Jetson Orin Nano Firmware Update Issue: 3.x to 5.x

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties updating the firmware on their Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano development boards from version 3.x to 5.x. The specific symptoms include:

• The board’s UEFI firmware remains at version 3.0-32616947 after attempting to update.
• Users receive a notification for l4t bootloader updates requiring a reboot, but the reboot doesn’t trigger the update.
• The update process stalls, preventing users from upgrading to JetPack 6.0, which requires firmware version 5.x.
• In some cases, the board fails to boot properly after the Nvidia splash screen during the update process.

This issue appears to be affecting multiple users and is impacting their ability to utilize the latest software and features on their Jetson Orin Nano boards.

Possible Causes

1. Incomplete update process: The firmware update may not be completing due to interruptions or system limitations.

2. Connectivity issues: Lack of internet connection may prevent necessary package downloads for the update.

3. Conflicting hardware: Connected storage devices (e.g., NVMe drives) might interfere with the update process.

4. Incompatible SD card image: The flashed SD card may not contain the correct or complete update files.

5. Bootloader version mismatch: The current bootloader version in QSPI might not meet the prerequisites for the SD card update method.

6. System configuration issues: Improper system settings or previous installations may be affecting the update process.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Ensure internet connectivity:

   • Connect the Jetson Orin Nano to a stable internet connection via Ethernet or Wi-Fi.
   • This is crucial for downloading necessary packages during the update process.

2. Update packages and reboot:

   sudo apt upgrade
   sudo reboot
   

   • This command updates the L4T bootloader and other system packages.
   • After rebooting, check if the firmware version has been updated.

3. Verify SD card image:

   • Ensure you’re using the correct JetPack 5.1.3 (or later) image for your Jetson Orin Nano.
   • Re-flash the SD card if necessary, following the official Nvidia guidelines.

4. Remove additional storage devices:

   • Disconnect any NVMe drives or other storage devices during the initial update process.
   • Reconnect them after successfully updating the firmware.

5. Use kernel_flash tool for manual update:
   If the automatic update fails, try the following manual update process:

   sudo ./tools/kernel_flash/l4t_initrd_flash.sh --external-device mmcblk0p1 -c tools/kernel_flash/flash_l4t_t234_nvme.xml \
   -p "-c bootloader/t186ref/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml" --showlogs --network usb0 jetson-orin-nano-devkit internal
   

   • This command flashes both QSPI and SD with R35.3.1.
   • After this, prepare a new SD card with the R35.5.0 image and boot from it.

6. Check serial console logs:

   • Use a serial debug console to capture detailed logs during the boot and update process.
   • This can help identify specific errors or issues preventing the update.

7. Skip oem-config if necessary:

   • If the system is not reaching the oem-config step, consider setting up the username/password in the BSP package before flashing the board.

8. Downgrade firmware (if needed):

   • For users who need to run JetPack 5.x after upgrading to firmware 36.3.0:
     • Flash an earlier firmware version (e.g., 35.x.x) using the appropriate JetPack SD card image.
     • Note that downgrading may require a complete reflash of the system.

9. Contact Nvidia Support:

   • If all else fails, reach out to Nvidia’s official support channels with detailed logs and system information.

Remember to document each step attempted and its outcome. This will help in troubleshooting and provide valuable information if you need to seek further assistance from the Nvidia community or support team.