Radxa Zero 3W does not boot

#1

My Radxa Zero 3W won’t boot. I’ve tried flashing different images to an SD card, but the board still doesn’t boot. I am on windows 10. Specifically, I’ve tested the following images:

  • Armbian_24.8.1_Radxa-zero3_bookworm_vendor_6.1.75.img
  • radxa-zero3_debian_bullseye_xfce_b6.img

Neither image worked. I also attempted booting from the onboard eMMC, but that didn’t help either. I’ve tried different USB cables as well, but with no success. When I connect via serial debugging, I consistently see the same output every time I power on the Radxa Zero 3W (screenshot attached). Any idea what might be going wrong or how I can fix this?

DDR 2d653b3476 typ 24/01/20-15:04:19,fwver: v1.21
ln
LP4/4x derate en, other dram:1x trefi
ddrconfig:0
LPDDR4, 324MHz
BW=32 Col=10 Bk=8 CS0 Row=16 CS=1 Die BW=16 Size=2048MB
tdqss: cs0 dqs0: -24ps, dqs1: 3062ps, dqs2: -72ps, dqs3: -96ps, 

change to: 324MHz
PHY drv:clk:38,ca:38,DQ:30,odt:0
vrefinner:41%, vrefout:41%
dram drv:40,odt:0
clk skew:0x58
err: rdtrn err
rx vref: 41.9%
err: cs 0 wrtrn err
tx vref: 42.0%

change to: 528MHz
PHY drv:clk:38,ca:38,DQ:30,odt:0
vrefinner:41%, vrefout:41%
dram drv:40,odt:0
clk skew:0x80
err: rdtrn err
rx vref: 41.9%
err: cs 0 wrtrn err
tx vref: 42.0%

change to: 780MHz
PHY drv:clk:38,ca:38,DQ:30,odt:60
vrefinner:16%, vrefout:41%
dram drv:40,odt:0
clk skew:0x58
err: rdtrn err
rx vref: 16.4%
err: cs 0 wrtrn err
tx vref: 42.0%

