{IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO:default="GPIO9", esp8266="GPIO0", esp32="GPIO0", esp32s2="GPIO0", esp32s3="GPIO0", esp32p4="GPIO35", esp32c5="GPIO28", esp32h21="GPIO14", esp32h4="GPIO14"}

{IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_2_GPIO:default="GPIO8", esp32="GPIO2", esp32s2="GPIO46", esp32s3="GPIO46", esp32p4="GPIO36", esp32c5="GPIO27", esp32h21="GPIO13", esp32h4="GPIO13"}

{IDF_TARGET_BOOTLOADER_OFFSET:default="0x0", esp32="0x1000", esp32s2="0x1000", esp32p4="0x2000", esp32c5="0x2000"}

.. _boot-mode:

Boot Mode Selection
===================

This guide explains how to select the boot mode correctly and describes the boot log messages of {IDF_TARGET_NAME}.

.. only:: esp8266

   On many development boards with built-in USB/Serial, this is done for you and ``esptool`` can automatically reset the board into bootloader mode. For other configurations, you will need to follow these steps:

   Required Pins
   -------------

   The following ESP8266 pins must be in a known state for either normal (flash boot) or serial bootloader operation. Most development boards or modules make necessary connections already, internally:

   +--------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   | GPIO   | State                                                                                                              |
   +========+====================================================================================================================+
   | 15     | Pulled Low/GND (directly connected to GND, or external pull-down resistor)                                         |
   +--------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
   | 2      | Pull-up resistor High/VCC, or No Connection (pin has internal weak pullup, external pullup resistor is optional)   |
   +--------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

   If these pins are set differently to shown, nothing on the ESP8266 will work as expected. See `ESP8266 Pin List document <https://www.espressif.com/en/support/documents/technical-documents?keys=ESP8266+Pin+List>`__ to see what boot modes are enabled for different pin combinations.

   When the ESP8266 goes into serial bootloader mode, the Boot ROM switches GPIO2 to an output and the UART TX signal is also output to this pin. For this reason GPIO2 should not be directly connected to VCC. Similarly, make sure GPIO2 is not connected to another peripheral where this may cause an issue when in download mode.

   Select Bootloader Mode
   ----------------------

   The ESP8266 will enter the serial bootloader when GPIO0 is held low on reset. Otherwise it will run the program in flash.

   +---------------+----------------------------------------+
   | GPIO0 Input   | Mode                                   |
   +===============+========================================+
   | Low/GND       | ROM serial bootloader for esptool      |
   +---------------+----------------------------------------+
   | High/VCC      | Normal execution mode                  |
   +---------------+----------------------------------------+

   Many configurations use a "Flash" button that pulls GPIO0 low when pressed.

.. only:: not esp8266

   .. warning::

      The {IDF_TARGET_NAME} has a 45k ohm internal pull-up/pull-down resistor at {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO} (and other pins). If you want to connect a switch button to enter the boot mode, this has to be a strong pull-down. For example a 10k resistor to GND.

   Information about {IDF_TARGET_NAME} strapping pins can also be found in the `{IDF_TARGET_NAME} Datasheet <{IDF_TARGET_DATASHEET_EN_URL}>`__, section "Strapping Pins".

   On many development boards with built-in USB/Serial, ``esptool`` can automatically reset the board into bootloader mode. For other configurations or custom hardware, you will need to check the orientation of some "strapping pins" to get the correct boot mode:

   Select Bootloader Mode
   ----------------------

   {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO}
   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

   The {IDF_TARGET_NAME} will enter the serial bootloader when {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO} is held low on reset. Otherwise it will run the program in flash.

   .. list-table::
      :widths: 10 25
      :header-rows: 1

      * - {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO} Input
        - Mode
      * - Low/GND
        - ROM serial bootloader for esptool
      * - High/VCC
        - Normal execution mode

   {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO} has an internal pullup resistor, so if it is left unconnected then it will pull high.

