Moes WK-US2-TC New Board Revision Blocking OpenBeken Flash—Anyone Bypassed This?

Not sure if I should continue the discussion in the (old) existing thread so opening this one; feel free to merge if needed:

Moes WK-US2-TC : The manufacturer slightly changed the board design and for some reason I can't flash it anymore.
more details here (last 3 posts)

https://www.elektroda.com/rtvforum/viewtopic.php?p=21709985#21709985

The devices are new and were never initialized with the stock app.
Looking for guidance or troubleshooting tips.

Thanks

Well, you'd need to check what is connected to RX/TX lines. Maybe there is a capacitor or something. I have seen this happen before:

>>21712680

Thanks, the row of components in front of the CB2S were not there in the previous version
The capacitor in front of TX is directly connected to it (tested with multimeter). I could desolder it but that would be a wild guess as I don't have more knowledge beyond the video you provided above. Also I have noted that the button status LEDs (each side of the USB-C port, 2nd image below) change color from red to green when trying to start syncing so there is probably some communication going on that interferes with TX/RX. Unfortunately I don't have easy access to the underside of the board so if some trace needs to be cut there it would beyond my skills and not worth the effort. However I don't mind removing the buttons and/or LEDs altogether if that is an option. Control is exclusively done via HA anyways. If someone has experimented with this device, feel free to jump in.

And this capacitor is between TX and... GND? Or 3.3V? Or which signal?