Version 1.4 with CH9102F doesn't work with Mac OS X

[u-l-m-i]

Orderderd a replacement for my SIM800 1.4 with CP2104 and got a new one with CH9102F which fails to upload with the following error Message in PlatformIO on macOS 11.3.1 (OSX)

Serial port /dev/cu.usbmodem52780006671
Connecting....
Chip is ESP32-D0WD (revision 1)
Features: WiFi, BT, Dual Core, 240MHz, VRef calibration in efuse, Coding Scheme None
Crystal is 40MHz
MAC: 3c:71:bf:xx:xx:xx
Uploading stub...

A fatal error occurred: Failed to write to target RAM (result was 01070000)
*** [upload] Error 2_

The only difference I could spot between my old and the two new boards is the CH9102F Chip.

Any ideas, how to solve this issue?

[azrin1972]

Hi, I'm having the same issue here

I've connected IO0 to GND and press the reset button. I receive the waiting for download but when it write it give me the same error

[matymad]

Same issue here. With a 2015 iMac and 2017 Macbook Pro Touchbar both with MacOS Big Sur.

[arjenhiemstra]

+1 for this issue, works with Windows without an issue. Same board is not working on MacOS (both Catalina and BigSur)

[rynskyi]

+1 the same issue v1.4 with MacOS

[SrRockabilly]

I got the same problem. While the new one with the cp120 is arriving I came to some questions. The device with the ch9102f came with a built in program that connected with the GPRS despite the fact that the program had not the apn. Im trying to connect with a sim800l modem and I cannot connect. I just could with my mobile phone and the ch9102f lily go. Weird isnt?
The prompt gave something like:
Found 37 networks
Begin SIM800 PASS
SIM800 Begin PASS
Test motor ...
Init success
AT+CHFA=1
AT+CRSL=100
AT+CLVL=100
AT+CLIP=1
etc

[matymad]

I had to install Ubuntu Linux 20.04 with VirtualBox on my iMac. The Ubuntu system has a little problem with the esptool.py v3.0-dev which is solved in this issue on github: espressif/esptool#528

I exposed the Esp32 board to the virtual machine on the Devices -> USB menu and selected the device with name QuinHeng Electronics USB Single Serial. I ran Arduino IDE with sudo (in order to receive the serial monitor messages), tested with a basic scketch and works fantastic.

There's images of the Arduino Terminal when compiling:

The board works fine WITHOUT the need of having to jump the GPIO 0 and GND pins.

NOTE: Works either with USB 2.0 or 3.0 controllers.

I think the problem on Mac lies in the esptool.py script. Hope the chinesse fix the problem soon!!

Hope it helps

[matymad]

The driver for the CH9102F chip on MacOS is still under development, chinesse says:
http://www.wch.cn/bbs/thread-72035-1.html

[genotix]

I just received this MacOS Big Sur driver for the CH9102F chipset on the TTGO T-Call 1.4 from it's vendor.

I can hereby confirm this driver to be working! (Big Sur 11.5.2)

Note 1: You need to click through some Chinese screens
Note 2: You need to select to correct device
You will see:

1. /dev/cu.usbmodemXXXXXXXX
2. /dev/cu.wchusbserialXXXXXXXX

Make sure to choose the second option!

CH9102_Mac_Driver.zip

[mtgred]

@genotix The zip file contains CH34xVCPDriver_signed.pkg which seems to be the wrong driver (ie. CH34x instead of CH9102)

[genotix]

@genotix The zip file contains CH34xVCPDriver_signed.pkg which seems to be the wrong driver (ie. CH34x instead of CH9102)

Yes, I know; it is not though. The CH34x driver and CH9xxx drivers have been sharing the same package for some time now.

The thing I find disturbing though is that WCH as official chip vendor doesn’t provide this driver for download (For MacOs).

Browse around on their website, you’ll eventually find the CH9xxx series are pointing to the CH34x driver files.
(If it’s the same file; why use the name of just one of the two instead of a generic VCP package name or so)

http://www.wch-ic.com/downloads/CH341SER_MAC_ZIP.html

[mtgred]

It works on my Macbook Pro running on Big Sur 11.1

I initially tried on my iMac on Mojave 10.14.2 and that didn't work. It looks the drivers requires Big Sur.

