Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board Not Responding After Flashing SD Card

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing issues with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit where the device fails to respond after flashing the SD card with JetPack version 5.1.1. Symptoms include:

• The Jetson Orin Nano does not enter device mode automatically when connected to a Linux host.
• Users cannot retrieve the device’s PID (Product ID) and VID (Vendor ID), indicating that the device is not being recognized by the host system.
• This issue typically occurs immediately after re-flashing the SD card without any additional configuration or changes made to the system.

The problem appears to be consistent, as multiple users have reported similar experiences, indicating a potential common cause related to the flashing process or compatibility issues between JetPack versions and the hardware.

Possible Causes

1. Incompatible JetPack Version: The JetPack version used may not be compatible with the current firmware on the Jetson module, leading to boot issues.
2. Flashing Errors: Errors during the flashing process can result in incomplete installations, causing the device to malfunction.
3. Configuration Issues: Incorrect configurations or settings during setup can prevent proper communication between the Jetson board and the host PC.
4. Driver Issues: Outdated or incorrect drivers on the host machine may hinder detection of the Jetson device.
5. Power Supply Problems: Insufficient power supply or incorrect voltage levels may lead to operational failures.
6. User Errors: Missteps during setup, such as failing to enter recovery mode correctly, could also contribute to these issues.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Power Supply:

   • Ensure that you are using a compatible power supply (5V-2A for Nano, 9-19V for Orin Nano).
   • Check that connections are secure and that the power supply is functioning properly.

2. Check SD Card Integrity:

   • Use a reliable SD card (minimum 32GB UHS-1) and ensure it is properly flashed with a compatible JetPack version.
   • Re-flash the SD card using an appropriate tool (e.g., Balena Etcher) and verify that no errors occur during this process.

3. Use SDK Manager for Flashing:

   • Connect your Jetson Orin Nano to a Linux host PC using a USB Type-C cable.
   • Put the board into Force Recovery Mode by shorting pins 9 and 10 on the header while powering it on.
   • Launch SDK Manager and select your target hardware (Jetson Orin Nano) for flashing.
   • Follow prompts to install JetPack components; ensure you select "Jetson OS" for base installation.

   Example command to enter recovery mode:

   sudo reboot --force forced-recovery
   

4. Check L4T Release Version:

   • After flashing, verify which L4T release is in use by running:

   head -n 1 /etc/nv_tegra_release
   

   • Ensure it matches with your JetPack version.

5. Update Firmware:

   • If necessary, update your firmware by following instructions for flashing QSPI memory using SDK Manager.

6. Test Different Configurations:

   • Try using different SD cards or flash images if issues persist.
   • Test on another Linux host if available to rule out host-specific issues.

7. Review Logs and Errors:

   • If errors occur during flashing, use SDK Manager’s "EXPORT LOGS" feature to gather diagnostic information and share it in forums for further assistance.

8. Seek Community Support:

   • Engage with NVIDIA forums or community Discord channels for additional troubleshooting tips and shared experiences from other users facing similar issues.

By following these steps, users should be able to diagnose and potentially resolve their issues with the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit not responding after flashing an SD card.