nRF9161 DK: Fails to verify device in QuickStart 1.5.2

[dfdl]

Hello,

I can no longer use AT commands on my nRF9161 DK development board.

It used to work perfectly, but I don't know what happened.

I had previously completed the "Cellular IoT Fundamentals" course.

Nordic SDK: 2.8.0

Toolchain: 2.8.0

Environment: Linux Ubuntu 22.04

Note: I migrated to SDK v3.1.1, but it still doesn't work, and the same goes for the toolchain.

Here are the logs:

2025-11-11T11:35:12.603Z INFO Initialising the bundled nrfutil device
2025-11-11T11:35:12.610Z DEBUG Started watching devices
2025-11-11T11:35:12.733Z INFO Using the bundled core version for nrfutil device: 8.1.1
2025-11-11T11:35:12.830Z INFO Using nrfutil device version: 2.13.2
2025-11-11T11:35:12.831Z INFO Using nrf-device-lib version: 0.19.0
2025-11-11T11:35:12.831Z INFO Using nrf-probe version: 0.45.0
2025-11-11T11:35:12.831Z INFO Using SEGGER J-Link version: JLink_V8.66
2025-11-11T11:35:12.831Z INFO Your version of SEGGER J-Link (8.66) is newer than the one this app was tested with (8.60). The tested version is not required, and your J-Link version will most likely work fine. If you get issues related to J-Link with your devices, use the tested version.
2025-11-11T11:35:15.604Z DEBUG Selected device: nRF9161 DK
2025-11-11T11:35:15.638Z DEBUG Changed step: Info
2025-11-11T11:35:17.478Z DEBUG Changed step: Rename
2025-11-11T11:35:18.332Z DEBUG Changed step: Program
2025-11-11T11:36:40.432Z DEBUG Changed step: Verify
2025-11-11T11:36:43.435Z INFO Opened port with options: {"path":"/dev/ttyACM0","baudRate":115200}
2025-11-11T11:36:45.436Z ERROR Received ERROR as return value from AT command
2025-11-11T11:36:45.439Z INFO Closed port: /dev/ttyACM0

[Simon D-M]

Hello,

I can't reproduce the error on my side. Can you please share which program you flashed into the dk?

Also, if you connect a serial terminal while doing the quick start, you should be able to see the AT commands being sent to the device.

You should see something like that:

Can you confirm that you see the AT commands?

Best regards

Simon D-M

[dfdl]

Thank you for your reply . 

i'm following this course again :  
cellular-iot-fundamentals/lessons/lesson-2-cellular-fundamentals/topic/lesson-2-exercise-1/

Here are some more screenshots after flashing the AT command application program:



Skip and open terminal




When I send AT commands, I receive no response.


Regards, 

Fabrice

[Simon D-M]

Thank you for all the additional information.

dfdl said:

Here is the step by step explanation : 

• I connect the board to the computer.
• I launch the nRF Connect Desktop v5.2.0 application.
• I open the Quick Start application.
• I wait for the board to be automatically detected.
• I click Continue.
• I do not rename the board and click Continue.
• I select the "AT Commands" application and then click Program.
• Once the application is programmed, I click Continue.
• Then I wait for the verification information to be displayed.

The steps you are taking are right, no issue here.

dfdl said:

As you suggested, here are the signal analyzer screenshots.

From what I can see, it is indeed working correctly.

dfdl said:

I can see that it is answering correctly to the AT commands, is the problem still here?

Is it only happening with the quick start's AT command app ?

When you build and program a sample that supports AT commands, does it work ?

Best regards,

Simon D-M

[dfdl]

Yes, the problem only appears in the AT program.

Please which samples would you recommend I test?

I tried this example cell fund course lesson2 and it didn't work as expected.



Regards, 

Fabrice

[Simon D-M]

I would recommend trying the serial_lte_modem sample, as it should be the same app the quick start programs when selecting "AT Commands".

You can also try at_client, which is a more bare-bones sample for AT commands.

If you see issue with these applications, please send the modem traces (DevAcademy).

Best regards,

Simon D-M

[dfdl]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I tested both applications, and for the `sample serial_lte_modem`, I got the same result as before.

However, when I tested the `sample at_client`, I got a different result, as you can see in the following image:

[Simon D-M]

Hi,

dfdl said:

I tested both applications, and for the `sample serial_lte_modem`, I got the same result as before.

Sorry, I can't find what result you had. Can you share the results please ?

Does this mean that it doesn't work only when you go through the quick start app ?

Best regards,

Simon D-M