Thanks a lot for the file @genotix !

[marcelstoer]

Maybe the reason for a specific driver for CH9102 to be missing is here: http://www.wch-ic.com/downloads/CH9102DS1_PDF.html (focus is mine)

CH9102 supports built-in CDC driver in operating system or multi-functional high-speed VCP manufacture driver

=> they don't "expect" a specific driver to be required and, hence, they don't provide one

For Linux they keep the driver here https://github.com/WCHSoftGroup/ch343ser_linux and state

...ch344/ch9101/ch9102/ch9103 are fully compliant...

@WCHSoftGroup can you maybe help here?

[jpduhen]

@genotix Suggested driver does not work on my MacBook Pro (early 2015) - Big Sur 11.4.
Any help appreciated...

[cgreening]

Doesn't work on Catalina either :(

[genotix]

The only thing I can do is point you guys towards LilyGo shop on AliExpress.
It is where I bought mine and it seems to be the official LilyGo team behind it.

lilygo Official Store
https://a.aliexpress.com/_vCIogm

Do everyone a favour and should you receive any drivers from them, make them available to others.

[marcelstoer]

Suggested driver...

Which one do you refer to? The driver attached to #139 (comment) does work for me. However, the driver linked to in the later comment (the one from the vendor website) doesn't work for me either even though this one looks more official without the Chinese dialogs.

[cgreening]

I seem to have got slightly further - now it's failing on

A fatal error occurred: Timed out waiting for packet header

[marcelstoer]

The usual remedy for any sort of timing issue is reducing the upload speed. My driver/OS/device combination only supports max. 456300.

[jasondyoung]

I just received this MacOS Big Sur driver for the CH9102F chipset on the TTGO T-Call 1.4 from it's vendor.

I can hereby confirm this driver to be working! (Big Sur 11.5.2)

Note 1: You need to click through some Chinese screens
Note 2: You need to select to correct device
You will see:

1. /dev/cu.usbmodemXXXXXXXX
2. /dev/cu.wchusbserialXXXXXXXX

Make sure to choose the second option!

CH9102_Mac_Driver.zip

This worked for me! Big Sur 11.6 flashing TTGO LORA32 915MHz SX1276 OLED development boards! I spent hours trying so many solutions!! This is the only thing that worked!!!! I am so grateful I found this answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[krazyeom]

I just received this MacOS Big Sur driver for the CH9102F chipset on the TTGO T-Call 1.4 from it's vendor.

I can hereby confirm this driver to be working! (Big Sur 11.5.2)

Note 1: You need to click through some Chinese screens
Note 2: You need to select to correct device
You will see:

1. /dev/cu.usbmodemXXXXXXXX
2. /dev/cu.wchusbserialXXXXXXXX

Make sure to choose the second option!

CH9102_Mac_Driver.zip

This worked for me on Big Sur 11.6, too. thank you so much.

[Sladerix]

I just received this MacOS Big Sur driver for the CH9102F chipset on the TTGO T-Call 1.4 from it's vendor.

I can hereby confirm this driver to be working! (Big Sur 11.5.2)

Note 1: You need to click through some Chinese screens Note 2: You need to select to correct device You will see:

1. /dev/cu.usbmodemXXXXXXXX

2. /dev/cu.wchusbserialXXXXXXXX

Make sure to choose the second option!

CH9102_Mac_Driver.zip

Thanks! it solved the problem for LilyGo T-Call SIM800L AXP192 on Big Sur 11.6

[JayPalm]

This is what the chinese pop up says. Anyone have any thoughts about the safety of this, or how to find what was installed?

Window
Launch the application and click Install driver, please complete the system driver authorization. To uninstall the driver, just transfer
Just move the application into the waste paper label. I feel that you are paying attention to Qinheng!
Install the driver

[marcelstoer]

@JayPalm did you try whether the 1.5 version of their driver that has since been officially released at http://www.wch-ic.com/downloads/CH341SER_MAC_ZIP.html wouldn't solve the problem? I'd feel a little safer than installing some arbitrary file someone posted on GitHub.

