Well I have updated the bootloader using this Getting Started with Seeed Studio XIAO ESP32C3 - Seeed Wiki but it still requires the multi button sequence that gets very old when actually trying to do something. Is there an update that allows simply loading without all the button folderol ?? None of the other devices of this ilk Iāve used require such a thing and that ilk includes several other ESP32 versions. This is a great and wonderful implementation but all the button pushing is gonna put it on a shelf.
Yea, Iām feeling your pitaā¦ I updated my test unit and it still needs me to push the buttons also, Strange as well when it finishes uploadingā¦ and Resets (well it sayās itās resetting RTS. ) but it never does I must manually reset it to start executing the revised code download. Something is WACK!
May need to CAD up a reset & boot helmet like the Xiao nRF52840 BLE Sense Reset Button(pic2) Helemet. LOL 
more testingā¦ may jump over to VS_code and try it there.
GL :-p
Well OK. Notes for anyone considering using the SEED ESP32C3 in the future. The noted switches sequence that MUST be used at every upload sequence is ridiculous and will wear out those tiny low cost switches during the course of any normal development process (if not your fingers and patience).
Also note that there is no onboard RF antenna and so the WiFi and Bluetooth will not function without an additional antenna. The included antenna is 3 times the size of the chip.
This otherwise is a fine piece of hardware at an excellent price. Too bad the actual implementation didnāt follow thru ! The 3 I bought are on the shelf unless and until something changes.
Hey there,
Same frustration here, would love to see the manufactures response to this, since this is not mentioned anywhere on there website. Also on other tutorials, this procedure is not mentioned. I was wondering if this is an issue related to Arduino and the way it uses the upload tool. That is why Iāve also tested it with PlatformIO, but also no luck there.
I am wondering If there has been a change in the bootloader that caused this. Again, I would like to see some response of Seeedstudio to shine light on this topic. The waiting game I supposeā¦
Yea, Iād sure like to see them address the issue too, for me itās a show stopper. Itās not present in other ESPās Iāve used. During development Iāll do a zillion uploads and Iām just not going thru the button sequencing required a zillion times no matter how much I like the hardware.
FWIW Before I ordered I asked the question about there being an onboard antenna like many (all?) other ESP32s have and never got a response on that so I suspect they just clam up if itās something they donāt want to fess up to. Probably a space issue being the device is so small. Understandable. The antenna is not really a big deal to me but they could have answered the question.
Hi @PJ_Glasso
I think I have the same issue with my XIAO nRF52840 Sense. I need to push the reset button twice before uploading the code. (not sure if that is called opening bootloader) Otherwise the port selection option is greyed out. Can you confirm if you had the same issue and fixed it by updating bootloader? (feels like asking a contact method from you but not sure if its under community guidelines :
)
Very similar, excessive button pushing requirements. Iāve only seen one alternate bootloader (suggested above) and that did nothing for the issue at hand.
Private conversations are OK but sharing information with all concerned is really the purpose of this forum. When we talk privately others canāt benefit from the info exchanged.
No I think itās called DFU mode for those chips.
Anyway Wrong thread to ask on also, this is for the Xiao ESP32c3 which is WAYYY different than the Sense version of NRF52 series.
No way around the button dance to upload code to the ESP32c3.
GL :-p
Well. I only bought ESP32C3s to see if they would be usable, mostly like the pin compatibility to Xiao & their small footprint. There are other less obnoxious ESP32s that I use. Anyone wanna trade 3 ESP32C3s for 3 Xiaos ?
Donāt trade your boards away just yetā¦
I fixed the issue. I have created a repository with a guide on how to do it. Please contribute if necessary. I created it in a way that other board fixes can be addressed in this repo as well.
Since Iāve fixed it Iām in love with these boards again 
No joy continues ! Life is too short to fool endlessly with inferior products especially those shipped in INCOMPLETE VERSION OF SOFTWARE. My offer to trade still standsā¦anyone ?
Simple, but dumb suggestion here, while Iām waiting on delivery of one of these, Iāve noted that often when Iāve found myself unable to push code without resetting to DFU mode, itās my own stupid fault, and is caused by my having deployed software to the board that doesnāt allow the processor to go into AND OUT OF the default loop() often enough.
Try deploying the simplest blinky code to the processor, and see if this clears the problem - if so, youāve got a hang or infinite loop in your code, and thatās preventing it from getting to the ādo I have a request for updateā section of the onboard code.
Thanks for the suggestion but thatās not the case. Simply this device has not been implemented properly. Doesnāt matter these are and will remain on the shelf. Life is way to short to deal with ignorant designs. Sorry I wasted my money.
Unfortunately, I have the same problem and I could not upload the code to the board. I tried different methods and different OS but I donāt understand why the problem is not solved. Every time after uploading the code, the board enters the bootloader mode.
You can try updating your xiao with a new firmware, which will most likely solve your problem!
Did that, as stated by me and others in this thread. The available firmware did not accomplish.
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After doing this, the problem was not solved.
Thank you! For the first time I have been able to upload without all the button pushing. This also allows the sketch to run right away without a second button push.
It was a little concerning running an executable on my desktop that the virus software wasnāt happy with, especially when the version number doesnāt match the instructions. I did it anyway, and the problems seem to be solved.
I hope that Seeed can update the firmware for the cards they havenāt shipped yet. If this project works out Iāll be buying dozens of ESP32-C3s and I donāt want to have to manually update each one.
In case thereās doubt, this refers to:
I have created a repository with a guide
This has been fixed in Arduino 2.0.17 but if you are using platformio they have not updated to yet. There is a work around here:
I can finally upload and monitor in a single button press lol.
Hi there,
SourGrapesā¦
Ignore the Whiner in this thread, Even if your stuck in a boot loop and canāt get it to go, try this, It works in all situations BUT you have to have the necessary Hand , Eye coordination to pull it off.
Hilarious, Guy sends BAD code to it and Nerfs it up , then blames hardware. when the problem really exist between the Keyboard and the Floor. 
" compile a blinky example as normal, verify its a good compile. "
Unplug Xiao, Press Upload and if you time it right āreconnect Xiao as it gets to the actual upload portionā
Takes a few tries , but if you get it just right it will hook and upload, thus āUN-Nerfingā the KaKa 
code you sent previously.
Works every time I wack a bootloader or write out of memory bounds in my experimental code.
HTH
GL 
PJ
A whiner is someone who complains a lot, especially in a self-pitying or peevish manner or tone. Whiners often complain about little things, and can also be described as disagreeable or unpleasant people 