   Many boards use a button marked "Flash" (or "BOOT" on some Espressif development boards) that pulls {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO} low when pressed.

   {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_2_GPIO}
   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

   .. only:: esp32 or esp32s2 or esp32s3

      {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_2_GPIO} must also be either left unconnected/floating, or driven Low, in order to enter the serial bootloader.

   .. only:: esp32c3 or esp32c2 or esp32h2 or esp32c6 or esp32p4 or esp32c5 or esp32c61 or esp32h21 or esp32h4

      {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_2_GPIO} must also be driven High, in order to enter the serial bootloader reliably. The strapping combination of {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_2_GPIO} = 0 and {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO} = 0 is invalid and will trigger unexpected behavior.

   In normal boot mode ({IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO} high), {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_2_GPIO} is ignored.


   Other Pins
   ^^^^^^^^^^

   .. only:: not esp32

         As well as the above mentioned pins, other ones influence the serial bootloader, please consult the `{IDF_TARGET_NAME} Datasheet <{IDF_TARGET_DATASHEET_EN_URL}>`__, section "Strapping Pins".

   .. only:: esp32

      As well as {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO} and {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_2_GPIO}, the following pins influence the serial bootloader mode:

      +-------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
      | GPIO        | Meaning                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
      +=============+============================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================================+
      | 12 (MTDI)   | If driven High, flash voltage (VDD_SDIO) is 1.8V not default 3.3V. Has internal pull-down, so unconnected = Low = 3.3V. May prevent flashing and/or booting if 3.3V flash is used and this pin is pulled high, causing the flash to brownout. See the datasheet for more details.          |
      +-------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+
      | 15 (MTDO)   | If driven Low, silences boot messages printed by the ROM bootloader. Has an internal pull-up, so unconnected = High = normal output.                                                                                                                                                       |
      +-------------+--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+

      For more information, consult the `{IDF_TARGET_NAME} Datasheet <{IDF_TARGET_DATASHEET_EN_URL}>`__, section "Strapping Pins".

.. _automatic-bootloader:

Automatic Bootloader
--------------------

``esptool`` resets {IDF_TARGET_NAME} automatically by asserting ``DTR`` and ``RTS`` control lines of the USB to serial converter chip, i.e., FTDI, CP210x, or CH340x. The ``DTR`` and ``RTS`` control lines are in turn connected to ``{IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO}`` and ``EN`` (``CHIP_PU``) pins of {IDF_TARGET_NAME}, thus changes in the voltage levels of ``DTR`` and ``RTS`` will boot the {IDF_TARGET_NAME} into Firmware Download mode.

.. note::

      When developing ``esptool``, keep in mind ``DTR`` and ``RTS`` are active low signals, i.e., ``True`` = pin @ 0V, ``False`` = pin @ VCC.

As an example of auto-reset curcuitry implementation, check the `schematic <https://dl.espressif.com/dl/schematics/esp32_devkitc_v4-sch-20180607a.pdf>`_ of the ESP32 DevKitC development board:

-  The **Micro USB 5V & USB-UART** section shows the ``DTR`` and ``RTS`` control lines of the USB to serial converter chip connected to ``{IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO}`` and ``EN`` pins of the ESP module.
-  Some OS and/or drivers may activate ``RTS`` and or ``DTR`` automatically when opening the serial port (true only for some serial terminal programs, not ``esptool``), pulling them low together and holding the ESP in reset. If ``RTS`` is wired directly to ``EN`` then RTS/CTS "hardware flow control" needs to be disabled in the serial program to avoid this.
   An additional circuitry is implemented in order to avoid this problem - if both ``RTS`` and ``DTR`` are asserted together, this doesn't reset the chip. The schematic shows this specific circuit with two transistors and its truth table.
-  If this circuitry is implemented (all Espressif boards have it), adding a capacitor between the ``EN`` pin and ``GND`` (in the 1uF-10uF range) is necessary for the reset circuitry to work reliably. This is shown in the **ESP32 Module** section of the schematic.
-  The **Switch Button** section shows buttons needed for :ref:`manually switching to bootloader <manual-bootloader>`.

