Strange ESP32 C3 SuperMini

[json2024]

The ESP32 C3 SuperMini CAN NOT connect to WIFI normally when using a pin female header.

Once a pin female header is used, the ESP32 C3 SuperMini fails to connect to WIFI.

Even just connecting a pin header socket to pin 21 causes WIFI connection failure.

As long as pin 21 is not connected to the pin header socket, everything works fine.
If a pin header socket is not used and instead jumper wires are used, everything works normally.
Also, I have confirmed that there are no issues with the pin header socket, such as short circuits.
I have tested two ESP32 C3 SuperMini boards and both have experienced the issue.

What could be the reason for this?

2024092901.png (3.78 MiB) Viewed 4586 times

Here are some related debug output messages:

[206533][D][WiFiGeneric.cpp:1035] _eventCallback(): Arduino Event: 5 - STA_DISCONNECTED
[206542][W][WiFiGeneric.cpp:1057] _eventCallback(): Reason: 2 - AUTH_EXPIRE
[206549][D][WiFiGeneric.cpp:1081] _eventCallback(): WiFi AutoReconnect Running
[206565][V][WiFiGeneric.cpp:97] set_esp_interface_ip(): Configuring Station static IP: 0.0.0.0, MASK: 0.0.0.0, GW: 0.0.0.0
[208304][V][WiFiGeneric.cpp:362] _arduino_event_cb(): STA Disconnected: SSID: CHEN, BSSID: 24:cc:24:a1:c1:05, Reason: 2
[208304][D][WiFiGeneric.cpp:1035] _eventCallback(): Arduino Event: 5 - STA_DISCONNECTED
[208313][W][WiFiGeneric.cpp:1057] _eventCallback(): Reason: 2 - AUTH_EXPIRE
[208320][D][WiFiGeneric.cpp:1081] _eventCallback(): WiFi AutoReconnect Running

[Basalt]

Looking at the photo, I have doubts whether the ceramic WiFi antenna (red rectangular) is soldered properly.
I would resolder it manually to see if it helps.

[Sprite]

Might be a bad module; it's known that some manufacturer of boards marked as C3-supermini messed up their routing leading to crap WiFi performance.

[vbPhil]

I guess this problem still persists. My order from Amazon definitely has this problem. I've been searching the Internet for some possible fixes but it appears to be pcb layout related so these units are trash.
I was going to use the Supermini as my replacement for the esp8266 D1- Mini that are also showing up with issues (won't wake up from deep sleep). I'm tired of these Chinese knock offs.
Thought I might try the Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3.