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Setup ESP32

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SocksOnHead edited this page Jul 21, 2025 · 6 revisions

This guide should help you set up the ESP board for programming the E-ink display with the code provided by this repo.

1. Install Arduino IDE

  • Download and install the Arduino IDE (1.x is easiest for beginners) from arduino.cc.
  • On Windows/macOS/Linux, just grab it and run the installer and follow the prompts and agree to install any USB driver offered.

2. Add ESP32 & ESP8266 Boards

  1. Open File -> Preferences in the Arduino IDE.

  2. In Additional Boards Manager URLs add:

    https://dl.espressif.com/dl/package_esp32_index.json
http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json

    (Separate each URL with a comma or newline)

3. Install Board Packages

  1. Go to Tools -> Board -> Boards Manager…

  2. Search and install:

    • ESP32 by Espressif Systems
    • ESP8266 by ESP8266 Community

4. Ensure Packages Folder Exists

  • Arduino creates a folder at ~/Arduino15/packages (%APPDATA%\Arduino15\packages on Windows).
  • Confirm it contains the hardware/espressif/esp32 (and potentially esp8266) folders after installation.

5. Add Waveshare Libraries

  1. Download the Waveshare demo code and libraries -> Download.
  2. Locate your sketchbook folder via File -> Preferences.
  3. Inside that folder, open/create libraries/.
  4. Unzip and place the Waveshare .zip contents there and each library should be in its own folder.

6. Load a Demo Sketch

  1. Connect your ESP32/ESP8266-based Waveshare driver board by USB.

  2. In Arduino IDE, choose your board:

    • For ESP32: Tools -> Board -> ESP32 Dev Module
    • For ESP8266: choose NodeMCU 1.0 or similar

  3. Select the correct Tools -> Port.

  4. Open a Waveshare example (WiFi demo sketch).

  5. Click Upload.

7. Run a Demo

  • WiFi demo: modify WiFi credentials in srvr.h, upload, open Serial Monitor (115200 baud), find IP, then view the web interface in a browser on the same network.

8. Troubleshooting Tips

  • If upload fails with “Failed to connect…”, press and hold BOOT (GPIO0) button on ESP board while uploading.
  • USB drivers missing -> install CP210x or CH340
  • Port missing -> try a different USB cable or port
  • Unstable power -> ensure USB provides a full 5 V
  • Wrong board selected -> double-check Tools -> Board and Port

Summary Checklist:

Step Action
1 Install Arduino IDE
2 Add ESP32/ESP8266 board URLs
3 Install board packages
4 Ensure packages folders exist
5 Add Waveshare libraries to libraries/
6 Choose board, port, and upload a demo
7 Run Bluetooth/WiFi demo
8 Use troubleshooting tips if needed

Next Page: Connection

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