Make the following connections for ``esptool`` to automatically enter the bootloader of an {IDF_TARGET_NAME} chip:

.. list-table::
   :header-rows: 1

   * - ESP Pin
     - Serial Pin
   * - EN
     - RTS
   * - {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO}
     - DTR

In Linux serial ports by default will assert RTS when nothing is attached to them. This can hold the {IDF_TARGET_NAME} in a reset loop which may cause some serial adapters to subsequently reset loop. This functionality can be disabled by disabling ``HUPCL`` (ie ``sudo stty -F /dev/ttyUSB0 -hupcl``).

(Some third party {IDF_TARGET_NAME} development boards use an automatic reset circuit for ``EN`` & ``{IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO}`` pins, but don't add a capacitor on the ``EN`` pin. This results in unreliable automatic reset, especially on Windows. Adding a 1uF (or higher) value capacitor between ``EN`` pin and ``GND`` may make automatic reset more reliable.)

In general, you should have no problems with the official Espressif development boards. However, ``esptool`` is not able to reset your hardware automatically in the following cases:

- Your hardware does not have the ``DTR`` and ``RTS`` lines connected to ``{IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO}`` and ``EN`` (``CHIP_PU``)
- The ``DTR`` and ``RTS`` lines are configured differently
- There are no such serial control lines at all

.. _manual-bootloader:

Manual Bootloader
-----------------

Depending on the kind of hardware you have, it may also be possible to manually put your {IDF_TARGET_NAME} board into Firmware Download mode (reset).

- For development boards produced by Espressif, this information can be found in the respective getting started guides or user guides. For example, to manually reset a development board, hold down the **Boot** button (``{IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO}``) and press the **EN** button (``EN`` (``CHIP_PU``)).
- For other types of hardware, try pulling ``{IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO}`` down.

.. note::

   If esptool is able to reset the chip but for some reason the chip is not entering into bootloader mode then hold down the Boot button (or pull down ``{IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO}``) while you start esptool and keep it down during reset.

.. only:: esp8266

   .. _boot-log-esp8266:

   Boot Log
   --------

   The ESP8266 boot rom writes a log to the UART when booting. The timing is a little bit unusual: ``74880 baud`` (see :ref:`serial-port-settings`).

   ::

      ets Jan  8 2014,rst cause 1, boot mode:(3,7)

      load 0x40100000, len 24236, room 16
      tail 12
      chksum 0xb7
      ho 0 tail 12 room 4
      load 0x3ffe8000, len 3008, room 12
      tail 4
      chksum 0x2c
      load 0x3ffe8bc0, len 4816, room 4
      tail 12
      chksum 0x46
      csum 0x46


   Explanation
   ^^^^^^^^^^^

   **rst_cause:**

   +---------------+----------------------------------------+
   | Value         | Meaning                                |
   +===============+========================================+
   | 1             | power-on                               |
   +---------------+----------------------------------------+
   | 2             | external-reset                         |
   +---------------+----------------------------------------+
   | 4             | hardware watchdog-reset                |
   +---------------+----------------------------------------+


   **The first parameter of boot_mode:**

   +-------------------------+----------------------------------------------+
   | Value                   | Meaning                                      |
   +=========================+==============================================+
   | 1 (eg. boot mode:(1,x)) | UART download mode (download FW into Flash)  |
   +-------------------------+----------------------------------------------+
   | 2 (eg. boot mode:(3,x)) | Boot from flash mode                         |
   +-------------------------+----------------------------------------------+

   **chksum:**

   If value of "chksum" == value of "csum", it means flash has been read correctly during booting.

   The rest of boot messages are used internally by Espressif.