They since released 1.6 at http://www.wch.cn/downloads/CH34XSER_MAC_ZIP.html

[cirobruno]

I've got the same problem.

Yesterday I've received a LilyGo TTGO T3_V1.6.1, that embeds this CH9102F.

Initially it used to show up as /dev/cu.usbmodemFA1341. It was able to output the demo code messages to the serial monitor. Nevertheless, unable to upload new code toward the microcontroller's flash memory. It used to report like this:

Serial port /dev/cu.usbmodemFA1341
Connecting....
Chip is ESP32-PICO-D4 (revision 1)
Features: WiFi, BT, Dual Core, 240MHz, Embedded Flash, VRef calibration in efuse, Coding Scheme None
Crystal is 40MHz
MAC: xx:xx:xx:xx:xx:xx
Uploading stub...

A fatal error occurred: Failed to write to target RAM (result was 01070000)
*** [upload] Error 2

Then I’ve installed the driver found in https://github.com/WCHSoftGroup/ch34xser_macos It didn’t work out. Moreover, after installing it, the serial interface became invisible to VSCode’s serial monitor as well as for other serial monitors.

Then, I’ve tried to download https://github.com/Xinyuan-LilyGO/LilyGo-T-Call-SIM800/files/7037260/CH9102_Mac_Driver.zip but the provided file is called CH34xVCPDriver_signed.pkg, that doesn’t change anything!

I'm using Mac OS X 10.13.6 High Sierra.
Is there something else I should try?

Thank you.
Regards, Ciro

[cirobruno]

Hello @Sladerix

It looks like this link doesn't offer the same installer anymore.

I just received this MacOS Big Sur driver for the CH9102F chipset on the TTGO T-Call 1.4 from it's vendor.
I can hereby confirm this driver to be working! (Big Sur 11.5.2)
Note 1: You need to click through some Chinese screens Note 2: You need to select to correct device You will see:

1. /dev/cu.usbmodemXXXXXXXX

2. /dev/cu.wchusbserialXXXXXXXX

Make sure to choose the second option!
CH9102_Mac_Driver.zip

Thanks! it solved the problem for LilyGo T-Call SIM800L AXP192 on Big Sur 11.6

I've just tried it and what I've got has been a file called CH34xVCPDriver_signed.pkg

[Sladerix]

Hello @Sladerix

It looks like this link doesn't offer the same installer anymore.

I just received this MacOS Big Sur driver for the CH9102F chipset on the TTGO T-Call 1.4 from it's vendor.
I can hereby confirm this driver to be working! (Big Sur 11.5.2)
Note 1: You need to click through some Chinese screens Note 2: You need to select to correct device You will see:

1. /dev/cu.usbmodemXXXXXXXX

2. /dev/cu.wchusbserialXXXXXXXX

Make sure to choose the second option!
CH9102_Mac_Driver.zip

Thanks! it solved the problem for LilyGo T-Call SIM800L AXP192 on Big Sur 11.6

I've just tried it and what I've got has been a file called CH34xVCPDriver_signed.pkg

Hi @cirobruno actually i checked in my downloads and i found what i downloaded that day:
CH9102_Mac_Driver.zip

But if you unzip it you will find the same file you mentioned..

[philwinder]

For the benefit of future googlers, below is a link to download the correct driver for the CH9102F chip for OSX direct from the manufacturer:

http://www.wch.cn/downloads/CH34XSER_MAC_ZIP.html

Once installed, the device will be listed under tty.wchusb... or cu.wchusb...

Please note that the link posted in #139 (comment) is incorrect. This driver is for the older CH341 chip, not the CH9102F.

Other platforms are available from here: http://www.wch.cn/search?q=CH9102&t=downloads

Thanks, Phil

[dennisdebel]

Dear Phil,
Thank you for the correct link, I am on Catalina and the driver you posted seemed to work for CH9102X. However...only one time, after flashing firmware to the board, the port disappears. No clue how to get it back besides uninstalling, reinstalling and rebooting.

[oojBuffalo]

The latest driver (updated 2021-11-11) from the official website works with macOS 12.1 Monterey as well.

