Improv Wi-Fi over Serial fails with ESP32 devices

[bwims]

Hello,

I am having a real problem with using the web based utility to install ESPHome on ESP32 devices.

I can install on a Wemos D1 (8266) with no trouble, but when I try with an ESP32-S2 or ESP32-S3, the software installs, but then I get the message “An error occurred. Improv Wi-Fi Serial not detected.”

Can you confirm whether this is expected, and, if not, how to debug it?

Thanks!

B.

[balloob]

Make sure you run the latest version of ESPHome as we have made some fixes for those models. Our voice assistant ready-made project works just fine with ESP32-S3 boxes https://esphome.io/projects/

[bwims]

Thanks for your speedy help! One last question, I'm currently at ESPHome 2023.8.3 / Home Assistant 2023.10.3

Is it ok to go straight to the latest version of ESPHome, or should I upgrade HA first?

[EDIT] I took a chance and went to the latest Docker version of ESPHome - 2023.12.9 but the problem is still there.
Do I need a later version?

Thanks again!

B.

[balloob]

Try the dev version. We skipped a release and it might not have been out yet.

[bwims]

Sadly no. Running Version: 2024.1.0-dev I still the error “An error occurred. Improv Wi-Fi Serial not detected.”

Just to make sure, I am trying to use https://web.esphome.io/?dashboard_wizard "Prepare For First Use"

with an ESP32 S2 Mini WIFI Board Based ESP32-S2FN4R2 4MB FLASH 2MB PSRAM

that looks like this:

I know there are workarounds, but if I can help debug it, I am willing. If there are any log files I can send, let me know where they are.

Thanks!

B.

[balloob]

I don't know about that board. In your initial report you mentioned that S3 doesn't work, but that we have working.

Try this URL https://esphome.io/projects/?type=empty

[bwims]

I did also mention S2

I can install on a Wemos D1 (8266) with no trouble, but when I try with an ESP32-S2 or ESP32-S3, the software installs, but then I get the message “An error occurred. Improv Wi-Fi Serial not detected.”

Since then I moved over to OpenHASP for the S3 device

However, I had tried the url referenced before. It performs the install ok, but afterwards there is not even an attempt at wifi configuration. The only choices offered are to reinstall or to look at the logs as shown in the screenshot below.

I can get the device working and adopted by creating an uploadable .bin fil but it is a clunky way to go.

(I actually used a tip I got from Reddit here to get the board specification right:

esp32:
  board: lolin_s2_mini
  variant: esp32s2
  framework:
    type: esp-idf

So I take it that the S2 is not supported yet by web tools? If so, can I make a plea for inclusion? I am willing to beta test!

Thanks!

B.

[bwims]

Hmm.... so is the S2 supported? Or not?

[sblantipodi]

I have the same problem on ESP32-S3 running the Glow Worm Luciferin firmware

There is a weird thing...
If I click the install button, select the device,
I get the error:
Improv initialization failed. Error: Improv Wi-Fi Serial not detected
and there is no option to configure WiFi:

but if then I click Logs and console and then Back
the option to connect to WiFi is always there

@balloob sorry if I quote you but
what does the back button that the install button does not?

[ldijkman]

I have the same problem on ESP32-S3 running the [Glow Worm Luciferin firmware](
but if then I click Logs and console and then Back the option to connect to WiFi is always there

same for me on ESP32
switch to logs and console back and forth
several times until configure wifi apears
not on esp8266 version
only on esp32
thought it was my arduino coding not good

https://ldijkman.github.io/async-esp-fs-webserver/

[TD-er]

I've also noticed this behavior.
Today I just looked into this a bit more and it looks like some kind of timeout issue in combination with not resetting the ESP right after flashing.

For example on an ESP32-C3 (USB via HWCDC, not USB to serial chip) I clicked to open the console in the webflasher menu right after flashing and I didn't even get my console output until I sent a reset via the terminal window. (thus not pressing RST button)

This could indicate the board may still have been in flash mode?
So maybe the webflasher should try a few times more to get the IMPROV response and/or need to wait a bit longer for sending the reset signal?

[sblantipodi]

@TD-er have you tried a workaround for this problem?
it is very hard to configure WiFi in this way since requires a lot of trials and errors and I don't know if all users may be able to do it without constantly reflashing the device.

[TD-er]

It is still a bit of trial-and-error as you need to toggle log-view, click "back" and see if IMPROV details are shown.

You can try and see for yourself with my ESPEasy web flasher: https://td-er.nl/ESPEasy/latest/

[sblantipodi]

I need to admit that the Tasmota version of the Web Installer works much better than this.
Sadly it's impossible to flash a lot of devices with the esphome version...

[omar10wahab]

I've also noticed this behavior. Today I just looked into this a bit more and it looks like some kind of timeout issue in combination with not resetting the ESP right after flashing.

For example on an ESP32-C3 (USB via HWCDC, not USB to serial chip) I clicked to open the console in the webflasher menu right after flashing and I didn't even get my console output until I sent a reset via the terminal window. (thus not pressing RST button)

This could indicate the board may still have been in flash mode? So maybe the webflasher should try a few times more to get the IMPROV response and/or need to wait a bit longer for sending the reset signal?

I want to emphasize what youre saying cause thats what worked for me. Power cycling/resetting/pulling usb from the computer and plugging back in multiple times eventually got everything to work for me. Weird thing was i could flash the ESPhome firmware with little to no issue using whatever steps needed but the wifi is finnicky. I thought i had a bad ESP-01S and then i went and tried a ESP-32-C3 Super mini (all these from alibaba) and it gave me the same weird wifi over serial fail message. Resetting the device multiple times until i saw logs populating with no errors and then trying made it finally work for me. I then went back to my ESP-01s and tried a similar process of unplugging and plugging back in and it finally took the wifi and connected.

Another thing to is sometimes ungplugging and restarting after everything is set still makes things work weird. Theres something to these devices like you said related to powering off incorrectly or timing out weirdly but i encourage people to try several times before giving up. especially if your board is being recognized and flashing ESP home properly.

[mjhags]

Just been banging my head on this one. To get it to work for me I literally just went to the Logs view (from https://web.esphome.io/?dashboard_wizard) which showed a blank log screen, hit Reset Device and the Logs sprang into life. After that the Wifi install worked fine.