change to: 1056MHz(final freq)
PHY drv:clk:38,ca:38,DQ:30,odt:60
vrefinner:16%, vrefout:29%
dram drv:40,odt:80
vref_ca:00000068
clk skew:0x28
err: rdtrn err
rx vref: 16.4%
err: cs 0 wrtrn err
tx vref: 30.0%
cs 0:
the read training result:
DQS0:0x3c, DQS1:0x3b, DQS2:0x39, DQS3:0x3b, 
min  : 0xc  0xd  0xd  0xb  0x2  0x2  0x7  0x2 , 0x8 0x7f  0x4  0x2  0x8  0xc  0xc  0x9 ,
       0x3  0x4  0x4  0x5  0x1  0x3  0x3  0x5 , 0x2  0x5  0x6  0x1  0x5  0x8  0x2  0x3 ,
mid  :0x2a 0x2a 0x2b 0x29 0x1f 0x21 0x26 0x20 ,0x25 0x3f 0x20 0x1e 0x27 0x29 0x28 0x26 ,
      0x22 0x22 0x20 0x23 0x1f 0x21 0x20 0x22 ,0x20 0x22 0x23 0x1e 0x22 0x24 0x20 0x20 ,
max  :0x48 0x48 0x4a 0x47 0x3d 0x40 0x45 0x3e ,0x43  0x0 0x3d 0x3b 0x47 0x47 0x45 0x44 ,
      0x41 0x41 0x3d 0x41 0x3d 0x3f 0x3d 0x3f ,0x3f 0x40 0x40 0x3c 0x3f 0x41 0x3f 0x3e ,
range:0x3c 0x3b 0x3d 0x3c 0x3b 0x3e 0x3e 0x3c ,0x3b 0xffffff81 0x39 0x39 0x3f 0x3b 0x39 0x3b ,
      0x3e 0x3d 0x39 0x3c 0x3c 0x3c 0x3a 0x3a ,0x3d 0x3b 0x3a 0x3b 0x3a 0x39 0x3d 0x3b ,
the write training result:
DQS0:0x25, DQS1:0xc5, DQS2:0x1f, DQS3:0x1c, 
min  :0x57 0x58 0x58 0x56 0x4e 0x50 0x54 0x4f 0x51 ,0x73 0xff 0x70 0x6e 0x73 0x77 0x76 0x75 0x73 ,
      0x49 0x49 0x48 0x49 0x47 0x47 0x47 0x4a 0x45 ,0x48 0x49 0x48 0x45 0x47 0x49 0x45 0x46 0x47 ,
mid  :0x72 0x73 0x74 0x71 0x69 0x6a 0x6f 0x6a 0x6c ,0x8e 0x7f 0x89 0x88 0x8f 0x91 0x90 0x8f 0x8d ,
      0x66 0x65 0x63 0x65 0x61 0x61 0x62 0x65 0x60 ,0x61 0x62 0x61 0x5d 0x5f 0x61 0x5f 0x5f 0x61 ,
max  :0x8e 0x8f 0x90 0x8c 0x84 0x85 0x8a 0x85 0x87 ,0xa9  0x0 0xa3 0xa2 0xab 0xac 0xab 0xaa 0xa7 ,
      0x83 0x82 0x7e 0x81 0x7c 0x7c 0x7d 0x80 0x7b ,0x7a 0x7b 0x7b 0x75 0x78 0x7a 0x79 0x79 0x7c ,
range:0x37 0x37 0x38 0x36 0x36 0x35 0x36 0x36 0x36 ,0x36 0xffffff01 0x33 0x34 0x38 0x35 0x35 0x35 0x34 ,
      0x3a 0x39 0x36 0x38 0x35 0x35 0x36 0x36 0x36 ,0x32 0x32 0x33 0x30 0x31 0x31 0x34 0x33 0x35 ,
CA Training result:
cs:0 min  :0x49  0x0 0x42 0x38 0x3f 0x37 0x75 ,0x4a 0x45 0x3f 0x33 0x3d 0x33 0x45 ,
cs:0 mid  :0x85 0x7f 0x7d 0x79 0x7a 0x79 0x74 ,0x85 0x85 0x7a 0x74 0x78 0x75 0x71 ,
cs:0 max  :0xc2 0xff 0xb8 0xbb 0xb6 0xbc 0x73 ,0xc0 0xc6 0xb6 0xb5 0xb4 0xb7 0x9d ,
cs:0 range:0x79 0xff 0x76 0x83 0x77 0x85 0xfffffffe ,0x76 0x81 0x77 0x82 0x77 0x84 0x58 ,
out
DDR 2d653b3476 typ 24/01/20-15:04:19,fwver: v1.21
ln
LP4/4x derate en, other dram:1x trefi
SRX
ddrconfig:0
LPDDR4, 324MHz
BW=32 Col=10 Bk=8 CS0 Row=16 CS=1 Die BW=16 Size=2048MB
tdqss: cs0 dqs0: 48ps, dqs1: 3062ps, dqs2: -48ps, dqs3: -96ps, 

change to: 324MHz
PHY drv:clk:38,ca:38,DQ:30,odt:0
vrefinner:41%, vrefout:41%
dram drv:40,odt:0
clk skew:0x58
err: rdtrn err
rx vref: 41.9%
err: cs 0 wrtrn err
tx vref: 42.0%

change to: 528MHz
PHY drv:clk:38,ca:38,DQ:30,odt:0
vrefinner:41%, vrefout:41%
dram drv:40,odt:0
clk skew:0x80
err: rdtrn err
rx vref: 41.9%
err: cs 0 wrtrn err
tx vref: 42.0%

change to: 780MHz
PHY drv:clk:38,ca:38,DQ:30,odt:60
vrefinner:16%, vrefout:41%
dram drv:40,odt:0
clk skew:0x58
err: rdtrn err
rx vref: 16.4%
err: cs 0 wrtrn err
tx vref: 42.0%

