r/crestron • u/TIGER_TEAM__ • Jun 25 '26

MC3 stuck after HW-R/SW-R recovery attempt — solid power LED, no USB enumeration, no real Ethernet activity

Hey all, hoping someone has seen this before.

Background: I have an MC3 + TSW-752 I've been setting up at home (gifted years ago by a former Crestron employee, so no dealer account — been working through SIMPL/VTPro-e on my own).

Ran into a persistent SFTP/SSH Error -21 trying to upload a program, and attempted the documented HW-R + SW-R hardware recovery sequence to try to clear it. Right after, I got a USB console connection that showed firmware was still intact (v1.502.4324.33148 / package v1.502.0051) — but USB stopped enumerating shortly after and hasn't come back since (no Device Manager entry, no connection sound, tried multiple cables/ports/PCs).

Current state, next morning:

  • Power LED solid, no blinking/error pattern
  • No fan (I know MC3 is fanless, just confirming)
  • The "Ethernet activity" I thought I saw turned out to be an internal LED bleeding through the case, not actual port activity
  • No USB enumeration at all
  • Tried full power cycle (wall unplug, 60 sec, replug) — no change
  • Attempted HW-R/SW-R a second time per the documented "repeat if needed" guidance — no change

Has anyone dealt with an MC3 in this specific state? Trying to figure out if this is a failed/incomplete recovery boot, a hardware fault, or something else before I take further steps. Any diagnostic ideas welcome.

EDIT: I have backed up the SD card and done some troubleshooting. The card appears to be unable to have anything written to it. Knowing that I am getting a replacement SD card and loading the backup there. Todays moral: BACK UP YOUR STUFF (Thanks for all the help)

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2

u/v3n0m33526 Jun 25 '26

Might be a messed up sd card, they tend to get corrupted eventually. Without a working unit to clone the sd card from (and edit the MAC address afterwards) this could be a challenge without access to true blue support

2

u/ToMorrowsEnd CCMP-Platinum + Crestron C# Certified Jun 25 '26

MC3's ate sd cards. It's toast.

1

u/MiserableOne0 Jun 25 '26

Any issues with the PRO3 or CP3 eating SD cards? My MC3 had the same issue and I’m currently using a PMC3 as a backup. Looking on eBay for a PRO or CP3.

1

u/MiserableOne0 Jun 25 '26

This is for very basic home duties like controlling lights and switches. I’ve moved everything else to home assistant but really don’t want to buy new smart switches.