Inkplate 10 upload fails with "No serial data received" error

TECHNICAL SUPPORT Inkplate
1

Customer:

I followed the setup instructions and everything worked fine, but when I tried to upload one of the examples from the basic folder, it doesn’t work. The sketch compiles for about 10 minutes and then gives this error:

Sketch uses 310169 bytes (9%) of program storage space. Maximum is 3145728 bytes.
Global variables use 32016 bytes (9%) of dynamic memory, leaving 295664 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 327680 bytes.
esptool.py v4.2.1
Serial port COM3
Connecting……………………………….
A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: No serial data received.
For troubleshooting steps visit: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esptool/en/latest/troubleshooting.html
Failed uploading: uploading error: exit status 2

I’ve verified that the correct USB port and board are selected. I’ve tried:

  • Setting upload speed to 115200 (was previously 921600)
  • Different USB-C cables
  • Different computers
  • Different USB ports
  • Old Arduino IDE and new IDE (both up to date)
  • All possible combinations of these

Originally submitted via email support on 26 October 2023. Migrated to the forum for community visibility.

2

Customer:

I just realized the Inkplate was powered off the whole time. It was positioned in the enclosure so the power button wasn’t accessible, so when I tried to turn it on, it remained off.

3

Soldered Support:

The documentation is being revised to add a clear indication that the Inkplate should be turned on via the power switch.