spidev module doesn't load; no /dev/spi* in core/linux-raspberrypi-latest 3.13.1-1

[hugoferreira]

SPI support, present in core/linux-raspberrypi 3.10.29-1, hasn't been working at least since 3.12.

[ghost]

Might be the same issue I'm having. SPI (/dev/spi) using spidev only works when spidev is not a module but is statically built into the kernel. the spi-bcm2708 can be used as a module though.

linux/arch/arm/mach-bcm2708/bcm2708.c

Line 556 in 7193cfe

#ifdef CONFIG_BCM2708_SPIDEV

[P33M]

spidev is working on recent firmware, but not enabled by default. The recommended method to enable this by default is to add the module name to /etc/modules.

[pelwell]

With a DT-enabled kernel, enable the spi interface by adding dtparam=spi=on to config.txt. This will also cause the spidev module to be loaded (but see #1054 ...)

[xevilmaxx]

Hi,
Recently had some issues with SPI module too.
OS used: Debian10 arm64
Soc: Raspberry Pi 3 B v1.2

As many sugested, i added dtparam=spi=on to config.txt in: /boot/firmware/
but after several tries (including adding more specific dtparams) and kernel changes, nothing worked.

Solution:

1. Backup/Move *.dtb from /boot/firmware/ into /boot/firmware/oldDtbs
2. Clone this repo: https://github.com/raspberrypi/firmware/tree/master/boot
3. Copy *.dtb and overlays folder into: /boot/firmware/
4. sudo shutdown -r now
5. Check if SPI si ok: ls /dev/spi*

[transplier]

I had the same issue with my old B Rev. 2. Attempting the above suggestions did not fix it. Copying over the official firmware as per the previous comment unfortunately crashes the board on boot.

[pelwell]

Install a fresh RPiOS to a spare card and verify that it works as expected. If it does (and it will), your issue must be the result of some unknown combination of kernel + firmware + Device Tree files, and an issue from 2015 is not the right venue for getting some help - try the Raspberry Pi Forums.

[transplier]

OK. This is a fresh install of Debian 10, but I'll take this elsewhere.