nRF52 DK (PCA10040 v3.0.0 2023.22) Not Recognized by PC – J-Link Interface Not Working

[Victor Alessi]

Description:

My nRF52 DK has stopped being recognized by my PC. Below are the details of the issue:

• Kit Info: PCA10040 v3.0.0 (2023.22), nRF52832 target MCU

• Operating System: Windows 11

• J-Link Drivers Tried: v8.34 (latest) and v7.94i (latest tested with nRF Connect)
  
  

Issue Details:

• The DK does not show up in Windows Device Manager. I have tried:

  • Multiple USB cables (known to be functional)

  • Multiple USB ports

  • Multiple computers

• I attempted to enter bootloader mode by holding the IF BOOT/RESET button while power cycling the kit. However, the board does not appear as a mass storage device ("BOOTLOADER"), unlike my older DK (v1.2.4 - 2018.23), where I was previously able to recover the J-Link interface by drag-and-dropping the firmware.

• The kit's VDD is 3.2V when powered via USB, which seems within acceptable range.

• The target MCU (nRF52832) still executes the last flashed application (blinks LEDs 1 and 2 as expected), so the target MCU appears functional.

• LED5 is not lighting up, which suggests an issue with the on-board J-Link interface MCU.
  
  

I primarily use the on-board J-Link interface to program/debug external boards, and I need it operational again.

Please advise how I can recover or reflash the on-board J-Link MCU (if possible). Is there a procedure to manually restore it (e.g., using external debugger or via SWD)? Or should I consider the board defective?

I've tried all the procedures listed on this related issue (My nRF52/nRF51 DK kit doesn't work. ) but nothing works.

[Jared]

Hi,

Can you use nrfutil device and run:

nrfutil device x-update-debug-probe-firmware

[Victor Alessi]

Since the probe is not being recognized by the PC, the result is probably as expected. Here it is:

C:\Users\my_user_name>nrfutil device x-update-debug-probe-firmware
Error: No devices with requested serial number(s) or trait(s) found

[Jared]

Hi,

I see..

Do you have a stand alone debugger? I haven't tried, but it might be possible with another devkit as well.

Can you try to flash the interface chip manually by connecting to its SWD interface? It should be under the sticker on the board:

You need a 10 pin J-tag connector. 

Repeat the nrfutil command with the debugger connected to the SWD interface on the board.

best regards

Jared