[flidsky]

Guys I solved the problem on Monterey this way:

1. Install ch34x driver
2. Press mysterious chinese button
3. GO TO Security on Settings and allow chinese stuff to open
   usbmodem changes to wchusbmodem

[SchneHa]

I found a solution for my Catalina based Mac. It's now working with CH9102 devices and V1.7 of WCH driver. I did the following steps (look here).

[zeropool]

I just received this MacOS Big Sur driver for the CH9102F chipset on the TTGO T-Call 1.4 from it's vendor.
I can hereby confirm this driver to be working! (Big Sur 11.5.2)
Note 1: You need to click through some Chinese screens
Note 2: You need to select to correct device
You will see:

1. /dev/cu.usbmodemXXXXXXXX
2. /dev/cu.wchusbserialXXXXXXXX

Make sure to choose the second option!
CH9102_Mac_Driver.zip

This worked for me! Big Sur 11.6 flashing TTGO LORA32 915MHz SX1276 OLED development boards! I spent hours trying so many solutions!! This is the only thing that worked!!!! I am so grateful I found this answer!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[pepotx]

For the benefit of future googlers, below is a link to download the correct driver for the CH9102F chip for OSX direct from the manufacturer:

http://www.wch.cn/downloads/CH34XSER_MAC_ZIP.html

Once installed, the device will be listed under tty.wchusb... or cu.wchusb...

Please note that the link posted in #139 (comment) is incorrect. This driver is for the older CH341 chip, not the CH9102F.

Other platforms are available from here: http://www.wch.cn/search?q=CH9102&t=downloads

Thanks, Phil

Worked for me in Yosemite.
Thank you very much!

[shihchuansun]

I tried all the recommendations, but I can't seem to make it work on Monterey 12.1 on M1 Pro

[cgreening]

I found that I had some old silicon lab drivers that were interfering. Unfortunately I can't remember the exact steps I used to clean it all up as I did so much messing around.

[KenjutsuGH]

Anyone had any success with a driver that works under Big Sur on M1 Mac Air? I installed the following driver:

Welcome to CH34x VCP device driver installation program. When installing, you can refer to the document  “CH34X USB-to-SERIAL DRIVER INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS”.

     This driver supports:
     CH340/CH341/CH343/CH9101/CH9102/CH9143
     CH342/CH344/CH347/CH9103

     Driver Version: V1.7
     Technical Support: [email protected]

And the installer log shows:

Jun  9 09:39:48 -MacBook-Air Installer[97481]: Package Authoring Error: <background_scaling> has an unsupported MIME type: X-NSObject/NSNumber
Jun  9 09:39:48 -MacBook-Air Installer[97481]: Package Authoring Error: <background_alignment> has an unsupported MIME type: X-NSObject/NSNumber
Jun  9 09:39:48 -MacBook-Air Installer[97481]: Package Authoring Error: <layout-direction> has an unsupported MIME type: X-NSObject/NSNumber
Jun  9 09:39:48 -MacBook-Air Installer[97481]: Failed to load specified background image
Jun  9 09:39:48 -MacBook-Air Installer[97481]: Could not load resource readme: (null)
Jun  9 09:39:48 -MacBook-Air Installer[97481]: Could not load resource license: (null)
Jun  9 09:40:35 -MacBook-Air installd[97494]: PackageKit: ----- Begin install -----
Jun  9 09:40:38 -MacBook-Air installd[97494]: Could not open /Library/Extensions/CH34xVCPDriver.kext/Contents/MacOS/CH34xVCPDriver for AOT translation
Jun  9 09:40:39 -MacBook-Air installd[97494]: PackageKit: ----- End install -----

[RafBois]

I tried to contact [email protected] them but the email gave me an error in return.

The ARM technologies is the future is a lack of knowledge or a simple problem of profitability or the 2 maybe?

