Firmware Update Issues with Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties when attempting to update the firmware on their Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit. The primary symptoms include:

• The device crashing after flashing the SD card with JetPack 5.1.3 image
• Inconsistent firmware version reporting
• Installation failures during the SDK Manager process
• Confusion about proceeding with QSPI updates

These issues occur during the initial setup and firmware update process, impacting the user’s ability to properly configure and use the device. The problems seem to persist across multiple attempts and affect the device’s boot process and overall functionality.

Possible Causes

1. Incompatible or corrupted SD card image:
   The JetPack image may not be properly flashed or could be incompatible with the specific hardware version.

2. Outdated or mismatched bootloader:
   The existing bootloader version may not be compatible with the new firmware, causing boot failures.

3. USB communication issues:
   Error messages suggest potential problems with USB communication during the flashing process.

4. Incorrect flashing procedure:
   Users may be following outdated or incorrect instructions for updating the firmware.

5. Hardware issues:
   There could be underlying hardware problems preventing successful firmware updates.

6. SDK Manager configuration:
   Improper setup or use of the SDK Manager could lead to installation failures.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Use SDK Manager for a complete reflash:

   • Find a Ubuntu host PC (a virtual machine is not recommended).
   • Install SDK Manager on the Ubuntu PC.
   • Connect the Jetson Orin Nano to the host PC.
   • Follow the instructions at https://docs.nvidia.com/sdk-manager/install-with-sdkm-jetson/ to reflash everything.

2. Verify bootloader version:

   • After flashing, check the bootloader version using the following command:

     sudo nvbootctrl dump-slots-info
     

   • If the version doesn’t match the expected one, check the boot log for more information.

3. Access the boot log:

   • Set up a Serial Debug Console using the guide at JetsonHacks (https://jetsonhacks.com/2019/04/19/jetson-nano-serial-console/).
   • Capture and analyze the boot log to verify the firmware version and identify any boot-related issues.

4. Troubleshoot USB communication errors:

   • If you encounter a "timeout in USB write" error, ensure that all USB connections are secure.
   • Try using different USB ports or cables.
   • Check for any system messages related to USB errors using the dmesg command.

5. Verify SD card integrity:

   • Use a reliable SD card from a reputable manufacturer.
   • Ensure the SD card is properly formatted before flashing.
   • Try reflashing the SD card with the JetPack image using a tool like Balena Etcher.

6. Update QSPI after confirming bootloader version:

   • Once you’ve verified that the bootloader version is correct (e.g., 5.0-35550185), it’s safe to proceed with updating the QSPI.
   • If you’re updating to JetPack 6, confirm that your current setup is compatible before proceeding.

7. Handle SDK Manager installation failures:

   • If you encounter installation failures with SDK Manager, check the logs for specific error messages.
   • Ensure your host PC meets the system requirements for SDK Manager.
   • Try running SDK Manager with elevated privileges (sudo).
   • Clear any temporary files or cached data from previous installation attempts.

8. Seek official support:

   • If issues persist after trying these steps, consider reaching out to NVIDIA’s official support channels or community forums for more specialized assistance.

Remember to document each step of the troubleshooting process and the results obtained. This information can be valuable if you need to seek further assistance or report the issue to NVIDIA.