Bootloop problem with TFT_eSPI and Waveshare ESP32-S3 Zero in Platformio solved (in my case with ili9488 SPI)

[chard62]

I was searching for days to find out why I couldn't get my TFT to work using TFT_eSPI in Platformio. II could compile the code but the ESP32-S3 would always go into a bootloop. The simple fix was the one line in platformio.ini that looks like this: platform = espressif32@6.5.0
I am not sure why this works, but I'm sure you people who have much more experience than me may be able to explain it. The whole platformio.ini file that works for me follows. Sorry if this post is not in the correct format, I tried my best and hope it helps someone. BTW: I tried to post this in Discussion, but it looks like it went into Issues :-(

; PlatformIO Project Configuration File
;
;   Build options: build flags, source filter
;   Upload options: custom upload port, speed and extra flags
;   Library options: dependencies, extra library storages
;   Advanced options: extra scripting
;
; Please visit documentation for the other options and examples
; https://docs.platformio.org/page/projectconf.html

[env:waveshare_esp32_s3_zero]
platform = espressif32@6.5.0
board = waveshare_esp32_s3_zero
framework = arduino
monitor_speed = 115200

build_flags = 
    -D ARDUINO_USB_CDC_ON_BOOT=1
    -D USER_SETUP_LOADED=1
    -D ILI9488_DRIVER=1
    ; --- Display Pins ---
    -D TFT_MOSI=9
    -D TFT_SCLK=8
    -D TFT_CS=12
    -D TFT_DC=10
    -D TFT_RST=11
    -D TFT_MISO=7            ; T_DO (MISO)
    ; --- Touch Pin ---
    -D TOUCH_CS=13           ; CORRECTED TO 13
    ; --- Settings ---
    -D SPI_FREQUENCY=27000000
    -D SPI_TOUCH_FREQUENCY=2500000
    -D LOAD_GLCD=1
    -D LOAD_FONT2=1
    -D LOAD_FONT4=1
    -D LOAD_FONT6=1
    -D LOAD_FONT7=1
    -D LOAD_FONT8=1
    -D LOAD_GFXFF=1

lib_deps =
    bodmer/TFT_eSPI @ ^2.5.43
    adafruit/Adafruit NeoPixel @ ^1.12.0

[Bodmer]

There are quite a few S3 variants and even chip revisions that are only supported by later ESP-IDF versions. In general the latest IDF version is the one to go for but sometimes they break compatibility with TFT_eSPI. Yep, it is a nightmare handling all the variants these days!

Thanks for posting. No idea why it bounced into issues but I will leave it here for now as most folk look here when things are not working.