nRF Connect Software doesn't recognize nRF9160DK

[ricanontherun]

Hello,

I'm evaluating both the Thingy:91 and nRF9160, trying to walk through the Getting Started Tutorial. Despite connecting my nRF9160DK to my Macbook (via an HMDI/USB splitter) and getting power to the board, the nRF Connect Software doesn't recognize the device (it doesn't appear as an option in the programmer tool device dropdown).

Development Environment Details:

• MacOs Big Sur 11.6
• nRF Connect For Desktop v3.8.0
  • Toolchain Manager installed, nRF Connect SDK v1.8.0 installed
  • Programmer Tool installed

A colleague was able to connect theirs to their Macbook in a similar way, using a dongle. Not sure what the issue is.

[Marte Myrvold]

Hi,

What version of nrfjprog and J-Link do you have? You can find this by executing the following command in a terminal: nrfjprog --version.

Can you check if nrfjprog is able to see your device with nrfjprog --com? The serial number and COM port of the device should show up if it is able to find the device.

Best regards,

Marte

[ricanontherun]

Hey,

Jlink:

➜ ~ nrfjprog --version
nrfjprog version: 10.15.1 external
JLinkARM.dll version: 7.60a

➜ ~ nrfjprog --com

empty response

doesn't seem like the device is seen.

[Marte Myrvold]

Hi,

Have you tested using a different cable? Are you able to test if you can see the nRF9160 DK with another computer, or if your computer is able to see other J-Link devices (other DKs or Dongle)?

Does your computer have an M1 or Intel processor? Because of driver incompatibilities, you must use the Intel variant of our tools even for M1 based Mac computers. If your computer is M1 based, please try installing Intel (x86) variants of nRF Command Line Tools, J-Link, and Python.

Best regards,

Marte

[ricanontherun]

I haven't tried using another cable, no. I don't have another computer to use either. I was just notified that there is a MCUBoot button on the Thingy91 (SW4?) ... is there a similar button on the nRF9160DK?

[Marte Myrvold]

Hi,

ricanontherun said:

is there a similar button on the nRF9160DK?

There is no MCUBoot button on nRF9160 DK as it is on the Thingy:91. The reason for the button on the Thingy is so that you can use the secure bootloader on the device to update applications without using an external debugger, since the Thingy does not have an onboard debugger. 

ricanontherun said:

(SW4?)

Yes, to get the Thingy:91 in bootloader mode you must switch the Thingy off, then press SW4 while switching the Thingy on by switching SW1 to the ON position. You can read more about this here: Updating firmware through USB.

Have you tried to power cycle the nRF9160 DK? Sometimes it helps to just disconnect the device and connect it again, or to press the reset button.

Also, do you know whether your computes has an M1 or Intel processor?

Best regards,

Marte

[ricanontherun]

Hey,

I've tried using the SW4/SWI combination a few times, no success. I'll read through the article you referenced, and perhaps try using a direct connection to my Macbook (rather than using a splitter).

My computer has an Intel CPU.

[Marte Myrvold]

Hi,

ricanontherun said:

My computer has an Intel CPU.

Did you install the Intel variant of nrfjprog and J-Link?

Does your computer recognize the Thingy:91, either if you connect it directly with USB or using the nRF9160 DK as external debug probe? Or are you seeing the issue with both the nRF9160 DK and Thingy:91?

Best regardsm

Marte

[ricanontherun]

I'm seeing the issue with both the Thingy:91 and nRF9160 DK, neither of them are recognized by my macbook when I connect them. I'm going to try a new cable, USB -> type C

[ricanontherun]

Well, I tried another USB cable and it works. I can connect both the Thingy:91 and nRF9160DK to my macbook. I wish I understood why the previous cable I was trying did NOT work. Thanks for the help and suggestions!