Raspberry Pi 2 with LibreElec does not start

CluelessShmok · August 19, 2022 at 3:20 PM

Hi,

I have a problem with my Raspberry Pi 2 and LibreElec. I tried to turn on the device but it suddenly did not work. The red LED and green LED were only permanently on. So the first thing I tried was to turn the device on and off. Works sometimes . Unfortunately this did not help. So the fiddling started. I have tried installations on three different SD cards and three different power supplies as well as two LibreElec images. Only one HDMI cable and one LAN cable are connected to the Raspberry.

I have tried to install LibreElec with Windows 10. For this I used 3 different SD cards 4, 8 and 32 GB. For formatting SD Card Formatter was used or Disk Management. LibreElec USB-SD Creator, Rufus and Win32 DiskManager were used to write to the SD cards. The images used were LibreElec 10.0.2 and 9.2.8.

I tried the same thing on Linux KDE Neon. Only that here I used the Disk Manager and Etcher to write to the SD cards.

Nothing helped. When inserting the SD card with LibreElec into the Raspberry Pi 2, the red and green LEDs light up permanently and nothing happens.

Can anyone help me? Perhaps I have overlooked something obvious.

**Da Flex** · August 19, 2022 at 3:34 PM

Did that RPi2 ever worked with any software? Try Raspberry Pi OS to check the hardware.

**HiassofT** · August 19, 2022 at 4:02 PM

This sounds like the RPi can't read from the SD card - see here for more info

STICKY: Is your Pi not booting? (The Boot Problems Sticky) - Raspberry Pi Forums

so long,

Hias

CluelessShmok · August 19, 2022 at 10:53 PM

Da Flex Yes, the RPi2 worked well over 5 years and the last used software was LibreElec until it didn't work at once.

HiassofT Read the article earlier. I know that the RPi can't read from the SD card, but still don't know why, or the RPi is broken.

**Da Flex** · August 20, 2022 at 12:02 AM

If it doesn't write any log info, then I bet on a broken microSD reader.

Remove the microSD after boot fault, connect it to a desktop PC, and check the log file (if any log exists).

**HiassofT** · August 20, 2022 at 12:36 AM

Broken RPi, SD-card reader or SD card are all possible causes for the symptom of not blinking ACT LED.

An easy standard thing you could try is inserting and removing the SD card a couple (10 or 20) of times - that'll clean contacts and it might start working again.

Also make sure the SD card locks in nicely, the spring-loaded SD card slot on RPi2 was a PITA and often failed.

Trying with yet another SD card, also with RPi OS, would be another option.

so long,

Hias

CluelessShmok · August 20, 2022 at 12:44 AM

Da Flex there is no log file. I also tried to start Raspberry Pi OS, same issue.

HiassofT as mentioned, I tried it with 3 different SD cards. Insert a SD card probably 100 times. Yep, tried RPi OS, didn't work.

**Da Flex** · August 20, 2022 at 1:51 AM

Card reader contacts can get some oxidation over the years. Try to clean it, or if you have the skills, replace it.

CluelessShmok · August 20, 2022 at 4:35 PM

Quote from Da Flex

Card reader contacts can get some oxidation over the years. Try to clean it, or if you have the skills, replace it.

Okay, I cleaned it and tried it again, didn't work. So should be the SD card slot of the RPi. Could it be the power supply?

**Da Flex** · August 20, 2022 at 5:38 PM

Quote from CluelessShmok

Could it be the power supply?

Unlikely since you tried three of them. Cleaning the slot doesn't mean you can rule it out.

I suggest two options:

a) replace the card reader

b) use a JTAG for searching other issues

If you're convinced it's not the the card reader, take option b).

CluelessShmok · August 20, 2022 at 6:35 PM

Quote from Da Flex

Unlikely since you tried three of them. Cleaning the slot doesn't mean you can rule it out.
I suggest two options:
a) replace the card reader
b) use a JTAG for searching other issues
If you're convinced it's not the the card reader, take option b).

Only to be clear, you mean the card reader/slot on the RPi not the one used to write the image?

**Da Flex** · August 20, 2022 at 6:45 PM

Quote from CluelessShmok

Only to be clear, you mean the card reader/slot on the RPi not the one used to write the image?

Yes.

**Da Flex** · August 20, 2022 at 6:50 PM

PS: JTAG without a working RPi can become a very time-consuming task. I suggest to order a new microSD reader from China (eBay).

petediscrete · August 20, 2022 at 9:38 PM

You could try getting one of these working in the slot in case your slot is failing. No more swapping in/out on the main board card reader. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Extens…405058951&psc=1

**Da Flex** · August 20, 2022 at 10:05 PM

Quote from petediscrete

You could try getting one of these working in the slot in case your slot is failing. No more swapping in/out on the main board card reader. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Adapter-Extens…405058951&psc=1

That's SD, not microSD.

CluelessShmok · August 20, 2022 at 10:17 PM

Da Flex thanks, but I can't find a proper part. Maybe the easiest to buy a new RPi or a Mi Stick

petediscrete but if the slot is already damaged ...

petediscrete · August 21, 2022 at 11:15 AM

Wrong link above. Micro SD extension cable of course.

https://cablematic.com/en/products/mi…tAaAjdPEALw_wcB

They can be found from many different retail outlets.

I managed to revive the on board sd card reader by sliding a thin piece of card in with the sd card into the sd card reader on the non contact side of the card. It managed to retain the sd card in place so it could be read. I then removed the card and followed the same procedure using the piece of card on the contact end of the extension cable. Permanent fix now.

Here’s a quick how to video

External Content m.youtube.com

Content embedded from external sources will not be displayed without your consent.

Through the activation of external content, you agree that personal data may be transferred to third party platforms. We have provided more information on this in our privacy policy.

**Da Flex** · August 21, 2022 at 3:19 PM

At current RPi prices a repairing is definitely worth a try.

It's hard to solder such small contacts, so pressure contact should be preferred. I would cut off the upper side of the readers housing. Then try to bring microSD contacts back to original position (by a needle or something). Press the adapter (above link) onto those contacts, and try to boot. If it works, make it permanent by some glue.

Raspberry Pi 2 with LibreElec does not start

Similar Threads

Crash after scrolling many (larger) pictures

Raspberry Pi 4 rev. 1.4 with Kodi at 480i

Force Raspberry Pi 4B 5 GHz WiFi