[KenjutsuGH]

I have been successful in using the TTGO T5 e-Paper modules (with CH9102F) by connecting them to a USB 2.0 hub and then to the USB 3 hub to the M1 Air. I do not have a USB 2.0 hub with a USB C cable to directly connect to the M1. So far I have had a 100% success rate in connecting the T5 displays via a USB 2 hub

[SebastianKumor]

For the benefit of future googlers, below is a link to download the correct driver for the CH9102F chip for OSX direct from the manufacturer:

http://www.wch.cn/downloads/CH34XSER_MAC_ZIP.html

Once installed, the device will be listed under tty.wchusb... or cu.wchusb...

Please note that the link posted in #139 (comment) is incorrect. This driver is for the older CH341 chip, not the CH9102F.

Other platforms are available from here: http://www.wch.cn/search?q=CH9102&t=downloads

Thanks, Phil

This worked for me also on monterey 12.5

[ErickGiffoni]

Hi,

I am having a similar problem here with macOS Big Sur 11.5.2

It's similar because I'm not using a CH9102F, but a CH9102X.

I'm using the PlatformIO vsCode extension to upload code to my ESP32, so I get the error:

Auto-detected: /dev/cu.usbmodem539E0028411
Uploading .pio/build/esp32doit-devkit-v1/firmware.bin
esptool.py v3.3
Serial port /dev/cu.usbmodem539E0028411
Connecting....
Chip is ESP32-D0WD (revision 1)
Features: WiFi, BT, Dual Core, 240MHz, VRef calibration in efuse, Coding Scheme None
Crystal is 40MHz
MAC: 0c:dc:7e:62:df:d4
Uploading stub...

A fatal error occurred: Failed to write to target RAM (result was 01070000: Operation timed out)
*** [upload] Error 2

Any clues ?
Tks

[moyun-yinyun]

Hi,

I am having a similar problem here with macOS Big Sur 11.5.2

It's similar because I'm not using a CH9102F, but a CH9102X.

I'm using the PlatformIO vsCode extension to upload code to my ESP32, so I get the error:

Auto-detected: /dev/cu.usbmodem539E0028411
Uploading .pio/build/esp32doit-devkit-v1/firmware.bin
esptool.py v3.3
Serial port /dev/cu.usbmodem539E0028411
Connecting....
Chip is ESP32-D0WD (revision 1)
Features: WiFi, BT, Dual Core, 240MHz, VRef calibration in efuse, Coding Scheme None
Crystal is 40MHz
MAC: 0c:dc:7e:62:df:d4
Uploading stub...

A fatal error occurred: Failed to write to target RAM (result was 01070000: Operation timed out)
*** [upload] Error 2

Any clues ? Tks

1. If you are currently using the kext driver, please delete the driver and reinstall the new driver.
   cd /Library/Extensions
   sudo rm -rf CH34xVCPDriver.kext
   sudo rm -rf CH34xVCPControlDriver.kext

2. The CDC driver that comes with macOS is prone to errors during data communication due to the incomplete protocol. It is not recommended to use the macOS CDC driver.

3. For macOS 11.0, the VCP driver of WCH needs to be installed to make the device work. Please refer to the download link for installation.

https://www.wch.cn/downloads/CH34XSER_MAC_ZIP.html

Best regards

[maxakash]

I just received this MacOS Big Sur driver for the CH9102F chipset on the TTGO T-Call 1.4 from it's vendor.

I can hereby confirm this driver to be working! (Big Sur 11.5.2)

Note 1: You need to click through some Chinese screens Note 2: You need to select to correct device You will see:

1. /dev/cu.usbmodemXXXXXXXX
2. /dev/cu.wchusbserialXXXXXXXX

Make sure to choose the second option!

CH9102_Mac_Driver.zip

Worked for me on M1 Max MacOs Monterey. Thanks

[ErickGiffoni]

For the benefit of future googlers, below is a link to download the correct driver for the CH9102F chip for OSX direct from the manufacturer:

http://www.wch.cn/downloads/CH34XSER_MAC_ZIP.html

Once installed, the device will be listed under tty.wchusb... or cu.wchusb...

Please note that the link posted in #139 (comment) is incorrect. This driver is for the older CH341 chip, not the CH9102F.

