Invalid head of Packet (0x08) despite being able to access REPL. (ESPTOOL-1347)

[confusedcatgirl]

Operating System

Windows 11

Esptool Version

v5.3.0

Python Version

Python 3.11.7

Chip Description

Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-1.69

Device Description

No other hardware. Just the device out of the box, attached directly to my computer with an USB cable, no hubs.

Hardware Configuration

No.

How is Esptool Run

Windows Terminal, VSCode Terminal

Full Esptool Command Line that Was Run

No response

Esptool Output

PS C:\Users\Blorb> esptool.exe -c esp32s3 --trace --baud 960 read-flash-status
esptool v5.3.0
Found 1 serial ports...
Serial port COM1:
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 +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b
.
  TRACE +0.060   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.000   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.001   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.000   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.002   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- 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 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer:
.
  TRACE +0.709   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.001   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.001   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b
.
  TRACE +0.058   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.000   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.001   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.000   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b
.
  TRACE +0.211   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.000   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.002   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.060   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.000   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.001   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b
.
  TRACE +0.058   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.712   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.000   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.002   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.001   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- 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 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.001   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b
.
  TRACE +0.058   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.001   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.211   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b
.
  TRACE +0.060   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.061   --- 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 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.001   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.000   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.001   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.001   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.712   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.000   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer:
.
  TRACE +0.058   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.060   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.002   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.001   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.211   --- 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 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer:
.
  TRACE +0.058   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.000   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
  TRACE +0.060   --- 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 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer:
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.000   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.002   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b
.
  TRACE +0.059   --- Cmd SYNC (0x08) | data_len 36 | wait_response 1 | timeout 0.100 | data
    0707122055555555 5555555555555555 | ... UUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    55555555                          | UUUU ---
  TRACE +0.001   Write 46 bytes:
    c000082400000000 0007071220555555 | ...$........ UUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555555555 | UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
    5555555555555555 5555555555c0     | UUUUUUUUUUUUU.
  TRACE +0.001   Read 1 bytes:         08
  TRACE +0.000   Read invalid data: 08
  TRACE +0.000   Remaining data in serial buffer: 1b5b4b24
.
COM1 failed to connect: Failed to connect to ESP32-S3: Invalid head of packet (0x08): Possible serial noise or corruption.
For troubleshooting steps visit: https://docs.espressif.com/projects/esptool/en/latest/troubleshooting.html

A fatal error occurred: Could not connect to an Espressif device on any of the 1 available serial ports.

More Information

Tried several cables, occurs on both cables, just on this device, not on the Waveshare ESP32-S3-LCD-1.28. Micropython can be used like normal, however, due to the lack of ESPTool working, I cannot flash another image with a working Display driver.
As you can see, I also tried reducing baud. This happens on every command too. This Error suddenly occured out of nowhere, and hasn't gone away despite attempting a reboot of my system.

Other Steps to Reproduce

No.

I Have Read the Troubleshooting Guide

• I confirm I have read the troubleshooting guide.

[github-actions]

Hi @confusedcatgirl! Please be aware that (1) the following suggestions are generated by a bot and haven't been fact-checked by Espressif Systems, (2) burning eFuses and enabling security features are irreversible operations and can damage your ESP32 device. We hope that this message will help you until an Espressif Engineer looks at your issue.

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Looking at the trace output, the key clues are:

1. The chip is responding — esptool is receiving data (Read 1 bytes: 08), so the serial connection is alive.
2. 0x08 is being echoed back — The byte 0x08 is the SYNC command identifier itself. The chip is not responding with a valid SLIP packet starting with 0xC0; instead it appears to be echoing back the command byte.
3. Remaining buffer contains 1b5b4b / 1b5b4b24 — These are ANSI escape sequences (ESC[K and ESC[K$), which are terminal control codes. This strongly indicates the chip is running a MicroPython REPL (or similar interactive firmware) that is interpreting the incoming bytes as terminal input and responding with terminal escape sequences, rather than being in ROM download mode.

The chip is NOT in download/bootloader mode — it is running MicroPython.

Here are the steps to resolve this:

1. Enter Download Mode Manually

The Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-1.69 may not have automatic reset-into-bootloader circuitry, or it may not be triggering correctly. Try entering download mode manually:

1. Hold the BOOT button on the board.
2. While holding BOOT, press and release the RESET (EN) button.
3. Release the BOOT button.
4. Then run your esptool command immediately.

[Boot Mode Selection]

2. Close Any Other Serial Connections

Make sure no other application (e.g., a MicroPython IDE, Thonny, PuTTY, VS Code serial monitor) is connected to the COM port. If another tool holds the REPL open, esptool cannot take control of the serial line or trigger a reset into download mode.

3. Check Autoreset Circuitry

If the board has RTS/DTR-based autoreset, verify it is wired correctly. Some Waveshare boards may have non-standard reset circuitry. [Common Errors]

4. Try a Different USB Port / Cable

Although you've tried multiple cables, also try different USB ports directly on the PC (avoid hubs). [Common Errors]

Summary

The root cause here is almost certainly that the chip is not entering download mode — it stays in MicroPython REPL, which echoes back the 0x08 byte and sends ANSI escape sequences. The Invalid head of packet (0x08) error confirms esptool is receiving the echoed command byte instead of a valid bootloader response. Manually triggering download mode (BOOT + RESET) is the most likely fix.

[Dzarda7]

Hello @confusedcatgirl, as proposed in the response, you need to get chip into download mode manually, this is the issue of esp32s3 when using USB PHY. When you initialize USB in your app, control signals like DTR and RTS cannot be used to get chip into download mode and you need to do it manually, in this case you need to enter download mode, flash chip and again manually reset chip. When you flash for example hello_world it is not necessary to do all this, just connect, flash and esptool will reset the chip.