Skip to main content
Visitor II
July 3, 2025
Question

STLINK V3 USB issue

  • July 3, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 600 views

Hello all,

 

I've been using my STLINK V3 successfully for around half a year until it suddenly stopped working from one day to the next. When connecting it to the PC (no target) the green light is on and the red light if flashing forever. It does not turn orange like described in the manual, neither switch to constant red, as it was before. Windows it not recognizing it as an USB device at all (the first two times it showed something like unknown device, but never again since).

My setup works with another STLINK V3 so I would exclude cable, USB port issues or similar. 

 

Any idea, what the issue here is, or how to fix it?

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    5 replies

    Super User
    July 3, 2025

    If red light is flashing, it indicates the chip is trying to connect but enumeration is failing. Typically this is due to a bad cable, perhaps a power-only cable. It could also be that your PC doesn't like that device for some USB stack reason. Rebooting can sometimes fix this.

    Visitor II
    July 3, 2025

    I tried already several cables ans USB ports, even another PC, but the behavior is the same. As mentioned above on the same PC, same USB port, same cable my ST Links used to work and another ST link is still working perfectly. That's why I concluded, that something with the actual STLink HW must be wrong.

    Visitor II
    July 4, 2025

    I connected the STLink to a Linux PC and got the following log. I hope this helps to determine the issue.

     

    [ 99.227313] usb 1-2: new full-speed USB device number 5 using xhci_hcd
    [ 99.342252] usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
    [ 99.563204] usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
    [ 99.786283] usb 1-2: new full-speed USB device number 6 using xhci_hcd
    [ 99.901289] usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
    [ 100.123345] usb 1-2: device descriptor read/64, error -71
    [ 100.232439] usb usb1-port2: attempt power cycle
    [ 100.612313] usb 1-2: new full-speed USB device number 7 using xhci_hcd
    [ 100.612520] usb 1-2: Device not responding to setup address.
    [ 100.816448] usb 1-2: Device not responding to setup address.
    [ 101.024232] usb 1-2: device not accepting address 7, error -71
    [ 101.024327] usb 1-2: WARN: invalid context state for evaluate context command.
    [ 101.138232] usb 1-2: new full-speed USB device number 8 using xhci_hcd
    [ 101.138438] usb 1-2: Device not responding to setup address.
    [ 101.344489] usb 1-2: Device not responding to setup address.
    [ 101.552070] usb 1-2: device not accepting address 8, error -71
    [ 101.552168] usb 1-2: WARN: invalid context state for evaluate context command.
    [ 101.552279] usb usb1-port2: unable to enumerate USB device

    Super User
    July 4, 2025

    So you have a bad contact on one USB data line - or you killed this V3 (maybe static discharge, the "usual way").

    Technical Moderator
    July 21, 2025

    Hi @phil_spobu 

    Given the symptoms and error logs, the USB interface hardware in the STLINK V3 is probably faulty.

    1. Check the PCB around the USB connector for cracked solder joints or lifted pads. If possible, gently reflow the USB connector solder joints with a soldering iron to restore good contact.
    2. Upgrade or reflash the STLINK firmware using STM32CubeProgrammer, as firmware corruption can sometimes cause enumeration issues.
    3. If these steps do not resolve the issue, the most practical solution would be to replace the STLINK V3 device.
    Visitor II
    July 29, 2025

    @FBL wrote:

    2. Upgrade or reflash the STLINK firmware using STM32CubeProgrammer, as firmware corruption can sometimes cause enumeration issues.


    Is there any manual for that? Which interface shall be used, where do I get the firmware from?

    Super User
    July 29, 2025

    The only way to update firmware is using ST tools. If the programmer can't connect at all, no chance of that happening.

    TDK_0-1753795925540.png

     

    Visitor II
    July 29, 2025

    OK. I thought I would be able to flash with another ST Link directly over JTAG/ SWD interface. I was wondering, if this is available on one of the connectors. 

    As USB is not recognized at all I cannot use the standard way of flashing the firmware.