RPI 3B won't boot anymore after running 'dietpi-update' to go from Dietpi 9.12 -> 9.14

Troubleshooting
1

Creating a bug report/issue

I have searched the existing open and closed issues.

Required Information

  • DietPi version | 9.14.2 master MichaIng
  • Distro version | bookworm 0
  • Kernel version | Linux DietPi 6.12.34+rpt-rpi-v8 #1 SMP PREEMPT Debian 1:6.12.34-1+rpt1~bookworm (2025-06-26) aarch64 GNU/Linux
  • Architecture | arm64
  • SBC model | RPi 3 Model B (aarch64)
  • Power supply used | 5V 1A RAVpower
  • SD card used | USB SSD (no SD card)

Additional Information (if applicable)

  • updated/migrated from DietPi 9.12 to DietPi 9.14 using dietpi-update command.
  • Rebooted system and found it won’t boot from the USB SSD anymore. Was working fine under DietPi 9.12.
  • Can this issue be replicated on a fresh installation of DietPi? YES, fresh install of DietPi does the same thing on the RPI 3B booting from the originally updated USB SSD (exact same USB SSD).

Steps to reproduce

  1. Start with an Installed working DietPi 9.12 version, or start with a fresh install of DietPi 9.14, install on a USB SSD.
  2. Run ‘dietpi-update’ if running DietPi 9.12
  3. Or try to boot the fresh installed DietPi 9.14

Expected behaviour

  • Should boot to OS like it did when running DietPi 9.12. Booting and running from the same USB SSD was working fine for months on DietPi 9.12.x. The 9.14 update seems to have broken it on the RPI 3B.

Actual behaviour

  • Boot stops with a black screen, no information available about what’s happened or where it stops (that I know of)

Extra details

  • The DietPi 9.14 updated USB SSD does boot and work work on a RPI 3B+ (booting using the exact same USB SSD).
  • Also, a fresh install of DietPi 9.14 with boot fine on the RPI 3B+.
  • It seems as if the DietPi 9.14 update broke working on a RPI 3B booting from the same USB SSD. Again, DietPi 9.12 was working and booting perfectly fine on a RPI 3B using the same USB SSD.
2

Did I understand correctly that a new installation on v9.14 works? Only the system you have updated does not work?

3

No. An updated or newly installed version of DietPi 9.14 works on a RPI 3B+, NOT the 3B.

One difference between 3B and 3B+ (as i understand it) is the 3B+ has build-in USB boot. The 3B does not have it built-in; you have to activate it.

It would appear there’s a quirk in the 3B USB boot code not present in the 3B+.

4

yes but USB boot functionality has nothing to do with DietPi or a specific version. This feature is pure RPI related, provided by RPi kernel and RPi firmware. Probably there was a kernel update that changed thinks. You should be able to test by running a DietPi 9.12 (if a backup is available) and update kernel + firmware by running apt update && apt upgrade

5

I have a DietPi 9.12 image still running so I’ll give it a try. Thank you.

6

on a 3B or different type of SBC?

7

I have DietPi 9.12 running on a 3B, just not as a USB SSD. I did not do apt upgrade/update on it though.

I suppose it might also help to do apt update/upgrade on the DietPi 9.14 image to see if there’s a fix available.

8

Personally, I always run apt update/upgrade independently of dietpi-update to exclude side effects of apt managed packages that may appear to be related to DietPi update