Error Logs or Terminal Output

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 109 views

Esp-idf Flash Failing with Error in Esp-sr Makefile (AIS-1927)

The ESP-IDF (Espressif IoT Development Framework) is a popular open-source framework for developing IoT applications on ESP32 and ESP8266 microcontrollers. However, users have reported issues with flashing their projects using the ESP-IDF flash target. In this article, we will investigate the issue of ESP-IDF flash failing with an error in the ESP-SR makefile.

Before we dive into the issue, let's go through the checklist to ensure that this is not a duplicate issue:

Checked the issue tracker for similar issues to ensure this is not a duplicate
Read the documentation to confirm the issue is not addressed there and your configuration is set correctly
Tested with the latest version to ensure the issue hasn't been fixed

How Often Does This Bug Occur?

This bug occurs always.

Expected Behavior

I would expect the "flash" target to work.

Actual Behavior (Suspected Bug)

The "app" / build target completes successfully, but when I try to flash the board, the process fails with an error. In the logs, I have added the full "flash" logs and the main error.

Error Logs or Terminal Output

Error:
CMake Error at managed_components/espressif__esp-sr/CMakeLists.txt:113 (add_dependencies):
  Cannot add target-level dependencies to non-existent target "flash".

  The add_dependencies works for top-level logical targets created by the
  add_executable, add_library, or add_custom_target commands.  If you want to
  add file-level dependencies see the DEPENDS option of the add_custom_target
  and add_custom_command commands.

Full log:


====================[ Build | flash | Debug ]===================================
C:\Users\ryanv\AppData\Local\Programs\CLion\bin\cmake\win\x64\bin\cmake.exe --build C:\Users\ryanv\Desktop\raket\code\raket-zaken-git-repo\esp_idf_test\cmake-build-debug --target flash -j 6
[1/7] C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe /C "cd /D C:\Users\ryanv\Desktop\raket\code\raket-zaken-git-repo\esp_idf_test\cmake-build-debug\esp-idf\esptool_py && python C:/Espressif/components/partition_table/check_sizes.py --offset 0x8000 partition --type app C:/Users/ryanv/Desktop/raket/code/raket-zaken-git-repo/esp_idf_test/cmake-build-debug/partition_table/partition-table.bin C:/Users/ryanv/Desktop/raket/code/raket-zaken-git-repo/esp_idf_test/cmake-build-debug/origin_flight_computer.bin"
origin_flight_computer.bin binary size 0x68b70 bytes. Smallest app partition is 0x100000 bytes. 0x97490 bytes (59%) free.
[2/7] Move and Pack models...
Recommended model partition size: 3902K
[3/7] Performing configure step for 'bootloader'
FAILED: bootloader-prefix/src/bootloader-stamp/bootloader-configure C:/Users/ryanv/Desktop\raket\code\raket-zaken-git-repo\esp_idf_test\cmake-build-debug\bootloader-prefix/src/bootloader-stamp/bootloader-configure 
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cmd.exe /C "cd /D C:\Users\ryanv\Desktop\raket\code\raket-zaken-git-repo\esp_idf_test\cmake-build-debug\bootloader && C:\Users\ryanv\AppData\Local\Programs\CLion\bin\cmake\win\x64\bin\cmake.exe -DSDKCONFIG=C:/Users/ryanv/Desktop\raket\code\raket-zaken-git-repo\esp_idf_test/sdkconfig -DIDF_PATH=C:/Espressif -DIDF_TARGET=esp32s3 -DPYTHON_DEPS_CHECKED=1 -DPYTHON=python -DEXTRA_COMPONENT_DIRS=C:/Espressif/components/bootloader -DPROJECT_SOURCE_DIR=C:/Users\ryanv\Desktop\raket\code\raket-zaken-git-repo\esp_idf_test -DIGNORE_EXTRA_COMPONENT= -GNinja -S C:/Espressif/components/bootloader/subproject -B C:/Users\ryanv\Desktop\raket\code\raket-zaken-git-repo\esp_idf_test\cmake-build-debug\bootloader && C:\Users\ryanv\AppData\Local\Programs\CLion\bin\cmake\win\x64\bin\cmake.exe -E touch C:/Users\ryanv\Desktop\raket\code\raket-zaken-git-repo\esp_idf_test\cmake-build-debug\bootloader-prefix/src/bootloader-stamp/bootloader-configure"
-- Minimal build - OFF
-- Building ESP-IDF components for target esp32s3
NOTICE: Skipping optional dependency: espressif/esp_hosted
NOTICE: Skipping optional dependency: espressif/esp_wifi_remote
NOTICE: Skipping optional dependency: espressif/esp_hosted
NOTICE: Skipping optional dependency: espressif/esp_wifi_remote
NOTICE: Skipping optional dependency: espressif/esp_hosted
NOTICE: Skipping optional dependency: espressif/esp_wifi_remote
NOTICE: Skipping optional dependency: espressif/esp_hosted
NOTICE: Skipping optional dependency: espressif/esp_wifi_remote
NOTICE: Processing 26 dependencies:
NOTICE: [1/26] chmorgan/esp-libhelix-mp3 (1.0.3)
NOTICE: [2/26] espressif/cbor (0.6.0~1)
NOTICE: [3/26] espressif/esp-dsp (1.4.12)
NOTICE: [4/26] espressif/esp-modbus (1.0.17)
NOTICE: [5/26] espressif/esp-serial-flasher (0.0.11)
NOTICE: [6/26] espressif/esp-sr (1.9.5)
NOTICE: [7/26] espressif/esp-zboss-lib (1.6.3)
NOTICE: [8/26] espressif/esp-zigbee-lib (1.6.3)
NOTICE: [9/26] espressif/esp_diag_data_store (1.0.2)
NOTICE: [10/26] espressif/esp_diagnostics (1.2.1)
NOTICE: [11/26] espressif/esp_insights (1.2.2)
NOTICE: [12/26] espressif/esp_modem (1.3.0)
NOTICE: [13/26] espressif/esp_rainmaker (1.5.2)
NOTICE: [14/26] espressif/esp_rcp_update (1.2.0)
NOTICE: [15/26] espressif/esp_schedule (1.2.0)
NOTICE: [16/26] espressif/esp_secure_cert_mgr (2.5.0)
NOTICE: [17/26] espressif/jsmn (1.1.0)
NOTICE: [18/26] espressif/json_generator (1.1.2)
NOTICE: [19/26] espressif/json_parser (1.0.3)
NOTICE: [20/26] espressif/libsodium (1.0.20~2)
NOTICE: [21/26] espressif/mdns (1.8.0)
NOTICE: [22/26] espressif/network_provisioning (1.0.2)
NOTICE: [23/26] espressif/qrcode (0.1.0~2)
NOTICE: [24/26] espressif/rmaker_common (1.4.6)
NOTICE: [25/26] joltwallet/littlefs (1.18.1)
NOTICE: [26/26] idf (5.5.0)
-- DEBUG: Use esp-modbus component folder: C:/Espressif/components/bootloader/subproject/managed_components/espressif__esp-modbus.
NOTICE: Skipping optional dependency: espressif/esp_hosted
NOTICE: Skipping optional dependency: espressif/esp_wifi_remote
-- Project sdkconfig file C:/Users/ryanv/Desktop\raket\code\raket-zaken-git-repo\esp_idf_test/sdkconfig
-- Compiler supported targets: xtensa-esp-elf
-- Adding linker script C:/Espressif/components/soc/esp32s3/ld/esp32s3.peripherals.ld
-- Bootloader project name: "bootloader" version: 1
-- Adding linker script C:/Espressif/components/esp_rom/esp32s3/ld/esp32s3.rom.ld
-- Adding linker script C:/Espressif/components/esp_rom/esp32s3/ld/esp32s3.rom.api.ld
-- Adding linker script C:/Espressif/components/esp_rom/esp32s3/ld/esp32s3.rom.bt_funcs.ld
-- Adding linker script C:/Espressif/components/esp_rom/esp32s3/ld/esp32s3.rom.libgcc.ld
-- Adding linker script C:/Espressif/components/esp_rom<br/>
**Esp-idf Flash Failing with Error in Esp-sr Makefile (AIS-1927) - Q&A**