change to: 1056MHz(final freq)
PHY drv:clk:38,ca:38,DQ:30,odt:60
vrefinner:16%, vrefout:29%
dram drv:40,odt:80
vref_ca:00000068
clk skew:0x28
err: rdtrn err
rx vref: 16.4%
err: cs 0 wrtrn err
tx vref: 30.0%
cs 0:
the read training result:
DQS0:0x3c, DQS1:0x3b, DQS2:0x39, DQS3:0x3b, 
min  : 0xc  0xd  0xd  0xb  0x2  0x3  0x7  0x3 , 0x8 0x7f  0x4  0x2  0x8  0xc  0xc  0x9 ,
       0x3  0x3  0x3  0x5  0x2  0x3  0x3  0x5 , 0x2  0x5  0x6  0x1  0x5  0x7  0x3  0x3 ,
mid  :0x2a 0x2a 0x2b 0x28 0x1f 0x21 0x26 0x20 ,0x25 0x3f 0x20 0x1e 0x27 0x29 0x28 0x26 ,
      0x22 0x22 0x20 0x23 0x1f 0x21 0x20 0x22 ,0x20 0x22 0x23 0x1e 0x22 0x23 0x21 0x20 ,
max  :0x48 0x48 0x4a 0x46 0x3d 0x40 0x45 0x3e ,0x43  0x0 0x3d 0x3b 0x47 0x47 0x45 0x44 ,
      0x41 0x41 0x3d 0x41 0x3d 0x3f 0x3d 0x3f ,0x3f 0x40 0x40 0x3c 0x3f 0x40 0x3f 0x3e ,
range:0x3c 0x3b 0x3d 0x3b 0x3b 0x3d 0x3e 0x3b ,0x3b 0xffffff81 0x39 0x39 0x3f 0x3b 0x39 0x3b ,
      0x3e 0x3e 0x3a 0x3c 0x3b 0x3c 0x3a 0x3a ,0x3d 0x3b 0x3a 0x3b 0x3a 0x39 0x3c 0x3b ,
the write training result:
DQS0:0x2e, DQS1:0xc5, DQS2:0x22, DQS3:0x1c, 
min  :0x5f 0x62 0x63 0x5d 0x56 0x58 0x5c 0x57 0x59 ,0x73 0xff 0x70 0x6e 0x73 0x77 0x76 0x75 0x73 ,
      0x4d 0x4d 0x4b 0x4c 0x4a 0x4a 0x4a 0x4d 0x48 ,0x48 0x49 0x48 0x45 0x47 0x48 0x45 0x46 0x47 ,
mid  :0x7b 0x7d 0x7e 0x79 0x71 0x73 0x78 0x73 0x74 ,0x8e 0x7f 0x89 0x87 0x8f 0x91 0x90 0x8f 0x8d ,
      0x69 0x68 0x66 0x67 0x63 0x63 0x65 0x67 0x62 ,0x61 0x62 0x61 0x5d 0x5f 0x61 0x5f 0x5f 0x61 ,
max  :0x97 0x98 0x9a 0x96 0x8d 0x8f 0x94 0x8f 0x8f ,0xa9  0x0 0xa3 0xa1 0xab 0xac 0xab 0xaa 0xa7 ,
      0x85 0x84 0x81 0x83 0x7d 0x7d 0x81 0x82 0x7c ,0x7a 0x7b 0x7b 0x75 0x78 0x7a 0x79 0x79 0x7b ,
range:0x38 0x36 0x37 0x39 0x37 0x37 0x38 0x38 0x36 ,0x36 0xffffff01 0x33 0x33 0x38 0x35 0x35 0x35 0x34 ,
      0x38 0x37 0x36 0x37 0x33 0x33 0x37 0x35 0x34 ,0x32 0x32 0x33 0x30 0x31 0x32 0x34 0x33 0x34 ,
CA Training result:
cs:0 min  :0x49  0x0 0x42 0x38 0x3f 0x37 0x75 ,0x4a 0x45 0x3f 0x33 0x3d 0x33 0x45 ,
cs:0 mid  :0x85 0x7f 0x7d 0x79 0x7a 0x79 0x74 ,0x85 0x85 0x7a 0x74 0x78 0x74 0x71 ,
cs:0 max  :0xc2 0xff 0xb8 0xbb 0xb6 0xbb 0x73 ,0xc0 0xc6 0xb6 0xb5 0xb4 0xb6 0x9d ,
cs:0 range:0x79 0xff 0x76 0x83 0x77 0x84 0xfffffffe ,0x76 0x81 0x77 0x82 0x77 0x83 0x58 ,
out

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#2

Hi @sahar,

Regarding SD card boot:
Normally, the Debian XFCE B6 image released on the official website is very stable.
Did you follow the steps outlined here to flash the SD card? →
:point_right: https://docs.radxa.com/en/zero/zero3/getting-started/install-os

Regarding eMMC boot:
Please try using version 2.86 of the RKDevTool utility:
:link: https://dl.radxa.com/tools/windows/RKDevTool_Release_v2.86.zip

Use the configuration shown in the image below:

img_v3_02mo_50bf1a0d-3e9d-4e39-a327-5b98656b9c9g
img_v3_02mo_50bf1a0d-3e9d-4e39-a327-5b98656b9c9g.jpg1352×681 118 KB

:warning: Note: When flashing to eMMC, make sure to extract the image file so that it becomes radxa-zero3_debian_bullseye_xfce_b6.img format before using it.

