esp32-c5 resetting via RTS doesn't work when primary console is USB Serial/JTAG
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2026 1:18 am
Hi.
I'm trying the basic esp-idf console example on an xiao esp32c5 board (schematic).
When I configure the primary console to be USB/JTAG and disable the secondary console - all idf tooling looses the ability to put the board into download mode, reset, flash, etc...
The device is still present in the system as before, same USB descriptor, same /dev/ttyACM0 handle:
But it just seems to not respond when esptool attempts to reset it
Am I missing something?
I'm trying the basic esp-idf console example on an xiao esp32c5 board (schematic).
When I configure the primary console to be USB/JTAG and disable the secondary console - all idf tooling looses the ability to put the board into download mode, reset, flash, etc...
Code: Select all
# CONFIG_ESP_CONSOLE_UART_DEFAULT is not set
CONFIG_ESP_CONSOLE_USB_SERIAL_JTAG=y
CONFIG_ESP_CONSOLE_SECONDARY_NONE=y
The device is still present in the system as before, same USB descriptor, same /dev/ttyACM0 handle:
Code: Select all
Jun 17 20:55:12 pc kernel: cdc_acm 1-3:1.0: ttyACM0: USB ACM device
Jun 17 20:55:36 pc kernel: usb 1-3: USB disconnect, device number 30
Jun 17 20:55:59 pc kernel: usb 1-3: new full-speed USB device number 31 using xhci_hcd
Jun 17 20:55:59 pc kernel: usb 1-3: New USB device found, idVendor=303a, idProduct=1001, bcdDevice= 1.02
Jun 17 20:55:59 pc kernel: usb 1-3: New USB device strings: Mfr=1, Product=2, SerialNumber=3
Jun 17 20:55:59 pc kernel: usb 1-3: Product: USB JTAG/serial debug unit
Jun 17 20:55:59 pc kernel: usb 1-3: Manufacturer: Espressif
Jun 17 20:55:59 pc kernel: usb 1-3: SerialNumber: D0:CF:13:...
Jun 17 20:55:59 pc kernel: cdc_acm 1-3:1.0: ttyACM0: USB ACM device
But it just seems to not respond when esptool attempts to reset it
Code: Select all
esptool --trace --port /dev/ttyACM0 read-mac
esptool v5.3.dev3
Serial port /dev/ttyACM0:
Connecting...
TRACE +0.000 --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
55555555 | UUUU ---
TRACE +0.000 Write 46 bytes:
c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
5555555555555555 5555555555c0 | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
A serial exception error occurred: Write timeout
Note: This error originates from pySerial. It is likely not a problem with esptool, but with the hardware connection or drivers.
For troubleshooting steps visit: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esptool/en/latest/troubleshooting.html