Other platforms are available from here: http://www.wch.cn/search?q=CH9102&t=downloads

Thanks, Phil

Hi,
I am having a similar problem here with macOS Big Sur 11.5.2
It's similar because I'm not using a CH9102F, but a CH9102X.
I'm using the PlatformIO vsCode extension to upload code to my ESP32, so I get the error:

Auto-detected: /dev/cu.usbmodem539E0028411
Uploading .pio/build/esp32doit-devkit-v1/firmware.bin
esptool.py v3.3
Serial port /dev/cu.usbmodem539E0028411
Connecting....
Chip is ESP32-D0WD (revision 1)
Features: WiFi, BT, Dual Core, 240MHz, VRef calibration in efuse, Coding Scheme None
Crystal is 40MHz
MAC: 0c:dc:7e:62:df:d4
Uploading stub...

A fatal error occurred: Failed to write to target RAM (result was 01070000: Operation timed out)
*** [upload] Error 2

Any clues ? Tks

1. If you are currently using the kext driver, please delete the driver and reinstall the new driver.
   cd /Library/Extensions
   sudo rm -rf CH34xVCPDriver.kext
   sudo rm -rf CH34xVCPControlDriver.kext
2. The CDC driver that comes with macOS is prone to errors during data communication due to the incomplete protocol. It is not recommended to use the macOS CDC driver.
3. For macOS 11.0, the VCP driver of WCH needs to be installed to make the device work. Please refer to the download link for installation.

https://www.wch.cn/downloads/CH34XSER_MAC_ZIP.html

Best regards

Thanks @philwinder, it worked !
Thanks @moyun-yinyun also !
Note: it wasn't necessary for me to follow steps 1 and 2. Step 3 worked fine.

[icenpotatos]

I just received this MacOS Big Sur driver for the CH9102F chipset on the TTGO T-Call 1.4 from it's vendor.

I can hereby confirm this driver to be working! (Big Sur 11.5.2)

Note 1: You need to click through some Chinese screens Note 2: You need to select to correct device You will see:

1. /dev/cu.usbmodemXXXXXXXX
2. /dev/cu.wchusbserialXXXXXXXX

Make sure to choose the second option!

CH9102_Mac_Driver.zip

Might've been an issue on my side, but this didn't work for me on M2 Pro Ventura 13.6.3. According to the popup, the driver needs to be updated.

Instead I found one that did work for me:
https://www.wch-ic.com/downloads/CH34XSER_MAC_ZIP.html

and I followed the tutorial on this page (the zip file in this website did not work for me, but the WHC link did):
https://learn.adafruit.com/how-to-install-drivers-for-wch-usb-to-serial-chips-ch9102f-ch9102/mac-driver-installation

[rogeriocassares]

THAAAAAAAANKS! ONE DAY ISSUE

[tb205gti]

Hi,
I am having a similar problem here with macOS Big Sur 11.5.2
It's similar because I'm not using a CH9102F, but a CH9102X.
I'm using the PlatformIO vsCode extension to upload code to my ESP32, so I get the error:

Auto-detected: /dev/cu.usbmodem539E0028411
Uploading .pio/build/esp32doit-devkit-v1/firmware.bin
esptool.py v3.3
Serial port /dev/cu.usbmodem539E0028411
Connecting....
Chip is ESP32-D0WD (revision 1)
Features: WiFi, BT, Dual Core, 240MHz, VRef calibration in efuse, Coding Scheme None
Crystal is 40MHz
MAC: 0c:dc:7e:62:df:d4
Uploading stub...

A fatal error occurred: Failed to write to target RAM (result was 01070000: Operation timed out)
*** [upload] Error 2

Any clues ? Tks

1. If you are currently using the kext driver, please delete the driver and reinstall the new driver.
   cd /Library/Extensions
   sudo rm -rf CH34xVCPDriver.kext
   sudo rm -rf CH34xVCPControlDriver.kext
2. The CDC driver that comes with macOS is prone to errors during data communication due to the incomplete protocol. It is not recommended to use the macOS CDC driver.
3. For macOS 11.0, the VCP driver of WCH needs to be installed to make the device work. Please refer to the download link for installation.

https://www.wch.cn/downloads/CH34XSER_MAC_ZIP.html

Best regards

THIS worked!

Thank you.