OSError: [Errno 1] EPERM when connecting to WiFi on Pico W

[dumbnerd08]

Hello. I am trying to connect to a network on my Pico W. I am using a simple test script:

import network
import time
wlan = network.WLAN(network.STA_IF)
wlan.active(True)
wlan.connect("ssid", "pass")
print(wlan.isconnected())

When I run this code, I get the following error:

  File "<stdin>", line 5, in <module>
OSError: [Errno 1] EPERM

I am using Micropython 1.21.0 from Micropython's website. My editor is Thonny on Debian testing. I have things connected to the board, if that makes a difference.

Interestingly, this worked about an hour ago.

[davefes]

At start try:

    sta_if.active(True)

 #  seems more reliable to start with a fresh connect()
    if sta_if.isconnected():
        sta_if.disconnect()
        print ('started in the connected state, but now disconnected')
    else:
        print ('started in the disconnected state')

and after a disconnect:

    sta_if.active(False)

[robert-hh]

After calling wlan.connect() it may take a few seconds before the device is actually connecetd and wlan.isconnected() returns True. See the code example at https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/wipy/tutorial/wlan.html or here https://docs.micropython.org/en/latest/esp32/quickref.html#networking, which waits in loop until the device is connected.

[panos-stavrianos]

Hello, I am having the same problem. I think the issue is on wlan.active.
I tried with RPI_PICO_W-20241025-v1.24.0.uf2 and some older ones but no luck.
With older firmwares, I didn't get the log [CYW43] Failed to start CYW43, but same behaviour.
I test it with two RP2040 PICO W, unfortunately I get both from the same vendor, so can't dismiss a hardware issue.

from time import sleep
import network

wlan = network.WLAN(network.STA_IF)
sleep(1)
print("WLAN Before Activation:", wlan)
wlan.active(True)  # -> [CYW43] Failed to start CYW43
sleep(1)
print("WLAN After Activation:", wlan)
try:
    wlan.connect("xxxx", "xxxx")  # -> OSError: [Errno 1] EPERM
except Exception as e:
    print("Exception running wlan.connect:", e)

WLAN Before Activation: <CYW43 STA down 0.0.0.0>
[CYW43] Failed to start CYW43
WLAN After Activation: <CYW43 STA down 0.0.0.0>
Exception running wlan.connect: [Errno 1] EPERM

---

UPDATE

Ahh sorry, apparently I got a clone pico, not the original with the CYW43455 chip

[ikerpf]

Hi, I think I have the same issue. How did you check that the chip was different from the original CYW43455 and were you able to solve the issue for your chip?

[panos-stavrianos]

This thread was very helpful, it basically has everything you need, and a lot more.
In short, mine doesn't have the CYW43455 chip that the native network library uses, but it has a ESP8285 chip that you can program with AT commands.
If yours looks like the picture from the thread, you have it too!

I actually manage to make it work, though it was a bit messy, because you need to flash the ESP8285 first, but following this worked well.
The files you need to download are here
Then I use the sample code provided in TCP_Client.py (from the files), and connected to the Wi-Fi.
Here is some junky code from ChatGPT, in an attempt to make a small library. The code works, but barely, so keep that in mind.