[Bug]: Heltec v3 unstable node<>app connection and connection related restarts

[Zanop]

Category

WiFi, Other

Hardware

Heltec V3

Is this bug report about any UI component firmware like InkHUD or Meshtatic UI (MUI)?

• Meshtastic UI aka MUI colorTFT
• InkHUD ePaper
• OLED slide UI on any display

Firmware Version

2.6.11.60ec05e

Description

Hi,

I am relatively new to meshtastic, I have been playing with it for about a month and a half. My first deice was Heltec V3. At first I used my Heltec V3 with BT and I often had the issue where on first connect it will appear connected to the android app but won't load settings sections (the load popup stays at 0% until I cancel it) or will hang if I try to send messages. Disconnect/reconnect fixed that usually. But its annoying because seems to happen very often.
Then I had my heltec v3 configured to use wifi but since I had frequent hangs during connect where it won't finish connecting and will stay at "module config 8/13" for example, I decided to switch back to BT to see how is the behavior there.
Since I have done that I can not enter the 'Network' settings anymore. Every time I try to enter Settings->Network the node restarts showing the meshtastic logo on screen. I can sometimes open the Network section via serial but that also leads to restarts most of the time.
Simply trying to connect to the serial also leads to restarts unless I disconnect/connect the cable first.
When connecting with the android app, in all modes(BT/Wifi/Serial) the app often shows connected but the node is unresponsive until I disconnect/connect again.

I tried restarting, reflashing, factory reset, nodedb reset, reflashing with 'Full erase and install', still have the problem.

I have sensecap t1000e and I dont have any of these issues with it.

I realize this sounds like a few different issues but since they are all related to the app<>node connectivity I feel they might be connected.

King regards,
Vlado

Relevant log output

[witwilinski]

Had it on Heltec V4 as well. Happenes on 2.7.13 till now. I was even not able to switch to WiFi.
Used usb-serial with the mobile app to configure node to use WiFi.
On bluetooth, the board would reboot on any configuration change. Not related to power supply (battery + 3Amp power connected)

[Zanop]

Well at this point I almost use it as infra sittin by the window in the attic to extend the reach of my sensecap. I have noticed lately that I had missing messages that I had on the sensecap but not on the heltec v3 and since I get almost everything on the sensecap through the heltec they should have almost the same message log. I guess they get lost during those connectivity freezes when I have to cancel the connection because it's frozen in the middle.

[braxvang-tidewater]

In general, client connections to my Heltec V3 over wifi have been very unstable as well. Sometimes my client will hang when connecting, specifically the android app, when I first reconnect to my wifi when getting home. The dropped / missing messages issue you mentioned sounds like another that I am also running into, this issue is documented further in #8507 .

[witwilinski]

My experience with Heltec v4 and Heltec Wireless Paper (v1.2), both on alpha firmwares is they were pretty unstable and constantly dropping connection on bluetooh, but pretty solid performance on WiFi. The bt connection was so unstable on both boards, I had tu use usb serial connection to configure WiFi.
I have used alpha versions since 2.7.11 till now