this post was submitted on 27 Jan 2026
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Meshtastic

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I just got my Heltec V4 today, but after a few hours of trying I simply cannot flash meshtactic on it. I've only tried v2.7.x versions.

I consistently get "NetworkError: Failed to execute 'open' on 'SerialPort': Failed to open serial port"

I've tried all combinations mentioned in this thread but nothing seems to work.

I am on Linux mint, I've tried both chromium and chrome, I've tried different usb-cables (both A-C and C-C, all with verified data connections)

I can see the device with lsusb as "Espressif USB JTAG/serial debug unit"

Anyone know where I need to look for a solution? This has been a seriously shitty start to my meshtastic adventure.

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[–] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 3 points 1 day ago (2 children)

You might have to add your user account to the Dialout group. I won't swear to that, but it might be a thing.

[–] ExcessShiv@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

This was exactly it! Added my user to dialoit and it worked right away

[–] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I'm glad to hear it. The thing that made me think of it is that I tried to download the command line interface and it gave me an error connecting to it, telling me that I had to be in the dialogue group just recently.

[–] ExcessShiv@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Seems there are no nodes within reach of me though 🤥 at least not with a handheld device and the antenna it came with...

[–] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

Well, that's definitely no fun. Have you checked meshmap.net? It's a voluntary map where people can put themselves on it if they want to.

[–] ExcessShiv@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago) (1 children)

Hm, yeah closest one on meshmap is ~65km away. But there should be a rooftop node about 26km from me with a large-ish omni antenna according to the local meshtastic discord

[–] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

In that case, if you can get a node on your roof or something like that, you might have a chance of picking that one up.

[–] ExcessShiv@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

if you can get a node on your roof or something like that

Yeah the WAF of the aesthetics in that solution is probably not high enough for that to be an option

[–] shortwavesurfer@lemmy.zip 1 points 1 day ago

Well, even if you can get a node somewhat higher, you might still be isolated for a while, but as the mesh grows, somebody will come online between you and them and connect you. It may take some time or you could even try to find somebody that's between you and that node and get them into meshtastic by providing them a rooftop solar node for free or something that they can put up, which would then be your connection.

I gotta try this. I haven't been able to webflash any of my Heltec V3 boards on my raspberry pi 400 for some time now.

esptool was worked fine instead, so I haven't tried to troubleshoot it.