.. only:: not esp8266

   Boot Log
   --------

   Boot Mode Message
   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

   After reset, the second line printed by the {IDF_TARGET_NAME} ROM (at 115200bps) is a reset & boot mode message:

   ::

      ets Jun  8 2016 00:22:57
      rst:0x1 (POWERON_RESET),boot:0x3 (DOWNLOAD_BOOT(UART0/UART1/SDIO_REI_REO_V2))


   ``rst:0xNN (REASON)`` is an enumerated value (and description) of the reason for the reset. A mapping between the hex value and each reason can be found in the `ESP-IDF source under RESET_REASON enum <https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/blob/release/v5.2/components/esp_rom/include/{IDF_TARGET_PATH_NAME}/rom/rtc.h>`__.
   The value can be read in {IDF_TARGET_NAME} code via the `get_reset_reason() ROM function <https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/blob/release/v5.2/components/esp_rom/include/{IDF_TARGET_PATH_NAME}/rom/rtc.h>`__.

   ``boot:0xNN (DESCRIPTION)`` is the hex value of the strapping pins, as represented in the `GPIO_STRAP register <https://github.com/espressif/esp-idf/blob/release/v5.2/components/soc/{IDF_TARGET_PATH_NAME}/include/soc/gpio_reg.h>`__.

   The individual bit values are as follows:

   .. only:: esp32

      -  ``0x01`` - GPIO5
      -  ``0x02`` - MTDO (GPIO15)
      -  ``0x04`` - GPIO4
      -  ``0x08`` - GPIO2
      -  ``0x10`` - GPIO0
      -  ``0x20`` - MTDI (GPIO12)

   .. only:: not esp32

      - ``0x04`` - {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_2_GPIO}
      - ``0x08`` - {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO}

   If the pin was high on reset, the bit value will be set. If it was low on reset, the bit will be cleared.

   A number of boot mode strings can be shown depending on which bits are set:

   -  ``DOWNLOAD_BOOT(UART0/UART1/SDIO_REI_REO_V2)`` or ``DOWNLOAD(USB/UART0)`` - {IDF_TARGET_NAME} is in download flashing mode (suitable for esptool)
   -  ``SPI_FAST_FLASH_BOOT`` - This is the normal SPI flash boot mode.
   -  Other modes (including ``SPI_FLASH_BOOT``, ``SDIO_REI_FEO_V1_BOOT``, ``ATE_BOOT``) may be shown here. This indicates an unsupported boot mode has been selected.
      Consult the strapping pins shown above (in most cases, one of these modes is selected if {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_2_GPIO} has been pulled high when {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_GPIO} is low).

   .. only:: esp32

      .. note::

         ``GPIO_STRAP`` register includes GPIO 4 but this pin is not used by any supported boot mode and be set either high or low for all supported boot modes.


   Later Boot Messages
   ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

   Later output from the ROM bootloader depends on the strapping pins and
   the boot mode. Some common output includes:

   Early Flash Read Error
   """"""""""""""""""""""

   .. only:: esp8266

      ::

         flash read err, 0

   .. only:: not esp8266

      ::

         Invalid header <value at {IDF_TARGET_BOOTLOADER_OFFSET}>

   This fatal error indicates that the bootloader tried to read the software bootloader header at address {IDF_TARGET_BOOTLOADER_OFFSET} but failed to read valid data. Possible reasons for this include:

   .. list::

      -  There isn't actually a bootloader at offset {IDF_TARGET_BOOTLOADER_OFFSET} (maybe the bootloader was flashed to the wrong offset by mistake, or the flash has been erased and no bootloader has been flashed yet.)
      -  Physical problem with the connection to the flash chip, or flash chip power.
      -  Flash encryption is enabled but the bootloader is plaintext. Alternatively, flash encryption is disabled but the bootloader is encrypted ciphertext.

