DFPlayer BIG problems

Hello,

I have problems with DFPlayer reliability.

I use the DFPplayer mini in a design with TI MSP430G2231 microcontroller. Both are connected to the same regulated
3.3V power supply.

MSP430G2231 does not have a UART interface, so I use digital IO to control the IO1 and IO2 pins of DFPlayer.

I have 5 mp3 files stored in the SD card (0001.mp3, 0002.mp3 --- 0005.mp3). I pulse ADKEY1 and ADKEY2 (logic high to logic low for 500 milliseconds) using the microcontroller to start playing files 0001.mp3 and 0005.mp3 .

I don't need to play other files. I don't read the BUSY output of the DFPLayer.

mp3 files are sampled at 44.1kHz and at 48kpbs constant bit rate.

I am facing 2 problems -- unreliable operation with DFPlayer:

#1

Sometimes, one of the two files 0001.mp3 or 0005.mp3 is MISSED!! DFPlayer behaves as if it did not read the track. The blue busy light does not glow.

This happens almost 1 out of 10 times.

#2

Sometimes, while playing the track just stops midway!! Each track is short, about 10 seconds. The blue busy light turns off.

This also happens 1 out of 10 times.

These are what I have tried:

I have a dedicated 3.3V power supply for DFPlayer. Does not help.

I have replaced mp3 files with Windows WAV files. With this, the problem occurs less frequently but does not go away completely.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

PP