Issues flashing FW to Heltec V4

I just got my Heltec V4 today, but after a few hours of trying I simply cannot flash meshtactic on it. I've only tried v2.7.x versions.

I consistently get "NetworkError: Failed to execute 'open' on 'SerialPort': Failed to open serial port"

I've tried all combinations mentioned in this thread but nothing seems to work.

I am on Linux mint, I've tried both chromium and chrome, I've tried different usb-cables (both A-C and C-C, all with verified data connections)

I can see the device with lsusb as "Espressif USB JTAG/serial debug unit"

Anyone know where I need to look for a solution? This has been a seriously shitty start to my meshtastic adventure.

8 points · 11 comments · view on lemmy.world

11 Comments

shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 202d (10 replies)

You might have to add your user account to the Dialout group. I won't swear to that, but it might be a thing.

ExcessShiv@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 2 pts · 202d (8 replies)

This was exactly it! Added my user to dialout and it worked right away

shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 202d (6 replies)

I'm glad to hear it. The thing that made me think of it is that I tried to download the command line interface and it gave me an error connecting to it, telling me that I had to be in the dialogue group just recently.

ExcessShiv@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 202d (5 replies)

Seems there are no nodes within reach of me though 🤥 at least not with a handheld device and the antenna it came with...

shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 202d (4 replies)

Well, that's definitely no fun. Have you checked meshmap.net? It's a voluntary map where people can put themselves on it if they want to.

ExcessShiv@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 202d (3 replies)

Hm, yeah closest one on meshmap is ~65km away. But there should be a rooftop node about 26km from me with a large-ish omni antenna according to the local meshtastic discord

shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip · 1 pts · 202d (2 replies)

In that case, if you can get a node on your roof or something like that, you might have a chance of picking that one up.

ExcessShiv@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 202d

if you can get a node on your roof or something like that

Yeah the WAF of the aesthetics in that solution is probably not high enough for that to be an option

ArcaneSlime@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 1 pts · 197d

I'm gonna be pissed if this fixes my issue lol, I'm supposed to already be in the damn dialout group (and as such can flash my baofeng through CHIRP; and my t114, and my sensecap tracker with the webflasher.) I'll boot up later and check.

random_character_a@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 202d

I gotta try this. I haven't been able to webflash any of my Heltec V3 boards on my raspberry pi 400 for some time now.

esptool was worked fine instead, so I haven't tried to troubleshoot it.