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The dtbo must match the kernel, and the bootloader reads it from the active slot

scope: generic · severity: trap · confidence: proven · subsystem: boot

Where the bootloader applies a device-tree overlay from a dtbo partition, the mainline overlay and the stock one are mutually exclusive. Mainline needs a stub; a stock recovery like TWRP needs the vendor one.

Two things make this expensive to diagnose:

  1. The bootloader reads dtbo from the active slot — so on an A/B device you must flash both slots, or the next slot flip silently reverts you.
  2. Getting it wrong bounces you back to fastboot in about 3 seconds and looks exactly like a bad kernel. You will debug the kernel. The kernel is fine.

Set PORTHOLE_NEEDS_DTBO=1 and PORTHOLE_DTBO_IMG in the profile. When a boot fails in ~3 s with a kernel you have no other reason to doubt, check the dtbo before anything else — it is one command and it is usually the answer.