#3

@Mitchell
For SD Card:
I downloaded the image file titled radxa-zero3_debian_bullseye_xfce_b6.img.xz . Using WinRAR, I extracted it to obtain radxa-zero3_debian_bullseye_xfce_b6.img . Subsequently, I flashed the extracted image onto a 16GB SanDisk Ultra Class 10 microSD card using balenaEtcher version 2.1.2. The flashing process completed successfully. The microSD card was then inserted into the Radxa Zero 3W board, and power was supplied (5V, 3A).

Observed Result:

  • A continuous green LED light appeared on the Radxa Zero 3W.
  • No HDMI output was detected.
  • Serial debugging yielded the following output:
DDR 2d653b3476 typ 24/01/20-15:04:19,fwver: v1.21
ln
LP4/4x derate en, other dram:1x trefi
ddrconfig:0
LPDDR4, 324MHz
BW=32 Col=10 Bk=8 CS0 Row=16 CS=1 Die BW=16 Size=2048MB
tdqss: cs0 dqs0: 48ps, dqs1: 3062ps, dqs2: -72ps, dqs3: -96ps, 

change to: 324MHz
PHY drv:clk:38,ca:38,DQ:30,odt:0
vrefinner:41%, vrefout:41%
dram drv:40,odt:0
clk skew:0x58
err: rdtrn err
rx vref: 41.9%
err: cs 0 wrtrn err
tx vref: 42.0%

change to: 528MHz
PHY drv:clk:38,ca:38,DQ:30,odt:0
vrefinner:41%, vrefout:41%
dram drv:40,odt:0
clk skew:0x80
err: rdtrn err
rx vref: 41.9%
err: cs 0 wrtrn err
tx vref: 42.0%

change to: 780MHz
PHY drv:clk:38,ca:38,DQ:30,odt:60
vrefinner:16%, vrefout:41%
dram drv:40,odt:0
clk skew:0x58
err: rdtrn err
rx vref: 16.4%
err: cs 0 wrtrn err
tx vref: 42.0%