**Q: What is the ESP-IDF flash target and why is it failing?**
---------------------------------------------------------

A: The ESP-IDF flash target is a command that is used to flash the firmware onto the ESP32 or ESP8266 microcontroller. It is failing due to an error in the ESP-SR makefile.

**Q: What is the ESP-SR library and why is it causing issues?**
---------------------------------------------------------

A: The ESP-SR library is a component of the ESP-IDF framework that provides a serial flasher for the ESP32 and ESP8266 microcontrollers. It is causing issues because it is being used in the flash target, even though it is not being used in the user's code.

**Q: How can I fix the issue with the ESP-IDF flash target?**
---------------------------------------------------------

A: To fix the issue with the ESP-IDF flash target, you can try the following:

1.  Update the ESP-IDF framework to the latest version.
2.  Check the user's code to ensure that the ESP-SR library is not being used.
3.  Remove the ESP-SR library from the user's code.
4.  Rebuild the project and try flashing the firmware again.

**Q: What are the common causes of the ESP-IDF flash target failing?**
----------------------------------------------------------------

A: The common causes of the ESP-IDF flash target failing include:

1.  Outdated ESP-IDF framework.
2.  Incorrect configuration of the user's code.
3.  Missing or corrupted dependencies.
4.  Issues with the ESP-SR library.

**Q: How can I troubleshoot the issue with the ESP-IDF flash target?**
----------------------------------------------------------------

A: To troubleshoot the issue with the ESP-IDF flash target, you can try the following:

1.  Check the user's code for any errors or warnings.
2.  Check the ESP-IDF framework for any updates or patches.
3.  Check the dependencies for any missing or corrupted files.
4.  Try rebuilding the project and flashing the firmware again.

**Q: What are the best practices for using the ESP-IDF flash target?**
----------------------------------------------------------------

A: The best practices for using the ESP-IDF flash target include:

1.  Always update the ESP-IDF framework to the latest version.
2.  Check the user's code for any errors or warnings.
3.  Check the dependencies for any missing or corrupted files.
4.  Try rebuilding the project and flashing the firmware again.

**Q: Can I use the ESP-IDF flash target with other microcontrollers?**
----------------------------------------------------------------

A: Yes, you can use the ESP-IDF flash target with other microcontrollers, but you may need to modify the user's code and the ESP-IDF framework to support the new microcontroller.

**Q: How can I get help with the ESP-IDF flash target?**
------------------------------------------------

A: You can get help with the ESP-IDF flash target by:

1.  Checking the ESP-IDF documentation and user guide.
2.  Searching online forums and communities for solutions to similar issues.
3.  Contacting the ESP-IDF support team for assistance.
4.  Joining the ESP-IDF community for help and support.