Jetson Orin Nano Not Flashing from Micro SD

Issue Overview

Users are experiencing difficulties flashing the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit using a 64GB SanDisk microSD card. The primary symptoms include the device getting stuck on the boot screen after attempting to install JetPack versions 5.13 and 6.0 through various methods, including the Windows microSD Etcher method. This issue occurs during the setup phase, specifically when trying to boot from a flashed SD card. Users have reported that the flashing process does not complete successfully, leading to a black screen or a repeated boot cycle. The problem has been observed consistently across multiple attempts and configurations, significantly hindering user experience and functionality of the device.

Possible Causes

• Hardware Incompatibilities or Defects: The microSD card may not be compatible or could be defective, leading to issues during the flashing process.
• Software Bugs or Conflicts: JetPack versions, especially developer previews like JetPack 6, may contain bugs that prevent successful flashing.
• Configuration Errors: Incorrect settings during the flashing process or improper connections (e.g., not entering recovery mode correctly) can lead to failures.
• Driver Issues: Incompatibilities with drivers on the host machine (Windows/Linux) could prevent proper communication with the Jetson board.
• Environmental Factors: Power supply issues or overheating could affect performance during flashing.
• User Errors or Misconfigurations: Not following the correct procedures for flashing or recovery mode can lead to persistent problems.

Troubleshooting Steps, Solutions & Fixes

1. Verify Hardware Compatibility:

   • Ensure that the microSD card is compatible (preferably use a high-quality card recommended by Nvidia).
   • Test with another microSD card if possible.

2. Use SDK Manager for Flashing:

   • It is recommended to use the SDK Manager on an Ubuntu host PC rather than Windows for more reliable results.
   • Follow these steps:
     • Connect the Jetson board to your PC.
     • Put the board in recovery mode by connecting pins 9 and 10 of the Button Header while powering on.
     • Use SDK Manager to flash JetPack 5.x instead of 6.x as it is more stable for initial setups.

3. Check for Recovery Mode:

   • Ensure that the board is in recovery mode before attempting to flash. The power LED should remain on while in this mode.
   • Use lsusb -d '0955:' command on your host machine to check if the board is detected.

4. Export Logs for Debugging:

   • If errors occur during flashing, export logs using the “EXPORT LOGS” feature in SDK Manager. This helps identify specific issues.

5. Re-flash with Correct Bootloader:

   • If using an SD card image, ensure that you have updated the QSPI bootloader using SDK Manager first.
   • Run this command in terminal:

     sudo ./flash.sh --no-systemimg -c bootloader/generic/cfg/flash_t234_qspi.xml jetson-orin-nano-devkit mmcblk0p1
     

6. Testing Different Configurations:

   • If issues persist, try different configurations such as using another USB port or different cables.
   • Check if any peripherals connected are causing conflicts.

7. Best Practices for Future Prevention:

   • Always use recommended hardware and follow Nvidia’s official guidelines for flashing and setup.
   • Regularly check for firmware updates and ensure that you are using stable versions of software.

8. Documentation and Resources:

   • Refer to Nvidia’s official documentation for detailed instructions on flashing and troubleshooting Jetson devices.
   • Utilize community forums for additional support 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 flashing the Nvidia Jetson Orin Nano Developer Kit effectively.