Issue with ESP32-S3 Module - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / projects

author: rcbuck
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 03:22:23 am
content: Anyone experience getting fake parts from JLCPCB?I just received 2 boards that they assembled for me. The boards were supposed to be populated with ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8 parts, JLCPCB part number C2913202.When I try to program the boards I get this message:Connecting......A fatal error occurred: This chip is ESP32 not ESP32-S3. Wrong --chip argument?***  Error 2If I change the board type to a standard ESP32 as the error message indicates, I get this message:Connecting.....Chip is ESP32-D0WD-V3 (revision v3.1)The parts are marked ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N16R8. However, the markings appear to be somewhat sloppy, which may indicate fake parts.I have an ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-1U module, which is also an N16R8 part and the markings are extremely sharp.I have previously had JLCPCB build the prototype boards minus the ESP32 modules and installed them myself when I received the boards. This was to be my final prototype run before ordering production runs. Now I don't think I can trust them. It would be a disaster to receive 100 boards with fake ESP32 modules.I wanted to chat with them about this, but their chat line is at capacity. I have seen in previous posts that when they make a mistake, they refuse to re-make the boards. The agree to just do a partial refund. A partial refund for a production run would be totally unacceptable.

author: moffy
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 03:42:09 am
content: If they are indeed fake parts as you suspect you cannot trust JLCPCB to not do it again. The trouble with Chinese supply chains is that they are riddled with fake parts.

author: eleguy
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 05:58:36 am
content: I have never seen a fake part populated by JLCPBC but I do agree their part search is from somewhere. One needs to be pretty careful and best is always to ask if there is any doubt. Typically they respond pretty well and are helpful. I have also noticed their chat response times have gone down from ultra to "normal". Earlier they did react instantly 24/7 to almost any issue.What comes to the complaints, I have reported such few times in past ~5 years. Some have been solved in the chat but best is to use "quality complaint" "button(?)" that can be found somewhere from your order history page.And yes, remaking the boards is not the first option they offer as a "compensation" but so far we have got into agreement after some emailing.

author: rcbuck
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 06:03:20 am
content: Quote from: eleguy on July 14, 2025, 05:58:36 amBy "agreement" do you mean they re-made your boards?

author: Simmed
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 06:35:53 am
content: un-authorized parts deliberately mixed into supply chain (for profit)even for big brands going all the way upfrom 4:30 onwardshttps://youtu.be/RqQhWitJ1As?t=270

author: JLCPCB Official
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 10:13:58 am
content: Dear Sir,Thank you for bringing this matter to our attention. At jlc ,we take all quality concerns very seriously and would like to thoroughly investigate the issue with your assembled boards.Quality Assurance Note:All components used in our services are sourced from quality-assured suppliers, with traceability throughout the supply chain.Could you kindly provide your order number ? Alternatively, you may contact us directly at support@jlcpcb.com or submit a quality complaint in order history. This will enable our teams to promptly investigate the issue and identify the root cause.

author: bookaboo
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 10:32:58 am
content: Pop the can off and see what the markings are on the ICs underneath. Even better if you have a module from Digikey which you can compare with. Very interested to hear how this pans out.

author: jc101
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 03:09:10 pm
content: I have 100 ESP32-S3-WROOM-1-N8R8 from LCSC sealed in their foil bag. Tempted to pop that open before they go off for assemble and see what I've got!

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 14, 2025, 05:27:54 pm
content: There are a few PCN's so the chip ID would be worth looking at? if it's even (fuse) programmed."Chip products: Identified by eFuse bits and chip marking.""Module products: Identified by module marking."ESP32-S3 markings etc.

author: rcbuck
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2025, 03:12:46 am
content: Quote from: JLCPCB Official on July 14, 2025, 10:13:58 amJLCPCB, sorry for the false alarm. I found a Python program this morning that could identify the chip. I ran that and it identified the chip as an ESP32-S3 chip, v0.2.I have spent most of the day trying to get my programming environments working. I use VS Code and Arduino for programming the boards. Neither environment would recognize the chip as an ESP32-S3.I finally uninstalled VS Code and all files/folders on the computer that referenced VS Code and VS Studio. I had installations from 2015 and 2019 in addition to the 2022 installation. I then rebooted the computer and reinstalled VS Code. I setup a project using my code. I was then able to compile the code and program the chip. VS Code identified the chip as an ESP32-S3 part.I don't know why I had the problems. Previously the chips I used were v0.1. The ones JLC installed are v0.2, and possibly that is what created the problem.Next I uninstalled the Arduino environment and reinstalled it. Arduino now also recognizes the chip as an ESP32-S3.I found it a little unsettling to think that JLCPCB had somehow gotten fake chips into their parts inventory. Especially, since you have roughly 14,000 of them in stock. You have built multiple boards for me over the last couple of years and I never had a problem.I am glad this has been solved, and again, I am sorry for the false alarm.

author: floobydust
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2025, 03:31:51 am
content: Can you rename the thread, right now it looks like they supplied fakes - which they did not.

author: rcbuck
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: July 15, 2025, 06:12:47 am
content: Quote from: floobydust on July 15, 2025, 03:31:51 amDone