ERROR: USB Write Timeout During Jetson Orin Nano Dev Board Flashing

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing an error during the flashing process of the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev board. The specific error message reported is "ERROR: might be timeout in USB write." This issue occurs when attempting to flash the device using the l4t_initrd_flash.sh script. The error appears during the Boot Rom communication stage, specifically when sending the bct_br (Boot Configuration Table for Boot ROM). This problem prevents users from successfully flashing their Jetson Orin Nano Dev boards, hindering the setup and use of the device.

Possible Causes

1. USB Autosuspend: The default USB autosuspend settings may be interfering with the flashing process, causing timeouts during USB communication.

2. Firewall Interference: Active firewall settings could potentially block or interfere with the USB communication required for flashing.

3. USB Connection Issues: Faulty USB cables, ports, or connections may lead to unreliable communication between the host computer and the Jetson device.

4. Host Computer Configuration: Certain settings or software on the host computer might be conflicting with the flashing process.

5. Outdated or Incompatible Software: The flashing tools or JetPack version being used might not be fully compatible with the specific Jetson Orin Nano Dev board model.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Disable USB Autosuspend:

   • Open a terminal on your host computer.
   • Edit the GRUB configuration file using the following command:

     sudo sed -i 's/GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="[a-z ]*/& usbcore.autosuspend=-1/' /etc/default/grub
     

   • Update GRUB:

     sudo update-grub2
     

   • Reboot your system:

     reboot
     

2. Disable Firewall:

   • Temporarily disable your firewall to rule out any interference.
   • The method to disable the firewall varies depending on your operating system and firewall software.

3. Check USB Connections:

   • Ensure you’re using a high-quality USB cable.
   • Try different USB ports on your host computer.
   • If possible, test with a different USB cable.

4. Verify Host Computer Setup:

   • Ensure you have the latest JetPack SDK installed.
   • Check that all prerequisites for flashing the Jetson Orin Nano Dev board are met according to NVIDIA’s documentation.

5. Update Flashing Tools:

   • Download the latest version of the L4T (Linux for Tegra) package from NVIDIA’s developer website.
   • Follow NVIDIA’s instructions to update your flashing tools and scripts.

6. Try Alternative Flashing Methods:

   • If the USB flashing method continues to fail, consider using alternative methods such as network-based flashing if supported by your device and setup.

7. Check for Known Issues:

   • Visit NVIDIA’s developer forums and documentation to check for any known issues with flashing the Jetson Orin Nano Dev board.
   • Look for any recently released patches or workarounds.

8. Gather More Information:

   • If the issue persists, gather detailed logs and system information:

     sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --external-device nvme0n1p1 -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_external.xml -p "-c bootloader/t186ref/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml" --showlogs --network usb0 jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal
     

   • Save the complete output, including any error messages.

9. Seek Support:

   • If none of the above steps resolve the issue, consider reaching out to NVIDIA’s support channels or community forums with the gathered information.
   • Provide details about your host system, JetPack version, and the exact steps you’ve taken to reproduce the error.

By following these troubleshooting steps and potential solutions, users should be able to address the USB write timeout error and successfully flash their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Dev boards. If the issue persists, further investigation may be required, possibly involving NVIDIA’s technical support team.