ESP8266 Troubleshooting Guide

ESP8266 Troubleshooting Guide

The ESP8266 has a few common issues, specially when you are trying to flash a new firmware or uploading scripts.

This is a companion guide to the Home Automation using ESP8266 and Password Protected Web Server eBooks.

Here’s a compilation with some of the most common problems with the ESP8266 and how to fix them.

ESP8266 Troubleshooting – NodeMCU Flasher

Where do I download the NodeMCU flasher?

Go to the NodeMCU flasher GitHub repository and download the flasher for your Windows PC bit version by clicking the button that says “Raw”:

Which settings should I use with the NodeMCU flasher?

The NodeMCU flasher already comes with the right settings by default.

If you have changed some of the settings, I highly recommend that you re-download the NodeMCU flasher.

Here’s my current settings:

 

After I press the “Flash” button nothing happens, the NodeMCU flasher doesn’t start the flashing process 

If you pressed the “Flash” button and nothing happens… It means one of these two things:

  • Problem 1 – Your ESP isn’t in flash mode (double-check if GPIO 0 is connected to GND on power up)
  • Problem 2 – Your FTDI Programmer can’t supply enough current to your ESP

 

Problem 1 – How to make your ESP go into flash mode:

  1. Close the NodeMCU flasher window
  2. Remove power from your ESP8266
  3. Having your ESP connected like this (double check that GPIO 0 is connected to GND)
  4. Apply power to your ESP8266 and open the NodeMCU flasher
  5. Press the “Flash” button

If it’s still saying “Waiting MAC”, then try the following:

  1. Having the NodeMCU flasher still open
  2. Connect a wire from your ESP8266 reset pin to GND
  3. Remove that wire from GND and connect to VCC

Repeat steps 2 and 3 a few times until your ESP reboots and hopefully the NodeMCU flasher can detect your ESP and start the flashing process.

Problem 2 – If your FTDI can’t supply enough current, you might need to buy a new FTDI programmer or power your ESP8266 with an external power supply.

NodeMCU flasher gets stuck at a certain percentage

 

  1. Remove power from your ESP+FTDI:
  2. Close the NodeMCU flasher window
  3. Plug your ESP+FTDI to your computer again
  4. Open NodeMCU flasher and try the 19200 baud rate

If this process fails, please repeat the same procedure for the next baud rates (38400, 57600, 74880 and 115200).

I don’t know why, but at least 5 people faced the same problem and this trick solved it. So at a baud rate of 57600 or 115200 I think it will flash 100%. I don’t have any logical explanation, since this is not very common.

How does the NodeMCU flasher should look after a successful flash?

It should have a green arrow in the bottom left.

 

Unbricking the FTDI Programmer on Windows PC

If you have a brand new FTDI Programmer and you need to install your FTDI drivers on Windows, visit this website for the official drivers: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm.

In alternative, you can contact the seller that sold you the FTDI Programmer.

If you’re having trouble installing the FTDI drivers on Windows 7/8/8.1/10 it’s very likely that FTDI is bricked.

Follow this tutorial to fix that: http://youtu.be/SPdSKT6KdF8.

In the video I mentioned earlier, the guy tells you to download the drivers from the FTDI website, read carefully the YouTube description of his video to find all the links. Here’s the drivers you need: http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/CDM/CDM%20v2.12.00%20WHQL%20Certified.zip

ESP8266 Troubleshooting – ESPlorer IDE

ESPlorer IDE Error: only one tcp server allowed

This means that you tried to upload multiple scripts and you ESP is still running the old script with a web server. To fix it, you simply need to send these commands to delete all the files and restart your ESP:

  1. file.format()
  2. node.restart()

Upload the script again and name it ‘init.lua’ and you shouldn’t see that error again.

ESPlorer IDE Error: can’t autodetect firmware

and

ESPlorer IDE Error: Waiting answer from ESP – Timeout reached. Command aborted.Waiting answer from ESP – Timeout reached. Command aborted.

 

This sounds like your ESP it’s still in flash mode. How to make your ESP go into user mode:

  1. Close the ESPlorer IDE connection
  2. Remove power from your ESP8266
  3. Having your ESP with GPIO 0 connected to VCC
  4. Apply power to your ESP8266 and re-establish the connection with ESPlorer IDE

If it’s still saying “can’t autodetect firmware”, then try the following:

  1. Having the ESPlorer IDE connection still printing “…..”
  2. Connect a wire from your ESP8266 reset pin to GND
  3. Remove that wire from GND and connect to VCC

Repeat steps 2 and 3 a few times until your ESP reboots and hopefully the ESPlorer IDE can detect your ESP.

My code disappears when I restart the ESP8266

If you upload a script to your ESP and when you restart it your ESP doesn’t do anything. It means that your ESP couldn’t find the script or it occurred a memory issue.

This can be solved like this:

  1. You didn’t save your script with this exact name ‘init.lua’. Re-uploading the same script, but with the ‘init.lua’ name should solve your problem
  2. It can be a memory issue. Re-flashing the ESP with NodeMCU flasher usually solves that problem

Finding the ESP8266 IP Address

Before you start make sure you check these two items:

  1. Verify that the script uploaded to your ESP has the right network credentials
  2. Make sure your ESP is near your router

Here’s what you can do to find the IP address:

Solution 1 – Sending a command with the ESPlorer IDE

  1. Send the command “print(wifi.sta.getip())” with the ESPlorer IDE and it should print your IP Address

 

Solution 2 – Install an IP Scanner Software

  1. An IP Scanner software searches for all the devices in your network
  2. Download this free software:
    1. Windows PC: www.advanced-ip-scanner.com
    2. MAC OS X, Windows or Linux: http://angryip.org
  3. Install one of these softwares (while having your ESP running with that web server script)
  4. Open the IP Scanner software and click “Scan”
  5. Let that process finish (it can take a couple of minutes)

In my case, it found my ESP. Now if I type 192.168.1.95 in my browser I can see the ESP web server.

For More Details: ESP8266 Troubleshooting Guide


About The Author

Ibrar Ayyub

I am an experienced technical writer holding a Master's degree in computer science from BZU Multan, Pakistan University. With a background spanning various industries, particularly in home automation and engineering, I have honed my skills in crafting clear and concise content. Proficient in leveraging infographics and diagrams, I strive to simplify complex concepts for readers. My strength lies in thorough research and presenting information in a structured and logical format.

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