Cannot connect Bit to the Chrome environment

đź“‹ Support
#1

Dear, I would like to try the tutorial games to teach my son how to start programming the Bit circuit board.

I am working with Chrome on Windows 11. When I try to connect the board, the connecting dialog shows no compatible devices to select. I have granted this permissions for the site:

  • HID Devices (Ask, by default)
  • Serial ports (Ask, by default)
  • Use your device (Allowed)
  • Windows management (Allowed)

And I still see any device on the list. I haven’t checked any request for those permissions while connecting the board.

Can you please help?

#2

Hello Alex.

Welcome to Circuitmess Community!
I recommend you following my instructions and trying these.

  1. Check the USB-C cable! If you hear a connect sound when plugged in then try this:

  2. Make sure its not connected to a hub. Try connecting it directly to the computer. No hubs or anything.

  3. Try a diffrent cable or USB.

If this helps, add a heart so i know it helped!

Have a nice day/night!

  • Petar
#3

Hi Petar, thanks for your help.

We’re connecting the usb-c directly to the computer. We have tried 3 cables, 2 usb-c to usb-c and 1 usb-c to usb-A.

We didn’t hear any sound while connecting the BIT board.

Any help will be welcome!

Thank you from Barcelona, Spain.

#4

Hi @Alex_Ballarin,

Thanks for getting back to us.

Could you please open Device Manager (see image 1) and check if there’s any available COM port (see image 2)? The COM port for the Bit won’t appear if the device is in sleep mode (auto-shutdown).

Could you try disabling auto-shutdown so the device stays always on while you’re trying to program it? To disable it, go to Settings (Menu button) where you’ll find the option.

Also, do you have access to another computer where you could check if a COM port is available?

Thanks in advance.

Kind regards,

picture 1
picture 1394Ă—681 154 KB

picture 2
picture 21162Ă—846 124 KB

#5

Hi Filip,

thanks for your help. I have checked the device manager and I cannot locate any USB Serial Device. Is that normal? Can I add one?

I will try with other computer if this setup is unable to support the BIT device.

device_manager
device_manager1491Ă—1295 265 KB

#6

Check out also the USB serial controllers. (I cannot add two screenshots on a single reply)

USB_serial-controlers
USB_serial-controlers949Ă—463 91.2 KB

#7

Hi @Alex_Ballarin ,

Thanks for the pictures.

Could you please tell us does the device work properly aside from the connectivity issues (games, Wacky Robots, battery life)?
Do you see any damage around the USB port? If possible, could you send us a picture so we can take a look as well?

Kind regards,
Filip

#8

I have the same issue, however on MacOS.

I’m unable to connect it via USB to restore firmware.

The original firmware was replaced by an app from your code web app. All was fine, but Bit was left standing for quite some time. Now I just get a flicker for a few miliseconds on the screen whenever I press the reset button, other than that, the device shows no signs of life and screen is black.

I tried 2 new packs of batteries and four different usb cables. On device manager, it does not show up as if something would be connected. I checked the device itself for damage on bad soldering contacts, but all seems fine.

Is there anything else I can do to get it back up running or does it sound like the microprocessor died?

Kind regards,
Matej

#9

Hi @Matej_Svajger,

Thank you for reaching out and for providing all the details about the issue.

We’ll check this out with our tech team and get back to you as soon as we have more information.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Best regards,
Filip

1 Like
#10

Hi @Matej_Svajger,

Thank you for your patience.

After uploading MicroPython on the device and then power cycling (or resetting), the device will appear “dead,” since it’s not running any code.
MicroPython code isn’t stored on the device between resets and needs to be transferred through CircuitBlocks again.

Were you able to successfully upload MicroPython and run some example code the last time you used the Bit?

Also, could you please send us a clear photo of your device so we can confirm which version of the Bit you have? That will help our tech team provide you with the best possible guidance.

Thanks in advance!

Best regards,
Filip