Failed to connect to ESP8266: Timed out waiting for packer header

[wouter-jacobs]

When I try to upload the sketch I get the following error in the terminal: Failed to connect to ESP8266: Timed out waiting for packer header. Does anyone have an idea to solve this? Been trying for hour

[visualapproach]

Do you have a data USB cable, as opposed to a charging cable?
I had some issues with platformio update today but a restart everything in da house solved it.

[wouter-jacobs]

[visualapproach]

Don't see any obvious shorts. So shouldn't be it. And unless you really toasted it I don't think you destroyed the ESP either.
Do you have another ESP to try stand alone without the PCB? Or use Arduino IDE to just upload anything to see if it's the ESP or VS that is not working.

[wouter-jacobs]

first of all thanks for taking the time to help. just ordered an extra ESP. This will be delivered tomorrow. Will test tomorrow night with the new separate ESP. If this works, can I solder it to the pcb after uploading the sketch? or will this cause problems?

[visualapproach]

No problem. Yes that's a good way to minimize the potential failure points. And if you can, use female headers instead of soldering directly to the board. Much easier to troubleshoot and fix things :)

[wouter-jacobs]

Just ordered the female headers. I should have done right away. Tomorrow I will give an update. Good evening!

[visualapproach]

Morning, long shot, but maybe changing the baudrate will do the trick. Find "platformio.ini" and comment out the "upload_speed = 921600" parameter by putting a semicolon in front. Ctrl+s to save. Compile and upload.

[wouter-jacobs]

Thanks for the tip. still the same error. Just tried to connect to Arduino IDE. Here I get the same error.

esptool.FatalError: Failed to connect to ESP8266: Timed out waiting for packet header

I think this allows us to conclude that the problem is in the ESP?

[visualapproach]

Yes I'd think so. I discovered that the host name "layzspa.local" didn't work on one of my computers when uploading over the air, so I had to put the ip number instead but that's not your problem since you use usb.

[wouter-jacobs]

Just unpacked the new nodeMCU and handed it to the computer. And with results. The filesystem image upload went well. Now I find out that I ordered a SP8266 12 F instead of the SP8266 12 E. Is this a problem? When I google this I read that the 12F has a better optimized antenna but is actually equal to the 12E version..

[visualapproach]

should not be a problem as long as it fits physically in the pcb. Great that it works now.

[wouter-jacobs]

It seems to work. There is a wifi network online called Lay-Z-Spa module. For this I have to enter a password. Does this match the manual? I was expecting an access point called "Auto portal"..

[visualapproach]

I don't remember but the password should be the same. Otherwise check out the config.h file. (Not at computer now)

[wouter-jacobs]

Good morning, now put the PCB in the pump and it has been running for 24 hours. Everything seemed to be going well until this morning. The lights on the display were still on, but I could no longer operate them. After a reset of both the pump and the ESP, I no longer get any lights on the display. The ESP does come online and I can turn on the pump / heater, but it turns off after 5 seconds.

[visualapproach]

Select branch on the GitHub page from master to development, or if you synced vs code you can do it there too

[wouter-jacobs]

Thanks for the tip the dev. version found!

I'm going to try the new version and will report if this solution works for me.

One last question.. do I have to delete the previous version first or will it be overwritten if I use this Dev. version on the ESP via USB

[visualapproach]

It will overwrite. Upload new html files also if they are newer. Via web ui 'upload.html'

[wouter-jacobs]

The new DEV version is on the ESP. Had the pcb in the pump. The pump can now be operated via remote control. Only the display of the pump remains off. If I remove the pcb the screen works. Do I still need to make an adjustment to my PCB? Strange that it worked for 24 hours...

[visualapproach]

Check your solder joints and cables

[wouter-jacobs]

Good morning, yesterday I assembled the new module. A new installation on the NodeMCU (dev version 29-06) with a newly soldered TXS0108E level converter. The pump starts up and operates via web module and display on the pump. After a few hours, the pump jammed again. Just like a week ago. Then with a different software version and a different NodeMCU. The circulation pump is still running and the LED lights on the pump are on. The control panel does not respond and the web module no longer works. No idea what to try now...

[visualapproach]

Morning! The fact that it works a couple of hours makes me think it must be something physical that changes. Poor solders or wires that just makes contact initially may disconnect due to vibrations, thermal expansion, moisture etc.

[wouter-jacobs]

Thanks for your response. I will prepare a second PCB this coming weekend. luckily I now work with the female header pins. Hope this new PCB solves the problem.

[wouter-jacobs]

Just remember that I used a new pcb board after all. The only thing I have reused are the wires with connector. Could a cable that is too long be the cause of the jamming?

[visualapproach]

Or a broken cable...