Inkplate 2 display only updates after reconnecting flat cable

TECHNICAL SUPPORT Inkplate
1

Customer:

I’m trying to run the Inkplate2_Daily_Weather_Station example. The debug output shows successful WiFi connection, buffer loading, NTP time sync, and the message “Drawing on the screen”, but the display doesn’t change. It did work initially, but now it’s not updating anymore.

Debug output:

18:23:25.674 -> Connected to WiFi network with IP Address: .68
18:23:25.708 -> Loading buffer...
18:23:27.872 -> Buffer load complete!
18:23:27.872 -> Waiting for NTP time sync: ......
18:23:30.866 -> Current time: Fri Sep 8 18:23:30 2023
18:23:30.866 -> Drawing on the screen
18:23:33.060 -> Going to deep sleep, bye

Originally submitted via email support on 8 September 2023. Migrated to the forum for community visibility.

2

Customer:

I installed Inkplate library 8.1.0 and board 7.0.0 with Arduino IDE 1.8.19.

3

Soldered Support:

Inkplate 2 sometimes loses contact over the flat cable. To fix this:

  1. Power off Inkplate 2 and unplug it
  2. Turn it over to see the flat cable connector
  3. Un-attach the latches which hold the flat cable in place on the connector
  4. Remove the flat cable from the connection, and then re-insert it securely
  5. Pull back the latches which hold the cable

Then plug in the board and see if the display refreshes.

Attachment omitted in migration: image.png

4

Customer:

I tried to open and close the connector. It worked the first time, but when I put it back in the case it didn’t work anymore. I’m quite disappointed.

5

Soldered Support:

So the Inkplate 2 changes the picture and outputs data on Serial when it’s outside of the case, but as soon as you place it inside, the display stops updating? Does data also print on Serial when it’s in the case (to indicate that the code is running)?

I have seen before that users reconnect the Inkplate 2 flat-cable only half-way. The flat cable needs to enter all the way into the connector before closing the latches - it’s a bit tricky but possible.

Try uploading this modified black-white-red example with some prints on the Serial monitor: https://pastebin.com/raw/tDTzuALR

Upload this code and open Serial monitor at 115200 baud in Arduino. It should print some messages.

Make sure you have the latest version of the Inkplate library and board definition, secure the screen properly as described, and place it in the case - it should work the same as when it’s out of the case.

Attachment omitted in migration: image.png

Attachment omitted in migration: image.png

6

Customer:

The display doesn’t work, or rather it only works the first time. Here’s what happens:

  1. Load the sketch into ESP32
  2. Reset board with button
  3. The display does not work (no change)
  4. Open the connector and close it
  5. Reset board with button
  6. The display works
  7. Reset board with button
  8. The display does not work

I don’t understand where the problem is.

7

Soldered Support:

Could you please try with library version 7.0.0 and see if it works? That one has Inkplate 2’s driver as it was originally written, and we did make some modifications for how the panels wake/go to deep sleep. If this fixes the issue, I’ll know almost exactly what it is. If this does not fix the issue, I’ll consult colleagues to find what exactly is wrong.

8

Customer:

I’m sorry to tell you but it does not work. It stopped working, and I’m sure that opening and closing the connector and pushing the reset button will make it work again. I think the problem is hardware.

9

Soldered Support:

Which example were you testing? The OpenWeather examples have recently gone through changes with API key policy so they might cause errors which could cause Inkplate to reset or get data wrong from the API call.

If you were testing the OpenWeather examples with Library 7.0.0, please test the blackWhiteRed example. This example should always work and refresh the screen when Inkplate is on.

If you were actually testing the blackWhiteRed example and it still doesn’t work, I will have to declare it a hardware issue.

10

Customer:

I wanted to make a video to show what happened, but when I inserted the USB-C cable to record the serial monitor, the ESP32 rebooted and updated the display correctly.

Maybe the battery was dead? It worked fine for 4 days then stopped. Is there a way to see what the battery charge is?

11

Soldered Support:

Inkplate 2 doesn’t have a fuel gauge to read the battery status.

You can, however, use a multimeter to measure the battery’s voltage. When fully charged, a 3.7V Li-ion battery typically has a voltage of around 4.2V. When fully discharged or “empty,” the voltage will typically be around 3.0V or slightly below. To charge the battery, leave it in Inkplate and plug in via USB for a longer period of time.