esptool fails sporadically, idf.py flash required
Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2026 12:18 pm
After flashing ~150 custom ESP32C3 boards, 5 fail to connect using https://github.com/espressif/esptool v5.3.0/v5.3.1
They either: throw 'Possible serial noise or corruption (0x45)', 'Guru Meditation Error (illegal instruction)' or hangs after 'Running stub flasher...'
But flashing with https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf v5.5.5 `idf.py flash` works and after this successful flash, the esptool works as expected.
Any idea why this is the case?
They either: throw 'Possible serial noise or corruption (0x45)', 'Guru Meditation Error (illegal instruction)' or hangs after 'Running stub flasher...'
But flashing with https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf v5.5.5 `idf.py flash` works and after this successful flash, the esptool works as expected.
Any idea why this is the case?