Pickit 3 vs MPLAB X 6.20 (solved)

[Drirr]

Hi,
After some time, I decided to get back into programming.
I found my old Pickit 3, which should be compatible with MPLAB X 6.20.
I also have some PIC24FJ32GA002 chips.
Everything seems to be working — MPLAB X recognizes my Pickit 3, and the project is fine.
But here's the problem:

Program loaded with pack, PIC24F-GA-GB_DFP, 1.9.336, Microchip 
Loading completed 
Connecting to programmer... 
The programmer could not be started: Could not connect to tool hardware: PICkit3PlatformTool, com.microchip.mplab.mdbcore.PICKit3Tool.PICkit3DbgToolManager 

I tried this on both Linux and Windows 10 with the same result.

I can't figure out why this is happening. Could the Pickit 3 have outdated firmware? Is there an incorrect configuration in MPLAB? I tried to find the old Pickit application to update the firmware, but I got a 404 error for both links.
My hardware connections are:

    Pickit ---- MCU
    MCLR/VPP to MCLR (pin 1) (0V when connected to Pickit, otherwise 3.3V)
    VDD to VDD (pin 28) (3.3V measured)
    PGD to PGED1 (pin 4)
    PGC to PGEC1 (pin 5)
    PGM (LVP) left floating

The only LEDs that light up are POWER (green) and ACTIVE (blue).
During a programming attempt, the STATUS LED does nothing.
It seems like the Pickit 3 is ignoring MPLAB altogether.
Pickit firmware selector (or updating tool?) in MPLAB does nothing, ignored by pickit.

I've run out of ideas. Should I feed Microchip's management by buying a Pickit 5?

[RAPo]

Did you do a reset?

[Drirr]

Thanks for reply,

Tried reset,
Then uncheck "Use Latest Firmware"
selected PK3FW_015609.jam
Apply

not a single LED blink, only power and active.

*****************************************************
Connection Failed.

The programmer could not be started:...  same result

[Drirr]

Got it working,
PICKIT was stucked in some strange mode.

You need to download:
https://github.com/langbeck/pickit3-programmer?tab=readme-ov-file

Select - revert to MPLAB mode

Lost some hair.. again