Troubleshooting Guide for the ESP8266

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

This is a companion guide to the Home Automation using ESP8266 eBook.

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

NodeMCU Flasher Troubleshooting

#1 - 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”:

NodeMCU flasher Windows 64 bits

NodeMCU flasher Windows 32 bits

#2 - 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
redownload the NodeMCU flasher.
Here’s my current settings:

#3 - 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.

#4 - 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.

#5 - How does the NodeMCU flasher should look after a successful

flash?

It should have a green arrow in the bottom left.

#6 - 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%20WH
QL%20Certified.zip
 ESPlorer IDE Troubleshooting

#1 - 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.

#2 - ESPlorer IDE Error: can’t autodetect firmware and

#2 - 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.

#3 - 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
#4 - 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

2. An IP Scanner software searches for all the devices in your network

3. Download this free software:
a. Windows PC: www.advanced-ip-scanner.com
b. MAC OS X, Windows or Linux: http://angryip.org
4. Install one of these softwares (while having your ESP running with that
web server script)
5. Open the IP Scanner software and click “Scan”
6. 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.
 Arduino IDE Troubleshooting

#1 - I can’t upload scripts to my ESP8266 using the Arduino IDE

How to make your ESP go into upload mode when using the Arduino IDE:

1. Remove power from your ESP8266

2. Having your ESP connected like this (double check that GPIO 0 is
connected to GND)
3. Apply power to your ESP8266 and open the Arduino IDE
4. Press the “Upload” button
 Did you experience other problems?
Please join our Facebook Group and ask technical
http://randomnerdtutorials.com/fb, so I can update the troubleshooting
guide with more problems and solutions.

Thanks for reading,

-Rui Santos