ESP32-S3-DEVKITM-1U flashing error: No serial data received

[arvind___balajee]

Hi everyone,
I’m currently using the ESP32-S3-DEVKITM-1U board with ESP-IDF v5.5.1-dirty, and I’m trying to run the basic blink LED example. However, I keep running into the following error during flashing:

A fatal error occurred: Failed to connect to ESP32: No serial data received.
For troubleshooting steps visit: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esp ... oting.html
CMake Error at run_serial_tool.cmake:67 (message):
C:/Esp/Espressif/python_env/idf5.5_py3.11_env/Scripts/python.exe;;C:/Esp/Espressif/frameworks/esp-idf-v5.5.1/components/esptool_py/esptool/esptool.py;--chip;esp32 failed.
ninja: build stopped: subcommand failed.

I’ve already tried several solutions mentioned in the Espressif forums and on Reddit — including checking the COM port, using different USB cables, pressing and holding BOOT while pressing RESET, and even reinstalling the ESP-IDF environment — but none of these worked.

In cases where I hold BOOT while pressing RESET, or disconnect the ESP board and reconnect it while holding BOOT, the COM port is not recognized at all. When I check in Device Manager, instead of showing as COMx, it appears under libusb-win32 devices → USB JTAG/Serial debug unit (Interface 0).

Has anyone faced a similar issue with the ESP32-S3-DEVKITM-1U specifically on ESP-IDF v5.5.1? I’d appreciate any suggestions on what might be causing the board not to respond or if there’s any known workaround for this version.

Thanks in advance!

[Sprite]

In cases where I hold BOOT while pressing RESET, or disconnect the ESP board and reconnect it while holding BOOT, the COM port is not recognized at all. When I check in Device Manager, instead of showing as COMx, it appears under libusb-win32 devices → USB JTAG/Serial debug unit (Interface 0).

Potentially a driver issue; did you mess with Zadig in the past possibly? Generally, the USB-jtag-serial device is what you want to see, but it should also show up as a serial port you can use to flash the device.

[arvind___balajee]

@Sprite
Thanks for the response!
Yeah, I think I did use Zadig a while back for something else, but I honestly don’t remember what exactly I did with it. That might have messed up the driver for the ESP32-S3. Could you please guide me on how to fix or reinstall the correct driver so that it shows up properly as a COM port again?

Thanks in advance!

[Sprite]

Sorry, I'm not a Windows user so I have no idea.

[arvind___balajee]

@Sprite
Thank you for pointing out Zadig!!! That was exactly the issue! I found out the problem, fixed it, and everything’s working perfectly now. Really appreciate your help!

[Sprite]

Glad you managed to make it work!