[BUG] Error when trying to flash my Ulanzi clock: "Failed to initialize."

[Jonas-Sander]

Bug report

I'm trying to flash my lanzi TC001 Smart Pixel Uhr 2882 via https://blueforcer.github.io/awtrix-light/#/flasher.
This error occures:

I'm using a windows pc and tried it with:

• Edge: Version 117.0.2045.47 (Offizielles Build) (64-Bit)
• Chrome: Version 117.0.5938.92 (Offizieller Build) (64-Bit)

I already tried to reset my ULANZI clock via "Logs & console" > "Reset device" and by pressing the reset button at the back of the device. Nothing helped.

When I press "Install" the device beeps and turns off for a brief moment but after that it turns back on and nothing changed.

Additional information

• Devices involved:
  • Model: Ulanzi Awtrix Smart Pixel Clock 2882 (TC001)

To Reproduce

1. Connect the ULANZI pixel clock via USB to my PC
2. Try using the flashing tool at https://blueforcer.github.io/awtrix-light/#/flasher (+ check erase device button)

Expected behavior

The device should be flashed.

Screenshots

Flasher.und.4.weitere.Seiten.-.Profil.1.Microsoft.Edge.2023-10-01.20-09-41.mp4

Logs

----------------BOOTING INFO----------------
------ESP SDK Version : v3.3.5-1-g85c43024c
------Dot2d Version : dot2d-0.1.0
------Firmware Version : 1.7.3.385ae1
------SPIFFS File System init succeed.
------Global Device Data init succeed.
------Global Config Data init succeed.
------Global User Data init succeed.
------Global App Switch Data init succeed.
------Global System Data init succeed.
------Dot2d Director init succeed.
------Screen And Canvas init succeed.
------App Manager init succeed.
------Device init succeed.

connect-221663ff.js:485 Initializing Improv Serial
connect-221663ff.js:810  Improv initialization failed. Error: Improv Wi-Fi Serial not detected
    at connect-221663ff.js:485:1200
_initialize @ connect-221663ff.js:810
await in _initialize (asynchron)
firstUpdated @ connect-221663ff.js:810
_$AE @ connect-221663ff.js:1
performUpdate @ connect-221663ff.js:1
scheduleUpdate @ connect-221663ff.js:1
_$E_ @ connect-221663ff.js:1
await in _$E_ (asynchron)
requestUpdate @ connect-221663ff.js:1
o @ connect-221663ff.js:1
de @ connect-221663ff.js:1
ce @ connect-221663ff.js:1
ba @ connect-221663ff.js:512
_a @ connect-221663ff.js:867
await in _a (asynchron)
(anonymous) @ install-button.js:1
connect-221663ff.js:485 Try hard reset.
connect-221663ff.js:485  Error: Couldn't sync to ESP. Try resetting.
    at pa.sync (connect-221663ff.js:485:58250)
    at async pa.initialize (connect-221663ff.js:485:53144)
    at async connect-221663ff.js:485:65392

[Jonas-Sander]

Okay, I solved by connecting to the Ulanzi clock via the IP address shown on the device, then tapping "About" (the button at the very bottom of the page), selecting update firmware, and choosing "ulanzi_TC001_0.88.bin" that is at the "releases" tab here on GitHub. Since I already added the wifi before updating the clock it connected directly to my wifi after flashing it with the AWTRIX firmware.

[Jonas-Sander]

This process is not documented though and the original way (the quickstart at https://blueforcer.github.io/awtrix-light/#/quickstart) didn't work for me.

[Blueforcer]

You need to use a high quality cable and probably another USB port. The ulanzi hardware is bad.
But glad it works now.

[Jonas-Sander]

You need to use a high quality cable and probably another USB port. The ulanzi hardware is bad.
But glad it works now.

I tried it with 2 other USB cables and 2 more USB ports, still didn't work :/

[Blueforcer]

Sorry there is nothing I can do.
Some users reported that it works on another PC for any reason.
There are also users where serial connection doesn't work at all due a hardware failure. But this belong to less than 1%.
For most users the webflasher works as expected

[Jonas-Sander]

No worries, thanks for your help :)

There is one thing that was annoying though because of this issue: When I had issues with the IP settings (I changed something and couldn't connect to the web interface afterwards) I had troubles resetting the device. The reset button at the back of the device didn't function properly. If you press it nothing happens. I tried pressing, holding, turning the device on and off several times etc. and it didn't work. After a while I got lucky and it somehow went back to the access point mode. I think it was when pressing the reset button while the device is booting up? I tried to reset it again afterwards once and it didn't work. Is there a special way or time when the reset button has to be pressed?

[pzzz]

Okay, I solved by connecting to the Ulanzi clock via the IP address shown on the device, then tapping "About" (the button at the very bottom of the page), selecting update firmware, and choosing "ulanzi_TC001_0.88.bin" that is at the "releases" tab here on GitHub. Since I already added the wifi before updating the clock it connected directly to my wifi after flashing it with the AWTRIX firmware.

Can confirm, this also was the way to go for me (y)

[GitGudin]

Okay, I solved by connecting to the Ulanzi clock via the IP address shown on the device, then tapping "About" (the button at the very bottom of the page), selecting update firmware, and choosing "ulanzi_TC001_0.88.bin" that is at the "releases" tab here on GitHub. Since I already added the wifi before updating the clock it connected directly to my wifi after flashing it with the AWTRIX firmware.

Worked for me, too. Thanks for sharing!

[coalfield]

Thank you, really helped me after trying numerous cables!

[wAuner]

I can confirm that using a better cable helped. When I switched to a very short (about 50cm) Thunderbolt 4 cable I was able to successfully flash the firmware with my Macbook.

[mbnn6]

I would like to confirm that changing the cable helped! It's because of the way the clock will connect to your mac, choosing serial connection as the connection method (important to make it work, don't choose bluetooth) was only possible then.

[SimonKai22]

ulanzi_TC001_0.88.bin

I have the same problem. Can you tell me where I can find the file "ulanzi_TC001_0.88.bin"?

many thanks for the help