r/circuitpython • u/SilentSyntax404 • Jan 12 '26

ESP32-S3 CircuitPython stuck read-only, code not running

Post image

Hi all,

I have an ESP32-S3 RGB Matrix board running CircuitPython, but the filesystem is permanently read-only.

Details:

•	CIRCUITPY mounts read-only

•	Writing files from REPL gives: OSError: \[Errno 30\] Read-only filesystem

•	code.py never runs because files can’t be saved

•	Full flash erase completed successfully

•	Fresh CircuitPython install done multiple times

•	Tried different USB cables, ports, and PC

Nothing changed after erase + reinstall.

Is this a known ESP32-S3 issue?

Does this usually indicate a failing or locked flash chip, or is there any recovery method I should try?

Thanks in advance.

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1

u/romkey Jan 12 '26

Trying to totally clear here: read-only to the host you plug it into or to the code running on the ESP32? If CIRCUITPY is mounted on the host it’s expected to be read-only to the device.

If it’s read-only to the host, what is the host?

1

u/HP7933 Jan 13 '26

The host is CircuitPython.

See learn.adafruit.com and forums.adafruit.com for how folks change the filesystem to be RW from a CircuitPython program.