ESP32 Forum

Is it possible to program a ESP32-S3 via the Rx &Tx pins?

I have a ESP32-S3 UNO and the USB connector has come off!

I have tried to reattach it, but to no avail.

The reason it became detached is due to the poorly designed mechanical fixing of the USB-C connector.

It is soldered to the board, BUT the fixing pin depth is less than the PCB thickness.

I suspect that this will be a problem with all of the USB-C board connectors.

So, any tips as how to program this board without using the USB port?

Thanks

Is that the one shown here?

If so, maybe? The ESP32 can be programmed using TxD/RxD, it's what that board does via the CH340 USB-to-parallel converter. The fly in the ointment could be that that chip 'fights' any external signal you may apply to those pins; in that case, desoldering or cutting it off may help. To be fair, I'd fix it in a different way: that CH340 is big enough to solder wires to; I'd just get a cheap USB breakout board and solder GND/VCC/D+/D- to that chip directly.

Hi @Sprite

Yes, my board is like the that one, but with a 16 pin CH340.

I implemented your second fix of soldering directly to the CH340.

Fortunately I had a USB breakout board in my 'goodie box'.

I did however, find soldering difficult; it was so easy to create a solder short between adjacent pins, even with using a fine point iron.

Many thanks for your response.