      :esp32: -  Boot mode accidentally set to ``HSPI_FLASH_BOOT``, which uses different SPI flash pins. Check {IDF_TARGET_STRAP_BOOT_2_GPIO} (see above).
      :esp32: -  VDDSDIO has been enabled at 1.8V (due to MTDI/GPIO12, see above), but this flash chip requires 3.3V so it's browning out.


   Software Bootloader Header Info
   """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

   .. only:: esp32

      ::

         configsip: 0, SPIWP:0x00
         clk_drv:0x00,q_drv:0x00,d_drv:0x00,cs0_drv:0x00,hd_drv:0x00,wp_drv:0x00
         mode:DIO, clock div:1


   .. only:: not esp32

      ::

         SPIWP:0xee
         mode:DIO, clock div:1


   This is normal boot output based on a combination of eFuse values and information read from the bootloader header at flash offset {IDF_TARGET_BOOTLOADER_OFFSET}:

   .. list::

      :esp32: -  ``configsip: N`` indicates SPI flash config:

         :esp32: -  0 for default SPI flash
         :esp32: -  1 if booting from the HSPI bus (due to eFuse configuration)
         :esp32: -  Any other value indicates that SPI flash pins have been remapped via eFuse (the value is the value read from eFuse, consult :ref:`espefuse docs <espefuse>` to get an easier to read representation of these pin mappings).

      -  ``SPIWP:0xNN`` indicates a custom ``WP`` pin value, which is stored in the bootloader header. This pin value is only used if SPI flash pins have been remapped via eFuse (as shown in the ``configsip`` value).
         All custom pin values but WP are encoded in the configsip byte loaded from eFuse, and WP is supplied in the bootloader header.
      :esp32: -  ``clk_drv:0x00,q_drv:0x00,d_drv:0x00,cs0_drv:0x00,hd_drv:0x00,wp_drv:0x00`` Custom GPIO drive strength values for SPI flash pins. These are read from the bootloader header in flash. Not currently supported.
      -  ``mode: AAA, clock div: N``. SPI flash access mode. Read from the bootloader header, correspond to the ``--flash-mode`` and ``--flash-freq`` arguments supplied to ``esptool write-flash`` or ``esptool elf2image``.
      -  ``mode`` can be DIO, DOUT, QIO, or QOUT. *QIO and QOUT are not supported here*, to boot in a Quad I/O mode the ROM bootloader should load the software bootloader in a Dual I/O mode and then the ESP-IDF software bootloader enables Quad I/O based on the detected flash chip mode.
      -  ``clock div: N`` is the SPI flash clock frequency divider. This is an integer clock divider value from an 80MHz APB clock, based on the supplied ``--flash-freq`` argument (ie 80MHz=1, 40MHz=2, etc).
         The ROM bootloader actually loads the software bootloader at a lower frequency than the ``--flash-freq`` value. The initial APB clock frequency is equal to the crystal frequency, so with a 40MHz crystal the SPI clock used to load the software bootloader will be half the configured value (40MHz/2=20MHz).
         When the software bootloader starts it sets the APB clock to 80MHz causing the SPI clock frequency to match the value set when flashing.

   Software Bootloader Load Segments
   """""""""""""""""""""""""""""""""

   ::

      load:0x3fff0008,len:8
      load:0x3fff0010,len:3680
      load:0x40078000,len:8364
      load:0x40080000,len:252
      entry 0x40080034

   These entries are printed as the ROM bootloader loads each segment in the software bootloader image. The load address and length of each segment is printed.

   You can compare these values to the software bootloader image by running ``esptool --chip {IDF_TARGET_PATH_NAME} image-info /path/to/bootloader.bin`` to dump image info including a summary of each segment. Corresponding details will also be found in the bootloader ELF file headers.

   If there is a problem with the SPI flash chip addressing mode, the values printed by the bootloader here may be corrupted.

   The final line shows the entry point address of the software bootloader, where the ROM bootloader will call as it hands over control.