change to: 1056MHz(final freq)
PHY drv:clk:38,ca:38,DQ:30,odt:60
vrefinner:16%, vrefout:29%
dram drv:40,odt:80
vref_ca:00000068
clk skew:0x28
err: rdtrn err
rx vref: 16.4%
err: cs 0 wrtrn err
tx vref: 30.0%
cs 0:
the read training result:
DQS0:0x3b, DQS1:0x3b, DQS2:0x39, DQS3:0x3b, 
min  : 0xb  0xb  0xb  0x9  0x1  0x1  0x5  0x1 , 0x8 0x7f  0x4  0x1  0x8  0xc  0xd  0x9 ,
       0x3  0x3  0x4  0x5  0x2  0x3  0x3  0x5 , 0x2  0x6  0x6  0x1  0x6  0x7  0x2  0x5 ,
mid  :0x29 0x29 0x29 0x27 0x1e 0x1f 0x24 0x1f ,0x25 0x3f 0x20 0x1e 0x27 0x29 0x29 0x26 ,
      0x22 0x22 0x20 0x23 0x1f 0x21 0x20 0x22 ,0x20 0x22 0x23 0x1e 0x22 0x23 0x20 0x21 ,
max  :0x47 0x47 0x48 0x45 0x3b 0x3e 0x43 0x3d ,0x43  0x0 0x3d 0x3b 0x47 0x47 0x45 0x44 ,
      0x41 0x41 0x3d 0x41 0x3d 0x3f 0x3d 0x3f ,0x3e 0x3f 0x40 0x3c 0x3f 0x40 0x3e 0x3e ,
range:0x3c 0x3c 0x3d 0x3c 0x3a 0x3d 0x3e 0x3c ,0x3b 0xffffff81 0x39 0x3a 0x3f 0x3b 0x38 0x3b ,
      0x3e 0x3e 0x39 0x3c 0x3b 0x3c 0x3a 0x3a ,0x3c 0x39 0x3a 0x3b 0x39 0x39 0x3c 0x39 ,
the write training result:
DQS0:0x2e, DQS1:0xc5, DQS2:0x1f, DQS3:0x1c, 
min  :0x62 0x62 0x63 0x5d 0x56 0x58 0x5c 0x58 0x59 ,0x73 0xff 0x70 0x6e 0x73 0x77 0x77 0x76 0x73 ,
      0x4a 0x4a 0x49 0x49 0x47 0x47 0x48 0x4a 0x45 ,0x48 0x49 0x48 0x45 0x47 0x49 0x45 0x46 0x47 ,
mid  :0x7d 0x7d 0x7e 0x79 0x72 0x73 0x78 0x73 0x74 ,0x8e 0x7f 0x89 0x88 0x8f 0x91 0x91 0x90 0x8d ,
      0x67 0x66 0x64 0x65 0x61 0x61 0x63 0x65 0x60 ,0x61 0x62 0x61 0x5d 0x60 0x62 0x5f 0x60 0x61 ,
max  :0x98 0x99 0x9a 0x96 0x8e 0x8f 0x94 0x8f 0x90 ,0xa9  0x0 0xa3 0xa2 0xab 0xac 0xab 0xaa 0xa7 ,
      0x84 0x82 0x80 0x81 0x7c 0x7c 0x7e 0x81 0x7b ,0x7b 0x7b 0x7b 0x76 0x79 0x7b 0x7a 0x7a 0x7c ,
range:0x36 0x37 0x37 0x39 0x38 0x37 0x38 0x37 0x37 ,0x36 0xffffff01 0x33 0x34 0x38 0x35 0x34 0x34 0x34 ,
      0x3a 0x38 0x37 0x38 0x35 0x35 0x36 0x37 0x36 ,0x33 0x32 0x33 0x31 0x32 0x32 0x35 0x34 0x35 ,
CA Training result:
cs:0 min  :0x49  0x0 0x43 0x37 0x3e 0x37 0x75 ,0x4a 0x45 0x3f 0x32 0x3d 0x33 0x45 ,
cs:0 mid  :0x85 0x7f 0x7d 0x79 0x7a 0x79 0x74 ,0x85 0x85 0x7a 0x73 0x78 0x75 0x71 ,
cs:0 max  :0xc2 0xff 0xb8 0xbb 0xb6 0xbb 0x73 ,0xc0 0xc6 0xb6 0xb5 0xb4 0xb7 0x9d ,
cs:0 range:0x79 0xff 0x75 0x84 0x78 0x84 0xfffffffe ,0x76 0x81 0x77 0x83 0x77 0x84 0x58 ,
out
DDR V1.18 f366f69a7d typ 23/07/17-15:48:58
ln
LP4/4x derate en, other dram:1x trefi
SRX
ddrconfig:0
LP4 MR14:0x4d
LPDDR4, 324MHz
BW=32 Col=10 Bk=8 CS0 Row=16 CS=1 Die BW=16 Size=2048MB
tdqss: cs0 dqs0: 48ps, dqs1: 3062ps, dqs2: -72ps, dqs3: -96ps, 

change to: 324MHz
clk skew:0x58
error cs 0 read training error

change to: 528MHz
clk skew:0xfc

change to: 780MHz
lowest freq may be too high!!!
clk skew:0xcc

change to: 1056MHz(final freq)
PHY drv:clk:38,ca:38,DQ:30,odt:60
vrefinner:16%, vrefout:29%
dram drv:40,odt:80
vref_ca:00000068
lowest freq may be too high!!!
clk skew:0x98
error cs 0 read training error
cs 0:
the read training result:
DQS0:0x1f, DQS1:0x3a, DQS2:0x1f, DQS3:0x1f, 
min  :0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f , 0x8 0x7f  0x4  0x1  0x9  0xb 0x10  0x8 ,
      0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f ,0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f ,
mid  :0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f ,0x24 0x3f 0x20 0x1d 0x26 0x26 0x2c 0x24 ,
      0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f ,0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f 0x3f ,
max  : 0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0 ,0x41  0x0 0x3d 0x39 0x43 0x42 0x48 0x41 ,
       0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0 , 0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0 ,
range:0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 ,0x39 0xffffff81 0x39 0x38 0x3a 0x37 0x38 0x39 ,
      0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 ,0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 0xffffff81 ,
the write training result:
DQS0:0x82, DQS1:0xff, DQS2:0x7d, DQS3:0x7c, 
min  :0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff ,0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff ,
      0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff ,0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff ,
mid  :0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f ,0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f ,
      0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f ,0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f 0x7f ,
max  : 0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0 , 0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0 ,
       0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0 , 0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0  0x0 ,
range:0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 ,0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 ,
      0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 ,0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 0xffffff01 ,
CA Training result:
cs:0 min  : 0x0  0x0 0x3d 0x39  0x0 0x38 0xb5 ,0xc7 0xc7  0x0  0x0 0xbb  0x0 0xb5 ,
cs:0 mid  :0x7f 0x7f 0x7a 0x78 0x7f 0x78 0xb4 ,0xe3 0xe3 0x7f 0x7f 0xdd 0x7f 0xb4 ,
cs:0 max  :0xff 0xff 0xb8 0xb7 0xff 0xb8 0xb3 ,0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xff 0xb3 ,
cs:0 range:0xff 0xff 0x7b 0x7e 0xff 0x80 0xfffffffe ,0x38 0x38 0xff 0xff 0x44 0xff 0xfffffffe ,
out

