 C:....\arduino_build_567398/circles.ino.bin 0x8000 C:....\Temp\arduino_build_567398/circles.ino.partitions.bin"
Tried tapping the Reset button while "Connecting..." is being displayed.
Arduino settings: Ensured the board is "M5Stack-Core2"
Arduino settings: Tried 115200 for the upload speed.
Tried a hub plugged into the laptop.
Tried an externally powered USB 3 hub.

I've ran out of things to try!

Do I need a new Core2? How do I go about it? I don't want my money back - I love the touchscreen!

SarahC

It turned out to be my Ryzen Swift 3 USB drivers!

After updating them the problem resolved.