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October 18, 2025
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My STM32 Code only works under debug mode

  • October 18, 2025
  • 5 replies
  • 579 views
#include <stdint.h>
#include <stdio.h>
#include "stm32f4xx.h"

volatile uint8_t rxdata = 0;

int main(void) 
{
SystemInit();
SystemCoreClockUpdate();

// clock configutation
RCC_AHB1PeriphClockCmd(RCC_AHB1Periph_GPIOB, ENABLE); // TX: PB6 RX: PB7
RCC_AHB1PeriphClockCmd(RCC_AHB1Periph_GPIOD, ENABLE); // LED LED4: PD12 LED3: PD13
RCC_APB2PeriphClockCmd(RCC_APB2Periph_USART1, ENABLE);
RCC_APB2PeriphClockCmd(RCC_APB2Periph_SYSCFG, ENABLE);

NVIC_PriorityGroupConfig(NVIC_PriorityGroup_4);

// gpio initialization
GPIO_InitTypeDef GPIO_InitStruct;
GPIO_StructInit(&GPIO_InitStruct);
GPIO_InitStruct.GPIO_Mode = GPIO_Mode_AF;
GPIO_InitStruct.GPIO_OType = GPIO_OType_PP;
GPIO_InitStruct.GPIO_Pin = GPIO_Pin_6 | GPIO_Pin_7;
GPIO_InitStruct.GPIO_PuPd = GPIO_PuPd_UP;
GPIO_InitStruct.GPIO_Speed = GPIO_Speed_50MHz;
GPIO_Init(GPIOB, &GPIO_InitStruct);

GPIO_PinAFConfig(GPIOB, GPIO_PinSource6, GPIO_AF_USART1);
GPIO_PinAFConfig(GPIOB, GPIO_PinSource7, GPIO_AF_USART1);

// usart initialization
USART_InitTypeDef USART_InitStruct;
USART_StructInit(&USART_InitStruct);
USART_InitStruct.USART_BaudRate = 115200;
USART_InitStruct.USART_HardwareFlowControl = USART_HardwareFlowControl_None;
USART_InitStruct.USART_Mode = USART_Mode_Rx | USART_Mode_Tx;
USART_InitStruct.USART_Parity = USART_Parity_No;
USART_InitStruct.USART_StopBits = USART_StopBits_1;
USART_InitStruct.USART_WordLength = USART_WordLength_8b;
USART_Init(USART1, &USART_InitStruct);
USART_ITConfig(USART1, USART_IT_RXNE, ENABLE);
USART_Cmd(USART1, ENABLE); // enable usart1

NVIC_InitTypeDef NVIC_InitStruct;
NVIC_InitStruct.NVIC_IRQChannel = USART1_IRQn;
NVIC_InitStruct.NVIC_IRQChannelPreemptionPriority = 0;
NVIC_InitStruct.NVIC_IRQChannelSubPriority = 0;
NVIC_InitStruct.NVIC_IRQChannelCmd = ENABLE;
NVIC_Init(&NVIC_InitStruct);


char msg[64];
while(1){ 
USART_SendData(USART1, 'A');
if (rxdata!= 0) { 
int idx = 0; 
int len = snprintf(msg, sizeof(msg), "Recieved: %c", (char)rxdata); 
for (int idx = 0; idx < len; idx++) { 
while (USART_GetFlagStatus(USART1, USART_FLAG_TXE) == RESET); 
USART_SendData(USART1, (uint16_t)msg[idx]);
} 
rxdata = 0; 
} 
}
}

void USART1_IRQHandler(void) {
 if (USART_GetITStatus(USART1, USART_IT_RXNE) != RESET) {
 rxdata = (uint8_t)USART_ReceiveData(USART1); // echo
 USART_ClearITPendingBit(USART1, USART_IT_RXNE);
 }
}

Hardware Setup: STM32F407 Discovery Board connected with ttl. Developing in Keil. USART uses PB6 and PB7 as the default PA9 is used as  VBUS in USB and prints random characters.

The code is expected to keep printing 'A' until user inputs; but the serial monitor does not show anything until I turn on the debug mode.


Edited to apply source code formatting - please see How to insert source code for future reference.

Best answer by XY_it

Thank you all! Problem SOLVED. I need to reset the board after I flash the codes in.

5 replies

Andrew Neil
Super User
October 18, 2025

Welcome to the forum.

Please give more details of your setup - target hardware, host system, tools, etc - see How to write your question to maximize your chances to find a solution for best results.

In particular, what do you mean by, "only works under debug mode" - as opposed to what? 

 


@XY_it wrote:

 prints random characters. Does anyone know what's wrong?


Usually, random or "junk" characters indicate that the baud rate is wrong.

 

PS:

You haven't shown the code for your functions USART_SendData()USART_ReceiveData(), etc

A complex system that works is invariably found to have evolved from a simple system that worked.A complex system designed from scratch never works and cannot be patched up to make it work.
XY_itAuthor
Associate
October 18, 2025

Thank you for your help! I've read through the link and will do better next time!

To clarify "does not work" in my title, my code does not print anything on serial monitor instead of junk characters.

MM..1
Chief III
October 18, 2025

Some disrupted info Label F7 , but in code f4, and for newbie seems you is better use MXCube HAL generated code as your legacy st lib.

XY_itAuthor
Associate
October 18, 2025

Thank you for your reply! I am using standard library because the tutorial I am following does so. And I guess std library can be more related with the lower level of the board and gets me familiar with the concepts.

mƎALLEm
Technical Moderator
October 18, 2025

Hello @XY_it and welcome to the community,

I dind't undrestand the relation between the title and the content of your request!

Do you mean USART does print correctly the characters in debug and it doensn't in standalone?

"To give better visibility on the answered topics, please click on ""Accept as Solution"" on the reply which solved your issue or answered your question."
XY_itAuthor
Associate
October 18, 2025
Yes. Sorry for the confusion in my post. ##- Please type your reply above
this line -##
mƎALLEm
Technical Moderator
October 18, 2025

@XY_it wrote:

Thank you all! Problem SOLVED. I need to reset the board after I flash the codes in.


 


@XY_it 

I see you edited your original post to say you solved your issue.

In this community, you should not edit your orginal post to tell that you solved your issue but you need to add another post and accept it as solution.

Thank you for your understanding

"To give better visibility on the answered topics, please click on ""Accept as Solution"" on the reply which solved your issue or answered your question."
XY_itAuthor
Associate
October 18, 2025

Have done so!

XY_itAuthorBest answer
Associate
October 18, 2025

Thank you all! Problem SOLVED. I need to reset the board after I flash the codes in.