.. _hardware-troubleshooting: ============================ Hardware Troubleshooting ============================ This chapter lists common hardware issues and their solutions. .. warning:: Before performing any hardware inspection or repair, always disconnect power! Plugging or unplugging modules while powered on may cause hardware damage. .. _assembly-troubleshooting: Assembly Issues =============== .. _assembly-pin-insertion: Pins Won't Insert During Assembly ---------------------------------- **Symptoms**: Module pins cannot be smoothly inserted into sockets or breadboard **Solutions**: - Do not apply excessive force to avoid damaging pins - Check if pins are aligned with socket - Gently adjust pin angle to ensure vertical insertion - Check if pins are bent, carefully adjust with tweezers - Confirm socket or breadboard holes have no foreign objects .. _assembly-wiring-confusion: Too Many Breadboard Jumper Wires, Easy to Confuse -------------------------------------------------- **Symptoms**: Complex wiring, easy to connect incorrectly **Solutions**: - Use different colored jumper wires to distinguish functions (e.g., red-power, black-ground, other colors-signal) - Connect only one module at a time, complete it before moving to the next - After completing each module, verify against the pin mapping table - Take photos of the wiring process for later reference and debugging - Use tweezers to adjust jumper wire positions, keep layout tidy .. _assembly-button-installation: Button Installation Issues --------------------------- **Symptoms**: Do buttons need soldering? How to install? **Solutions**: - No soldering required, all buttons are plug-in design - Simply insert button pins into breadboard - Ensure button pins are fully inserted into breadboard holes - One end of button connects to GPIO, other end connects to GND .. _assembly-mixing-modes: Can Two Assembly Methods Be Mixed? ----------------------------------- **Symptoms**: Want to use both expansion board and breadboard simultaneously **Solutions**: - Not recommended to mix - Expansion board and breadboard may have different pin definitions - Please choose one method to complete assembly - If modification needed, breadboard mode is recommended .. _assembly-button-layout: Can Button Layout Be Adjusted? ------------------------------- **Symptoms**: Want to customize button positions **Solutions**: - Can adjust button positions according to personal preference - Need to modify pin configuration in firmware accordingly - Recommended to complete assembly and testing with standard layout first - Customize after becoming familiar .. _hardware-screen-issue: Screen Not Displaying ===================== Symptoms -------- - Screen completely blank after power on (black screen) - Screen displaying abnormally (artifacts, flickering, incorrect colors) - Screen backlight on but no content displayed Possible Causes and Solutions ------------------------------ 1. **Check Power Supply** - Confirm Type-C cable is correctly connected to ESP32S3 module - Try replacing USB power adapter (recommended 5V/2A or higher) - Check if power indicator LED on ESP32S3 is lit - Try replacing Type-C data cable 2. **Check Screen Connection** - Disconnect power - Confirm TFT screen pin headers are correctly inserted into board socket - If using breadboard, confirm connections are correct 3. **Check Jumper Wire Connections** - Refer to pin mapping table in :doc:`../../assembly` - Check all jumper wires are connected to correct pins - Confirm jumper wires are not loose or disconnected - Check if jumper wires are damaged 4. **Check Firmware** - Reflash firmware (refer to :doc:`../../firmware`) - Confirm using latest firmware version - Check if flashing process completed successfully .. tip:: If screen backlight is on but no content, it's usually a firmware issue - try reflashing firmware. .. _hardware-audio-issue: No Audio Output =============== Symptoms -------- - Game runs normally but completely no audio - Audio intermittent or has noise Possible Causes and Solutions ------------------------------ 1. **Check Amplifier Module Connection** - Disconnect power - Confirm amplifier module is correctly installed on breadboard - Check if amplifier module jumper wire connections are correct - Refer to amplifier module installation steps in :doc:`../../assembly` 2. **Check Audio Output Device** - Confirm speaker are correctly connected to amplifier module - Try replacing speaker - Check if audio cable is damaged 3. **Check Volume Settings** - Enter