# Argon dark after firmware update **URL:** \ **Category:** Troubleshooting\ **Tags:** argon\ **Created:** [November 14, 2019, 5:08pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283 "2019-11-14T17:08:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 13\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dmessier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@dmessier](https://community.particle.io/u/dmessier)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2019, 5:08pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283/1 "2019-11-14T17:08:59Z")
After remote updating firmware on several Photo devices, I flashed the latest default firmware to a Argon device. At this point the Argon led went dark. Attempting to reset, mode+reset does nothing. Can not get into DFU or safe mode. The only time I get a response is when pressing the hold button when adding power. Then the device flashes red/blue, green/yellow and then white before going dark. Argon worked great for over 10 months. Any help to revive the ‘dead’ Argon would be greatly appreciated. If it helps, I have the debugger (but not able to set DFU). Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![armor](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/community.particle.io/armor/32/18398_2.png) [@armor](https://community.particle.io/u/armor)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 8:05am UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283/2 "2019-11-15T08:05:30Z")
Can you help with Device OS (old and new)? IMHO plugging in the USB putting in DFU mode and using the terminal to load/flash System-part1, Tinker and then with --serial Bootloader will solve your problems. ---
**Author:** ![ScruffR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/community.particle.io/scruffr/32/6952_2.png) [@ScruffR](https://community.particle.io/u/ScruffR)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 9:39am UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283/3 "2019-11-15T09:39:44Z")
> [@dmessier](#): > > Can not get into DFU or safe mode. This would probably call for a support ticket. But I don't quite understand this > [@dmessier](#): > > pressing the hold button Should this rather be _"press/holding the MODE"_ button? But when you do that and then release the MODE button as soon you see the "green/yellow" what does the device do then? ---
**Author:** ![armor](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/community.particle.io/armor/32/18398_2.png) [@armor](https://community.particle.io/u/armor)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 9:45am UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283/4 "2019-11-15T09:45:53Z")
Apologies I didn't notice the > Can not get into DFU or safe mode. Have you been able to get it into safe mode or DFU mode in the past? Can you get it into serial (flashing dark blue) mode? You would then be able to upload the bootloader which is likely the problem. ---
**Author:** ![dmessier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@dmessier](https://community.particle.io/u/dmessier)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 11:32am UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283/5 "2019-11-15T11:32:08Z")
I meant ‘Mode’ button. ‘Hold’ was a tablet typo. Pressing and releasing the MODE button does nothing. ---
**Author:** ![ScruffR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/community.particle.io/scruffr/32/6952_2.png) [@ScruffR](https://community.particle.io/u/ScruffR)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 11:38am UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283/6 "2019-11-15T11:38:33Z")
You said > [@dmessier](#): > > The only time I get a response is when pressing the hold _[meaning MODE]_ button when adding power. Then the device flashes red/blue, green/yellow but then you say > [@dmessier](#): > > Pressing and releasing the MODE button does nothing. What I meant to ask was: When you do what you described in the first quote _but_ release the button _when_ you see yellow - instead of holding it further till white comes -, what happens then? ---
**Author:** ![dmessier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@dmessier](https://community.particle.io/u/dmessier)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 11:45am UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283/7 "2019-11-15T11:45:12Z")
Hold was a typo. Meant Mode. Yes, I have successfully set DFU, safe mode and serial states over the past year. Have experience with multiple Photon, Argon and Xenon devices. For this particular device, once power is plugged in, there is no response to any button combination. This includes both MODE and RESET. Without the ability to get into setup or DFU mode, it limits options to flash new firmware or use the debugger to update the bootloader. The Argon was at OS level 0.9.0. Was attempting to upgrade to 1.4.2. I created a support ticket on Wednesday. Hoping to get a response soon. I plan on using a spare Argon to restore operations including the mesh network/Xenons. Still like to understand how to reduce risk of device failure during remote firmware upload and hopefully get this Argon working again. The Argon was operating non stop (no reset) for many months. Is it possible, there was memory leakage over time that led to the firmware failure? The device was working perfectly prior to the firmware upgrade. Thanks for the responses! ---
**Author:** ![ScruffR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/community.particle.io/scruffr/32/6952_2.png) [@ScruffR](https://community.particle.io/u/ScruffR)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 12:12pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283/8 "2019-11-15T12:12:18Z")
> [@dmessier](#): > > there is no response to any button combination. This includes both MODE and RESET. You mean not even the D7 LED goes dim when you press and hold the RESET button? In that state the device should actually attach the internal JTAG pull-up resistor causing the dim D7. If that doesn't happen I'd suspect a more major issue with the controler. > [@dmessier](#): > > Without the ability to get into setup or DFU mode, it limits options to flash new firmware or use the debugger to update the bootloader. Via JTAG/SWD you would not need DFU mode, but given the lack of dim D7 I'm not sure this is a viable way. ---
**Author:** ![dmessier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@dmessier](https://community.particle.io/u/dmessier)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 5:17pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283/9 "2019-11-15T17:17:37Z")
Update: The D7 LED is now lights when I plug in power. Also the charging LED flickers yellow. For the past several days, both were dark. Also tried changing USB/power without change. Still no response to MODE or RESET buttons. ---
**Author:** ![ScruffR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/user_avatar/community.particle.io/scruffr/32/6952_2.png) [@ScruffR](https://community.particle.io/u/ScruffR)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2019, 5:29pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283/10 "2019-11-15T17:29:53Z")
Can you try these? [https://docs.particle.io/support/particle-tools-faq/jtag/#openocd-commands-3rd-generation-](https://docs.particle.io/support/particle-tools-faq/jtag/#openocd-commands-3rd-generation-) With a dim D7 LED you should be able to use JTAG/SWD ---
**Author:** ![dmessier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@dmessier](https://community.particle.io/u/dmessier)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2019, 9:00pm UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283/11 "2019-11-16T21:00:27Z")
Turns out the D7 LED/charging LED was lit because the Argon was moved to the foam carrier. Was able to get the Argon in DFU mode and used the Debugger/SWD to flash the Argon bootloader and soft device. Some progress. Unfortunately still can not get the Argon to operate correctly. ---
**Author:** ![dmessier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/848f3c/32.png) [@dmessier](https://community.particle.io/u/dmessier)\ **Post date:** [November 17, 2019, 2:45am UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283/12 "2019-11-17T02:45:17Z")
Looks like it is working again. Using CLI and particle update over serial finally restored normal OLED operation ---
**Author:** ![system](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex026/uploads/particle/original/3X/3/2/3291e3c9351789fe8620ae5bcec8d3fec67ff221.png) [@system](https://community.particle.io/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2020, 2:45am UTC](https://community.particle.io/t/argon-dark-after-firmware-update/53283/13 "2020-01-16T02:45:20Z")
Closed on January 16, 2020, 2:45am UTC This topic was automatically closed 60 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.