Multilink Universal does not connect to the target MCU - RESET line not asserted

By Paul P. : Jan 14, 2026 at 01:56 AM (01:56 hours)
Staff: Johnny N. : 10 comments

Hello,
I have a Universal Multilink (REV E, FW 11.52) which I have used for some time to successfully to program and debug a MCXW71 MCU. But after I flashed some (buggy) code that made the MCU go into a low power mode immediately after POR the Multilink is no longer capable of connecting to the target MCU. I realized that this is because the Multilink does not assert the RESET line and therefore cannot bring the MCU out of low power mode in order to connect to it.

Why is the RESET line not asserted? Is there a setting somewhere?

It's probably the exact same issue described in this previous topic: https://www.pemicro.com/forums/forum_topic.cfm?forum_topic_id=9058&forum_id=7#c32058

Thank you,
Paul.

Hi,

If you are using our PROG software to flash your MCXW71 , what version is it?

If you are using a 3rd party IDE, can you check the version you have installed?

You can find the version in the IDE About Page -> Installed Software.

Regards,
Johnny
PEmicro Support

Hi Johnny, I'm using MCUXpresso v24.12.

Thanks,
Paul.

Hi Paul,

v24.12 is not the latest version of the IDE so that means your PEmicro plugin might also be old.

https://www.nxp.com/design/design-center/software/development-software/mcuxpresso-software-and-tools-/mcuxpresso-integrated-development-environment-ide:MCUXpresso-IDE

Can you try updating to our latest plugin?

https://www.pemicro.com/learningcenter/contents.cfm?content_id=86

If the new plugin does not resolve the issue, I'll find a board and run some tests. Maybe the issue was not fully resolved by my previous colleague. He is no longer working at the company so I can't ask him.

Regards,
Johnny
PEmicro

I tried with the latest version (25.6) and the problem persists...

I have also installed the latest PEMicro plugin (6.1.6...).

Hi Paul,

Can you go to Debug Configuration-> GDB PEMicro Interface Debugging-> PEmicro Debugger tab and check the option "Emergency Kinetis Device Recovery by Full Chip Erase".

Let me know if that makes a difference.

I've tried that before. Tried again now. No luck.

Hi Paul,

Can you email us the elf/s19 file that caused this issue? The email address is technical-info@pemicro.com

Regards,
Johnny
PEmicro

Hi Johnny. Any news on the issue? Thanks, Paul.

Hi Paul,
Could you please try the following:
1.Close MCUXpresso 25.6
2.Navigate to the following directory:
C:\nxp\MCUXpressoIDE_25.6.74_ear\ide\plugins\com.pemicro.debug.gdbjtag.pne_6.1.6.202512081450\supportFiles_ARM\NXP\MCXWx
3.Open the file "MCXW716C.DDF" using a text editor such as notepad.
4.Change the value "hardreset=1" to "hardreset=0", save and close the file.
5.Open MCUXpresso 25.6 and try launching a debug session.

This resolved the issue on my setup.

The fix will be included in the next PEmicro release.