nrfjprog - ERROR: There is no debugger connected to the PC

[K.Eranda]

Hello!

I’m quite new to the nRF microchips and am trying to programme my nRF52-DK board following this guide (https://infocenter.nordicsemi.com/pdf/getting_started_keil.pdf).

I’ve gotten to section 8 on page 16 where I’m trying to erase the board with nrfjprog but I get this error message:”ERROR: There is no debugger connected to the PC.” when I run the command “nrfjprog --family nRF52 --eraseall” as shown in the tutorial. Ive also tried “nrfjprog --eraseall” but I get the same error and “nrfjprog --ids” returns nothing.

I have version 10.9.0 for the nrfjprog and 6.80a for the JLinkARM.dll – which I got using the command “nrfjprog --version”:

Using nRFgo Studio shows no board connected:

When connecting the board a removable device named JLINK does indeed appear and copying an example (Blinky) hex file into it runs it so it doesn’t seem to be an issue with the board or the cable?

I have uninstalled and installed several times the latest versions of the following programmes in 32 and 64 bit (my pc is 64) but there is no change:

• nRF Command Line Tools (10.9.0)
• nRFgo Studio (1.21.2)

I’ve also tried the IF BOOT/RESET button press while power cycling to get “BOOTLOADER” removable device open and copying the J-LINK interface MCU firmware bin file (version 170742) into it which successfully seems to execute but again no dice in getting past the error message mentioned above.

I don’t think the chip is bricked since all the LEDs turn on and the last “Blinky” example I ran (by copying the hex file into the JLINK removable device) is still running when its powered on.

 

I’ve scoured google and the forums but none of the solutions worked. I’m hoping you guys can help me solve this issue

Thanks a lot in advance

[wendytang2000]

HI K,

I am having the same issue here. I got the same error message 'There is no debugger connected to the PC" when executing nrfjprog. I couldn't connect to J-link either. When I talked to a friend who is also using nRF52, he doesn't have any issue. How did you resolve yours? Thanks.

Wendy

[K.Eranda]

Hi Wendy, Sorry for the late reply.

My issue was purely on my end & it was because I had previously used an Arduino Core (by sandeepmistry) to programme my nRF chip. To set this up I had modified the driver - which makes it incompatible with the standard nrfprog - but is required for the Arduino core to work.

Later on I tried switching from Arduino to SES/nrfjprog without resetting the changes to the driver and hence it didn't work - however as soon as I rolled back the original changes it was working. In case you also did this you can see how to roll back the driver on on sandeep's Arduino core github.

Essentially to roll back to the original driver go to: Device Manager -> Right click on device -> Check box for "Delete the driver software for this device" and click Uninstall"