• DepthAI-v2
  • Couldn't read data from stream: 'cama' (X_LINK_ERROR)

The OAK-D Lite device connects and is detected properly in various computers but always returns error "Couldn't read data from stream: 'cama' (X_LINK_ERROR)" when reading camera channels.

Running depthai cam_test producess this issue. Observed also when using the API examples and the depthai-viewer.

The camera was part of a Turtlebot 4 Lite package. The issue happens consistently both on the onboard Raspberry Pi and a desktop computer.

SYSTEM LOG:

depthai cam_test -d 18443010A122600E00 -raw
DepthAI version: 2.30.0.0
DepthAI path: /home/kau-humble/.local/lib/python3.10/site-packages/depthai.cpython-310-x86_64-linux-gnu.so
Enabled cameras:
   cama : color
   camb : mono
   camc : mono
CAM:  cama
CAM:  camb
CAM:  camc
[18443010A122600E00] [1.1] [0.902] [MonoCamera(9)] [error] OV7251 only supports THE_480_P/THE_400_P resolutions, defaulting to THE_480_P
[18443010A122600E00] [1.1] [0.903] [MonoCamera(6)] [error] OV7251 only supports THE_480_P/THE_400_P resolutions, defaulting to THE_480_P
Connected cameras:
 -socket CAM_A : IMX214 4208 x 3120 focus:auto  - COLOR
 -socket CAM_B : OV7251  640 x  480 focus:fixed - MONO
 -socket CAM_C : OV7251  640 x  480 focus:fixed - MONO
USB speed: SUPER
IR drivers: []
[]
Cam:      cama          camb          camc     [host | capture timestamp]
FPS:   0.00|  0.00   0.00|  0.00   0.00|  0.00 Communication exception - possible device error/misconfiguration. Original message 'Couldn't read data from stream: 'cama' (X_LINK_ERROR)'
Exiting cleanly
[2025-04-28 11:17:26.405] [depthai] [error] Device with id 18443010A122600E00 has crashed. Crash dump logs are stored in: /home/kau-humble/.cache/depthai/crashdumps/
c16b75cc8a0d6dc6eaaadf24713db00a1f84948c/crash_dump.json - please report to developers.

Hi,

Here a few quick things to check:

  • Make sure you're using the latest depthai version (pip install depthai --upgrade), just in case it's a version issue.

  • That X_LINK_ERROR often means a power issue, especially on Raspberry Pi. Make sure:

    • You're using a USB3 port (blue port).

    • If possible, try a powered USB hub — the Pi sometimes can’t supply enough current on its own.

Best of luck,
Lovro

11 days later

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. I’ve already double-checked everything you mentioned, including using a different cable and a powered USB hub, but I still get the same error. Also, I’m not using a Raspberry , so all the tests are being done on a PC.
No matter what I try, the same error persists in every case.

    AitorZorroza
    Hm, so same thing happens on the PC as well? Even with a powered hub for the OAK-D? What about other simpler examples from depthai-python - like rgb_video?

    Thanks,
    Jaka

      jakaskerl

      Yes, the same issue occurs on the PC. I’ve also tried running other examples like depthai-python rgb_video, but they result in a crash as well, generating a crash_dump:

      [2025-06-11 16:13:16.405] [depthai] [error] Device with id 18443010A122600E00 has crashed. Crash dump logs are stored in: /home/kau-humble/.cache/depthai/crashdumps/ c16b75cc8a0d6dc6eaaadf24713db00a1f54948c/crash_dump.json - please report to developers.