Getting Write verify failed every time when try to debug or write without erase.

[Jithin A]

Hi,

We are working with nRF5340 with SDK v2.5.2.

Each time we try to program the board, we get below error.

[ #################### ]  12.131s | Erase file - Done erasing                                                          
[ #################### ]   1.269s | Program file - Done programming                                                    
[ #################### ]   1.299s | Verify file - Done verifying                                                       
[ #################### ]  14.504s | Erase file - Done erasing                                                          
[ #################### ]   2.654s | Program file - Done programming                                                    
[error] [ Client] - Encountered error -160: Command verify_file executed for 2719 milliseconds with result -160        
[error] [  nRF53] - Failed while performing 'Verify' operation on target address 0x00FF8128.                           
-160: Data does not match in address range [0x00FF8128 - 0x00FF8177] (APP UICR)
Expected byte value 0xFF but read 0xFC at address 0x00FF8150.
[error] [  nRF53] - Failed while verifying device. -160: Data does not match in address range [0x00FF8128 - 0x00FF8177] (APP UICR)
Expected byte value 0xFF but read 0xFC at address 0x00FF8150.
[error] [ Worker] - Data does not match in address range [0x00FF8128 - 0x00FF8177] (APP UICR)
Expected byte value 0xFF but read 0xFC at address 0x00FF8150.
ERROR: Write verify failed.
NOTE: For additional output, try running again with logging enabled (--log).
NOTE: Any generated log error messages will be displayed.
FATAL ERROR: command exited with status 25: nrfjprog --program 'd:\project\..\build\zephyr\GENERATED_CP_APPLICATION_merged_domains.hex' --sectorerase --verify -f NRF53 --coprocessor CP_APPLICATION --snr 960130361

We do not see this error if we try Erase and Flash option from VS Code. We observe the same issue even with the nRF5340DK board.

This is very annoying us as we cannot debug or program without erasing. Please help us solving the issue.

We are using VS Code with NRF Connect extensions. SDK v2.5.2.

[Jithin A]

Any update on this?

Please let me know if any additional information is needed.

Thank you in advance

[Michal]

Hello,

Are you using a watchdog timer in your code by change?

Best regards,

Michal

[Jithin A]

Thank you, Maria, for enlighten me about the partitions.

Maria Gilje said:

Are you using a bootloader in your application?

--> Yes, we have integrated secure boot loader in our application.

Please guide me how to not to corrupt these partitions so that it boots properly, or we can debug without erasing the flash.

[Maria Gilje]

Hi Jithin,

I got back to your ticket quite late today, and I will need to give you a proper reply after the weekend.

Thank you for your continued patience with this, and I apologize for the delays.

Best regards,

Maria

[Maria Gilje]

Hi Jithin,

The TF-M: PSA template is a sample which has NSIB enabled by default. Do you get the same UICR error when flashing that sample to your board? If the sample flashes successfully without erasing, then please ensure that your project configures the NSIB like the PSA template sample does.

Best,

Maria

[Jithin A]

Maria Gilje said:

The TF-M: PSA template is a sample which has NSIB enabled by default. Do you get the same UICR error when flashing that sample to your board? If the sample flashes successfully without erasing, then please ensure that your project configures the NSIB like the PSA template sample does.

--> Maria, first time I can flash the code without any issue.

Later if I try to debug/flash without erase, I see below error.

-- west flash: using runner nrfjprog
-- runners.nrfjprog: Flashing file: d:\work\nrf\app\tfm_psa_template\build\zephyr\merged.hex
[error] [ Worker] - Can't read memory descriptors, ap-protection is enabled.
[error] [ Client] - Encountered error -90: Command read_memory_descriptors executed for 15 milliseconds with result -90
[error] [ Client] - Encountered error -90: Command erase_file executed for 188 milliseconds with result -90
[error] [  nRF53] - Failed while detecting device memory block protection status!                                      
[error] [  nRF53] - Failed while erasing device. -90: Access protection is enabled, can't read block protection state.
[error] [ Worker] - Access protection is enabled, can't read block protection state.
ERROR: The operation attempted is unavailable due to readback protection in
ERROR: your device. Please use --recover to unlock the device.
NOTE: For additional output, try running again with logging enabled (--log).
NOTE: Any generated log error messages will be displayed.
ERROR: runners.nrfjprog: Flashing failed because the target must be recovered.
  To fix, run "west flash --recover" instead.
  Note: your target is an nRF53; all flash memory for both the network and application cores will be erased prior to reflashing.
FATAL ERROR: command exited with status 24: nrfjprog --program 'd:\work\nrf\app\tfm_psa_template\build\zephyr\merged.hex' --sectorerase --verify -f NRF53 --coprocessor CP_APPLICATION --snr 1050014096

I see, first we need to program provisioning bin first and then we need to program PSA template to run properly, and I did the same. First time it worked well.

Please let me know if I am doing anything wrong.

I am using SDK v2.6.0

[Maria Gilje]

Hi Jithin,

This error is expected. The PSA template sample is only meant to be programmed to the board once, and then the next firmware updates are done with DFU, not by flashing. See the Firmware update section for the sample for details.

Best regards,

Maria