ESP8266 timed out waiting for packet header

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I’m trying to upload a sketch to ESP8266 Thing using FTDI Basic board with Arduino IDE. I have FTDI Basic board connected to usb port on macbook, 2nd usb cable plugged to wall wart for power. Using Arduino 1.8.13 with updated boards and libraries. It compiles then gets error uploading:

Arduino: 1.8.13 (Mac OS X), Board: “SparkFun ESP8266 Thing, 80 MHz, Flash, Legacy (new can return nullptr), All SSL ciphers (most compatible), 512KB (FS:32KB OTA:~230KB), v2 Lower Memory, Disabled, None, Only Sketch, 115200”

Executable segment sizes:

IROM : 228624 - code in flash (default or ICACHE_FLASH_ATTR)

IRAM : 26752 / 32768 - code in IRAM (ICACHE_RAM_ATTR, ISRs…)

DATA : 1248 ) - initialized variables (global, static) in RAM/HEAP

RODATA : 688 ) / 81920 - constants (global, static) in RAM/HEAP

BSS : 24880 ) - zeroed variables (global, static) in RAM/HEAP

Sketch uses 257312 bytes (55%) of program storage space. Maximum is 466928 bytes.

Global variables use 26816 bytes (32%) of dynamic memory, leaving 55104 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 81920 bytes.

esptool.py v2.8

Serial port /dev/cu.usbserial-AB0JPWG2

Connecting…

Chip is ESP8266EX

Features: WiFi

Crystal is 26MHz

MAC: c8:2b:96:09:27:79

Uploading stub…

Traceback (most recent call last):

File “/Users/davidblythe/Library/Arduino15/packages/esp8266/hardware/esp8266/2.7.4/tools/upload.py”, line 65, in

esptool.main(cmdline)

File “/Users/davidblythe/Library/Arduino15/packages/esp8266/hardware/esp8266/2.7.4/tools/esptool/esptool.py”, line 2909, in main

esp = esp.run_stub()

File “/Users/davidblythe/Library/Arduino15/packages/esp8266/hardware/esp8266/2.7.4/tools/esptool/esptool.py”, line 633, in run_stub

self.mem_block(stub[field][from_offs], seq)

File “/Users/davidblythe/Library/Arduino15/packages/esp8266/hardware/esp8266/2.7.4/tools/esptool/esptool.py”, line 536, in mem_block

return self.check_command(“write to target RAM”, self.ESP_MEM_DATA,

File “/Users/davidblythe/Library/Arduino15/packages/esp8266/hardware/esp8266/2.7.4/tools/esptool/esptool.py”, line 369, in check_command

val, data = self.command(op, data, chk, timeout=timeout)

File “/Users/davidblythe/Library/Arduino15/packages/esp8266/hardware/esp8266/2.7.4/tools/esptool/esptool.py”, line 347, in command

p = self.read()

File “/Users/davidblythe/Library/Arduino15/packages/esp8266/hardware/esp8266/2.7.4/tools/esptool/esptool.py”, line 292, in read

return next(self._slip_reader)

File “/Users/davidblythe/Library/Arduino15/packages/esp8266/hardware/esp8266/2.7.4/tools/esptool/esptool.py”, line 2045, in slip_reader

raise FatalError(“Timed out waiting for packet %s” % waiting_for)

esptool.FatalError: Timed out waiting for packet header

esptool.FatalError: Timed out waiting for packet header

This report would have more information with

“Show verbose output during compilation”

option enabled in File → Preferences.

I tried the troubleshooting tips in the hookup guide but didn’t get anywhere. I’ve read all the ESP 8266 posts in the forum but can’t find an answer. Can you suggest anything? Otherwise I’ll have to find a different solution for IOT project.

Thanks

[TS-Brandon]

Can you please share a picture of your setup?

[MoreCowbell]

Thanks for the quick reply. I’m not sure how to add a photo, tell me if this works

. If you look closely the FTDI board is labeled as 5v, but I cut the trace and soldered a jumper to make it 3.3v. I tested it’s output with voltmeter before plugging it in. The usb cable on the ESP8266 goes to a wall wart for power. The usb cable from FTDI board goes to usb port on macbook.

/Users/davidblythe/Documents/Arduino/esp8266 setup.jpg

[MoreCowbell]

Sorry, Brandon, I don’t know how to attach an image, but my set up is exactly the same as the one in the hookup guide labeled “Method 1 - 2 usb cables” :

https://cdn.sparkfun.com/r/600-600/asse … -thing.jpg

[TS-Brandon]

That aside: What upload speeds have you tried besides 115200?

[MoreCowbell]

I tried changing upload speed in the Tools Menu. Tried every setting, and got the same fatal error.

[TS-Brandon]

Do you have access to a different computer, like a Windows machine, to eliminate the Mac being an issue. I use a Mac and sometimes it throws weird wrenches my way.

Try also reverting back to older installations of the Arduino IDE. Something in 1.8.13 could’ve broke it