[Bug]: Heltec v3 unstable node<>app connection and connection related restarts

[Zanop]

Category

WiFi, Other

Hardware

Heltec V3

Is this bug report about any UI component firmware like InkHUD or Meshtatic UI (MUI)?

• Meshtastic UI aka MUI colorTFT
• InkHUD ePaper
• OLED slide UI on any display

Firmware Version

2.6.11.60ec05e

Description

Hi,

I am relatively new to meshtastic, I have been playing with it for about a month and a half. My first deice was Heltec V3. At first I used my Heltec V3 with BT and I often had the issue where on first connect it will appear connected to the android app but won't load settings sections (the load popup stays at 0% until I cancel it) or will hang if I try to send messages. Disconnect/reconnect fixed that usually. But its annoying because seems to happen very often.
Then I had my heltec v3 configured to use wifi but since I had frequent hangs during connect where it won't finish connecting and will stay at "module config 8/13" for example, I decided to switch back to BT to see how is the behavior there.
Since I have done that I can not enter the 'Network' settings anymore. Every time I try to enter Settings->Network the node restarts showing the meshtastic logo on screen. I can sometimes open the Network section via serial but that also leads to restarts most of the time.
Simply trying to connect to the serial also leads to restarts unless I disconnect/connect the cable first.
When connecting with the android app, in all modes(BT/Wifi/Serial) the app often shows connected but the node is unresponsive until I disconnect/connect again.

I tried restarting, reflashing, factory reset, nodedb reset, reflashing with 'Full erase and install', still have the problem.

I have sensecap t1000e and I dont have any of these issues with it.

I realize this sounds like a few different issues but since they are all related to the app<>node connectivity I feel they might be connected.

King regards,
Vlado

Relevant log output

[witwilinski]

Had it on Heltec V4 as well. Happenes on 2.7.13 till now. I was even not able to switch to WiFi.
Used usb-serial with the mobile app to configure node to use WiFi.
On bluetooth, the board would reboot on any configuration change. Not related to power supply (battery + 3Amp power connected)

[Zanop]

Well at this point I almost use it as infra sittin by the window in the attic to extend the reach of my sensecap. I have noticed lately that I had missing messages that I had on the sensecap but not on the heltec v3 and since I get almost everything on the sensecap through the heltec they should have almost the same message log. I guess they get lost during those connectivity freezes when I have to cancel the connection because it's frozen in the middle.

[braxvang-tidewater]

In general, client connections to my Heltec V3 over wifi have been very unstable as well. Sometimes my client will hang when connecting, specifically the android app, when I first reconnect to my wifi when getting home. The dropped / missing messages issue you mentioned sounds like another that I am also running into, this issue is documented further in #8507 .