FPGA Configuration Troubleshooter

You can use this troubleshooter to help you identify possible causes to a failed FPGA configuration attempt. While this troubleshooter does not cover every possible case, it does identify a majority of problems encountered during configuration. This troubleshooter can be supplemented with Altera's Knowledge Database to help you identify and fix your configuration problem.

Quartus II Programmer

• The Quartus II programmer fails to recognize the device ID
• The Quartus II programmer reports successful configuration but the device/devices are not configured
• Fail to initiate the EPCS or flash programming in Quartus II software
• Fail to program the EPCS device through Serial Flash Loader (SFL)
• Fail to program the parallel flash through Parallel Flash Loader (PFL)

Configuration Cycle

• The device does not enter user mode although the CONF_DONE pin is released high at the end of the configuration cycle
• The nSTATUS pin is pulled low or is toggling at the beginning of the configuration cycle
• The nSTATUS pin is pulled low or is toggling at the end or at different point of the configuration cycle
• The nCONFIG and nSTATUS pins are released high, but the CONF_DONE pin does not go high at the end of the configuration cycle
• The CONFIG and/or nSTATUS pins do not release high after the device is powered up

Decompression

• Uncompressed file works but compressed file doesn't work or vice versa

Design Security

• Unencrypted file works but encrypted file doesn't work or vice versa
• Volatile key programming failure
• Non-volatile key programming failure
• The nSTATUS pin is pulled low or is toggling at the beginning of the configuration cycle

Remote System Upgrade

• When using Remote System Upgrade feature, the FPGA is not able to switch from factory page to application page