system settings menu - Check if volume is set to 0 - Try increasing volume (refer to :doc:`../../usage/settings`) 4. **Check Jumper Wire Connections** - Confirm all pins of amplifier module are correctly connected - Check if audio signal lines and power lines are connected correctly - Refer to pin mapping table in assembly tutorial .. note:: Some games may not have audio themselves - please try running other games for testing. .. _hardware-button-issue: Buttons Not Responding ======================= Symptoms -------- - All buttons not responding - Some buttons not responding - Button response delayed or unstable Possible Causes and Solutions ------------------------------ 1. **Check Button Installation** - Disconnect power - Confirm buttons are correctly inserted into breadboard - Check if button pins are fully inserted into breadboard holes - Confirm button orientation is correct (buttons have directionality) 2. **Check Jumper Wire Connections** - Refer to button jumper wire connection diagram in :doc:`../../assembly` - Check if each button's jumper wire is connected to correct GPIO pin - Confirm jumper wires are not loose - Check if jumper wires are damaged or have poor contact 3. **Test Buttons** - Use multimeter to test if buttons work normally - When button is pressed, corresponding pin should conduct - If button is damaged, replace with new button 4. **Check Breadboard** - Some holes in breadboard may have poor contact - Try moving button to other positions on breadboard .. warning:: Do not press buttons forcefully - may cause button damage or breadboard deformation. .. _hardware-tfcard-issue: Cannot Recognize TF Card ======================== Symptoms -------- - System prompts "TF card not detected" - No response after inserting TF card - Game list is empty Possible Causes and Solutions ------------------------------ 1. **Check TF Card Format** - Confirm TF card is formatted as FAT32 - Reformat TF card (refer to :doc:`../../tfcard`) - Confirm TF card capacity does not exceed 32GB 2. **Check TF Card Insertion** - Disconnect power - Reinsert TF card, ensure it's fully inserted - Check if TF card direction is correct (metal contacts facing down) - Confirm hearing "click" sound indicates proper insertion 3. **Check TF Card Module Connection** - Disconnect power - Confirm TF card module is correctly installed on breadboard - Check if TF card module jumper wire connections are correct - Refer to TF card module installation steps in :doc:`../../assembly` 4. **Check TF Card Quality** - Try using another TF card - Confirm TF card has no physical damage - Test if TF card can read/write normally on computer 5. **Check File Structure** - Confirm TF card root directory has correct folder structure - Refer to :doc:`../../tfcard` for correct folder structure - On first use, system will automatically create folders .. _hardware-power-issue: Power Supply Issues =================== Symptoms -------- - Device cannot power on - Device runs unstably, frequently restarts - Power indicator LED not lit or flickering Possible Causes and Solutions ------------------------------ 1. **Check Power Adapter** - Use 5V/2A or higher specification USB power adapter - Avoid using computer USB port for power (current may be insufficient) - Try replacing power adapter 2. **Check Type-C Cable** - Confirm using data cable, not charge-only cable - Try replacing Type-C cable - Check if cable is damaged 3. **Check Connection** - Confirm Type-C cable is firmly inserted into ESP32S3 - Check if Type-C port has dust or foreign objects - Replug Type-C cable .. warning:: Do not use low-quality power adapters - may cause device damage or safety hazards. .. _hardware-other-issues: Other Hardware Issues ===================== .. _hardware-breadboard-contact: Breadboard Poor Contact ------------------------ **Symptoms**: Device works unstably, intermittent **Solutions**: - Check if all modules and jumper wires are firmly inserted - Try replugging all connections - Replace breadboard if necessary .. _hardware-overheating: Component Overheating ---------------------- **Symptoms**: ESP32S3 or other modules heating severely **Solutions**: - Check for short circuit situations - Confirm jumper wire connections are correct - Improve heat dissipation conditions, avoid using in enclosed spaces - If continues to overheat, disconnect power and check hardware connections .. danger:: If you notice components smoking or smell burning, immediately disconnect power! This may indicate serious hardware failure.