For EMMC - On Windows 10:
I downloaded RKDevTool_Release_v2.86 from the link you provided. I followed the tutorial https://docs.radxa.com/en/zero/zero3/low-level-dev/install-os-on-emmc. Tried to flash the image and loader but no success. RKDevTool log says:

21:13:56 277	RKDevTool v2.8.6.0 start run
21:14:08 603	Layer<1-3>:Download Boot Start
21:14:12 247	Layer<1-3>:Download Boot Success
21:14:12 253	Layer<1-3>:Wait For Maskrom Start
21:14:12 786	Layer<1-3>:Wait For Maskrom Success
21:14:12 789	Layer<1-3>:Test Device Start
21:14:12 796	Error:RKU_Write-->WriteFile failed,bRet=0,err=31,size=31,write=0
21:14:19 862	ERROR:RKU_ResetPipe-->DeviceIoControl failed,err=121
21:14:19 871	<LAYER 1-3> ERROR:TestDevice-->RKU_TestDeviceReady failed,RetCode(-3),path=\\?\USB#VID_2207&PID_350A#5&DE8667A&0&3#{a5dcbf10-6530-11d2-901f-00c04fb951ed}
21:14:25 925	Error:RKU_Write-->WriteFile failed,bRet=0,err=995,size=31,write=0
21:14:32 939	ERROR:RKU_ResetPipe-->DeviceIoControl failed,err=121
21:14:32 940	<LAYER 1-3> ERROR:TestDevice-->RKU_TestDeviceReady failed,RetCode(-3),path=\\?\USB#VID_2207&PID_350A#5&DE8667A&0&3#{a5dcbf10-6530-11d2-901f-00c04fb951ed}
21:14:39 002	Error:RKU_Write-->WriteFile failed,bRet=0,err=995,size=31,write=0
21:14:46 011	ERROR:RKU_ResetPipe-->DeviceIoControl failed,err=121
21:14:46 012	<LAYER 1-3> ERROR:TestDevice-->RKU_TestDeviceReady failed,RetCode(-3),path=\\?\USB#VID_2207&PID_350A#5&DE8667A&0&3#{a5dcbf10-6530-11d2-901f-00c04fb951ed}
21:14:47 085	Error:Layer<1-3>:Test Device Fail
21:14:47 164	Layer<1-3>: RunProc is ending, ret=0

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For EMMC - On Linux using rkdeveloptool

sudo rkdeveloptool ld
DevNo=1 Vid=0x2207,Pid=0x350a,LocationID=103   Maskrom

sudo rkdeveloptool db rk356x_spl_loader_ddr1056_v1.10.111.bin
Downloading bootloader...
Downloading bootloader succeeded.

sudo rkdeveloptool wl 0 radxa-zero3_debian_bullseye_xfce_b6.img
Write LBA failed!

IMPORTANT:
One thing is very strange, it seems my radxa zero 3w always remain in maskrom state? Green light always on. No matter how i connect it to usb port of my laptop with or without pressing maskrom button on its back.

@RadxaYuntian @ryann Is my board faulty? ddr/memory/bootloader/emmc/uboot corrupt? Fow now i am not worried about SD card thing. I am more eager to solve emmc problem.

#4

The error does look like memory hardware issue. Please contact the original seller for warranty options.

#5

Hello, I have the exact same issue. It seems that if I keep pressing down hard on the ram chip it boots like normal. I think that the board might need a reflow to ensure good connections. Either way, that is just my case and yours could be different.

