Sonoff Mini R4 with ESP32, flash tasmota32.bin OK, but Sonoff won't start

[brunosso]

Hi!
I try to flash Tastmota 13.3.0 on a Sonoff Mini R4 device.
I open it, solder the 4 pin (3V3, TX, RX and GND) and flash via Tasmota-Esp-Flasher 2.2.3.

The log is correct (i delete the same row with Writing bytes info for shortness)

Using 'COM5' as serial port.
Connecting...
Detecting chip type... ESP32
Connecting...

Chip Info:
 - Chip Family: ESP32
 - Chip Model: ESP32-D0WDQ5-V3 (revision v3.0)
 - Number of Cores: 2
 - Max CPU Frequency: 240MHz
 - Has Bluetooth: YES
 - Has Embedded Flash: NO
 - Has Factory-Calibrated ADC: YES
 - MAC Address: B0:A7:32:D8:5A:EC
Uploading stub...
Running stub...
Stub running...
Changing baud rate to 1500000
Changed.
 - Flash Size: 4MB
Creating esp32 image...
Successfully created esp32 image.
Erasing flash (this may take a while)...
Chip erase completed successfully in 1.9s
Flash will be erased from 0x00001000 to 0x00005fff...
Flash will be erased from 0x00008000 to 0x00008fff...
Flash will be erased from 0x0000e000 to 0x0000ffff...
Flash will be erased from 0x00010000 to 0x000d0fff...
Flash will be erased from 0x000e0000 to 0x002b8fff...
Compressed 17904 bytes to 12445...
Writing at 0x00001000... (100 %)
Wrote 17904 bytes (12445 compressed) at 0x00001000 in 0.2 seconds (effective 589.4 kbit/s)...
Hash of data verified.
Compressed 3072 bytes to 134...
Writing at 0x00008000... (100 %)
Wrote 3072 bytes (134 compressed) at 0x00008000 in 0.0 seconds (effective 1085.9 kbit/s)...
Hash of data verified.
Compressed 8192 bytes to 47...
Writing at 0x0000e000... (100 %)
Wrote 8192 bytes (47 compressed) at 0x0000e000 in 0.0 seconds (effective 1492.2 kbit/s)...
Hash of data verified.
Compressed 786656 bytes to 560740...
Writing at 0x00010000... (2 %)
Writing at 0x00016930... (5 %)
Writing at 0x0001f2a4... (8 %)
...
Writing at 0x000c8db3... (97 %)
Writing at 0x000ceac6... (100 %)
Wrote 786656 bytes (560740 compressed) at 0x00010000 in 7.7 seconds (effective 820.1 kbit/s)...
Hash of data verified.
Compressed 1933584 bytes to 1214978...
Writing at 0x000e0000... (1 %)
Writing at 0x000e7af0... (2 %)
Writing at 0x000f00bf... (4 %)
...
Writing at 0x002ac084... (97 %)
Writing at 0x002b139c... (98 %)
Writing at 0x002b7222... (100 %)
Wrote 1933584 bytes (1214978 compressed) at 0x000e0000 in 17.4 seconds (effective 888.5 kbit/s)...
Hash of data verified.

Leaving...
Hard Resetting...
Hard resetting via RTS pin...
Done! Flashing is complete!

Showing logs:
Serial port closed!

bu now when i desolder the 4 flashing pin, and connect 230V to Lin and N the led onboard won't turn ON.
Even the relays override with the button don't work.

I think the firmware is correct, because the chip onboard is a ESP32, i can't use the tasmota.bin.

The PCB says it's the MINIR4 V1.0 with data code 2022.10.10

Someone can help me?

[GijsTimmers]

I have the same device, I got it working using the Tasmota Web Installer. IIRC I just used Tasmota (English) and it figured out how to flash it. I am running Tasmota 13.3.0(tasmota32) on it.

[Noschvie]

For initial serial flashing you have to use tasmota32.factory.bin

[brunosso]

I find the problem!

3,3V line from the flasher is poor of current.
After the flash with the same 3v3 from the flasher i restart the device with an external 3v3 source from a AMS1117-3.3...

Now i can find the AP...

Thanks everyone!

[DayBit]

I have the same problem, but I don't understand why doing that solved the problem. Isn't it equivalent to just turning MINIR4 off and on (reconnecting the usb) without pressing the button? Removing the pins and connecting 230V keeps the MINIR4 in programming mode?

[sfromis]

Many USB/serial adapters are not able to deliver enough current for booting ESP32 to Wifi, and then it can help connecting a better 3.3V power source, or indeed disconnect the wires from flashing before powering via mains. It is not about keeping the device in programming mode, which is not a goal.

You may instead have an unsuitable USB/serial adapter not even able to supply the current for flashing (that's not rare, and the reason why we recommend certain ones). In this case it can help connecting a better 3.3V power source on the side, or get a better adapter.

[llopez]

I am having the same issue. Just bought a brand new sonoff mini r4 extreme from aliexpress.

I am using esptool.py for flashing

it detects ESP32-D0WD-V3

the flashing process completes successfully but when I connect the device to 220 line it does not start. No tasmota network appear

[llopez]

I did it. It worked with the tasmota installer web and also suppliying 3.3 v with a better power supply.

I could find the Ap and configured the wifi network.

now, I need to realize how to map the template

[llopez]

I also did it :)

I used this template -> https://templates.blakadder.com/sonoff_MINIR4.html

everything works as expected..

thanks for the help

[DayBit]

Hi,

What was wrong with your commands using esptool.py? wrong firmware? bad 3.3V? The tasmota installer web does something different?

Thanks in advance

[sfromis]

As already explained previously in this thread, using tasmota32.bin is the wrong file. You can find the files "for initial flashing using esptool" on https://ota.tasmota.com/tasmota32/release/

Or just use the Tasmota Web Installer to do it right.

[DayBit]

I have tried almost all (including the Tasmota Web Installer) and no AP when powered on mains. Two options: bad 3.3v or my device is broken.

[llopez]

Clarification on Post-Flashing Behavior (Sonoff Mini R4)

After flashing the firmware, it may not be immediately apparent that the device is operational. This can lead to confusion, especially during initial setup and testing.

Key considerations:

Power requirements: The device must be supplied with a stable 3.3V source capable of delivering sufficient current. If power is inadequate, the Access Point (AP) will not initialize, making the device appear unresponsive.

Lack of visual feedback: By default, the onboard LED remains off because GPIOs are not pre-configured. Until a valid template is assigned via the Tasmota web UI, the LED and other peripherals will remain inactive.

Recommendation:

Use the Tasmota Web Installer with the Tasmota (English) firmware build.

Ensure the power supply delivers consistent 3.3V with adequate current (≥500mA recommended).

Once the AP is visible, connect and assign the appropriate template for the Sonoff Mini R4:
👉 Blakadder Template

This will correctly map the GPIOs and enable LED status indication, confirming proper operation.

[sfromis]

After flashing firmware, it is the "safer strategy" to disconnect the wiring used for flashing, and instead power via the intended power source, like mains.

[DayBit]

I have the same problem, flash is OK but no visible AP (on 220v). I don't understand. If the firmware was flashed correctly (I read it after writing and the checksum is the same), doesn't that mean the 3.3V power supply is enough? I have a lab power supply I could use to supply the 3.3V but... is it safe to use it at the same time than the PC's USB connection?

[sfromis]

Matching checksum does not mean that the flashing was as it should, as you might be flashing the wrong binary, or not having correct parameters. Much depends on details of how you attempted to flash.