#6

@ciprianursu16 I believe your observations are accurate. During my attempts to flash the image onto the Radxa Zero 3W, I found it necessary to maintain constant pressure on the RAM module while connecting the device to my laptop, and to continue pressing it throughout the flashing process. If I released the pressure at any point, an error would occur, causing the flashing process to fail.

By keeping the RAM module pressed while connecting the Radxa Zero 3W to the computer, the flashing process would commence successfully; however, it would halt immediately if I removed my thumb. Maintaining pressure on the RAM module for the entire duration of the flashing process is quite painful, as one has to keep direct contact with a chip that reaches approximately 70 degrees Celsius for around three minutes — a rather unbearable situation.

Although the Radxa Zero 3W does boot successfully after the image is flashed, the same issue persists: when I release the pressure on the RAM module, the system halts again at the login screen. Unfortunately, it is simply not feasible to keep pressing a hot RAM module with my fingers to keep the device operational.

#7

@RadxaYuntian Unfortunately, I purchased the unit via AliExpress and returning it to the original seller is not a viable option at this stage. Due to recent restrictions on cheap Aliexpress shipping including Cainiao services in Sri Lanka and Pakistan, affordable international shipping has become virtually impossible for me.

#8

My Experience with the Radxa Zero 3W (2GB RAM, 16GB eMMC) – A Colourful Paperweight

Let me share my honest and painfully disappointing experience with the Radxa Zero 3W, specifically the 2GB RAM / 16GB eMMC variant.

:wrench: General Observations

  1. Build quality? Utterly poor.
  2. Component soldering? Some of the ugliest, sloppiest SMT work I have ever seen — especially on the RAM and eMMC.
  3. Heat? The board runs too hot to touch under normal operating conditions.
  4. Community support? Practically non-existent. The forum is full of unresolved threads and user complaints left unanswered.
  5. Boot stability? Inconsistent and unreliable. You are essentially flipping a coin every time you power it on.

:warning: Specific Observations

  1. The board seems to boot only when it feels like it.
  2. SD card boot is random — sometimes it works, sometimes it does not.
  3. Serial output regularly complains about “memory training”. What even is that, and why does it fail so often?
  4. It frequently remains stuck in MaskROM mode: the green light stays solid, and the board becomes completely unresponsive — regardless of how many times you press the button.
  5. Flashing images to the eMMC? Half the time it fails with vague errors: test device failed, DDR init failed, communication failed — take your pick.

On the rare occasion it does boot an old Debian XFCE image, it freezes within minutes. The green LED goes out, and the system halts. The strangest part? Physically pressing on the RAM chip sometimes wakes it up. (What is this — a pressure switch?)

I have tried every recommended USB-C cable, power supply, and flashing tool version (v2.81, 2.86, 2.96) — none resolved these problems. Now it is just sitting in my drawer: a nice-looking but ultimately useless coloured header board. I had high hopes when I purchased this, wanting to explore alternatives to the Raspberry Pi. But now? I finally understand why someone once called me foolish for praising Pi alternatives. To be frank, this board is an unstable mess, and the lack of proper support or solutions makes it all the more frustrating. Unless Radxa seriously improves its quality control, documentation, and community support, this will remain just another failed Pi alternative in my view.

End of rant. Thank you for reading — and best of luck to anyone still trying to make theirs work. You will need it.

Suggestion for the Radxa Team
@RadxaYuntian Why not change your PCB board manufacturer, given the enormous number of complaints regarding build quality and issues with memory, RAM, and soldering**?** Clearly, Radxa boards are in trouble. I am now hesitant to purchase your higher-end boards, including the X4. Once, Radxa was known for producing resilient boards — back in 2018, they had an excellent reputation — but, ironically, the quality has steadily degraded over the years.

#9

@sahar I have to completely agree with you. The board’s soldering issue gave me headaches ever since I bought the board, firstly it was booting once every 2-3 tries or so and ultimately stopped booting, with the green led just staying on all the time. I kept trying to flash the board again using RkDevTool (tried every single version) with no success, just a bunch of failures just like you said, but I think that it works fine if the board was actually working .It took me a good 2 weeks to find out about the ram chip not being soldered on properly thinking I managed to somehow fry it. Finally, I tried reflowing the board but I somehow managed to destroy the ram chip (which I know is my fault), so I remain with a useless PCB in my drawer. This kept my project back for 2 weeks and now I am waiting for my raspberry pi to arrive.

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