carljdp/D1 Mini ESP8266.md

Last active December 30, 2025 13:29

Star (42) You must be signed in to star a gist
Fork (8) You must be signed in to fork a gist

Select an option

Learn more about clone URLs
Clone this repository at <script src="https://gist.github.com/carljdp/e6a3f5a11edea63c2c14312b534f4e53.js"></script>
Save carljdp/e6a3f5a11edea63c2c14312b534f4e53 to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.

Download ZIP

Getting started with the D1 mini (ESP8266)

Raw

D1 Mini ESP8266.md

D1 Mini (ESP8266)

1. Getting Started

1.1. Install the IDE:

In any web browser:

From the Arduino website, download & install the latest Arduino IDE (v1.8 or later). Available for Windows, Mac, Linux & ARM.

1.2. Add the ESP8266 module libraries:

In the Arduino IDE: (original instructions) or docs here

From File > Preferences, add a Boards Manager URL http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json
From Tools > Board > Board Manager, search for D1 mini and install (+/- 150MB)

1.3. Connecting:

Before connecting the D1 Mini, make a note of the currently connected COM devices. In your terminal run:

Windows: mode or goto Device Manager > Ports
Mac ls /dev/tty.* && ls /dev/cu.* or ls /dev/*
Linux ls /dev/tty.* && ls /dev/cu. or dmesg | grep tty*

After connecting the D1 Mini, recheck the COM port assignments to identify the port# assigned to the device.

From Tools > Port select the correct COM port# as assigned to the device.

1.4. Testing:

From File > Examples > ESP8266 open the Blink Sketch
Double check the pin asignment (For the D1 mini it should be <pin# here>)
Verify the Sketch (check mark)
Upload the code to the module (right arrow) The LED on the device should blink!

2. The D1 Mini module

NB - Runs at 3.3V! - fortunately the module includes a onboard 3.3V regulator.

Pin Assignments

NodeMCU (similar)

website

Wesmos (the original)

D1 Mini (Product page)
Arduino Getting Started USB Drivers
Win|Mac Drivers
[[Linux Drivers ?]]

Module Variants (Like the illegitimate D1 Mini Node MCU look-alike from robotics.org.za)

Original Wesmos: Wesmos Logo, HC-340 USB chip, ESP8266-12S
NodeMCU: (see website)
Fakes: No Wesmos or NodeMCU logo, HL-340 USB chip, ESP8266-12N

3. The ESP8266 Chip

ESP8266 - A WiFi enabled microcontroller, not an officially supported Arduino chip. The ESP8266 Arduino project has implemented an Arduino Core library for the ESP8266 Chip
Data Sheet v5.5 (Espressif Systems)
Data Sheet v4.3 (Adafruit)

4. Other Links

Youtube
EEVblog #998 - How To Program ESP8266 WiFi With Arduino (Video)

ESP8266 Arduino Project

Github Documentation

ESP8266 Community Forums

ESP8266 Community Forum

NodeMCU

Code Examples

Definitions

(in the world of Arduino)

sketch - A complete Arduino program
setup - The setup routine run before the main loop (runs once)
loop - The main program that runs continuously

Author

carljdp commented Apr 4, 2022 via email

I can't find the thread of comments at the moment, unless this is the first. One thing that initially through me off as well on my first attempts was the default baud rate set on the arduino ide's console. I have not worked with the board for a while, bit I can try help you out if you can give me a fuller idea of your setup and what you are trying to achieve. I'm sure I still have one or 2 of these boards at home, so I can try to replicate your setup.. Regards Carl J (Callie) du Preez home ***@***.*** freelancer trading as Grazer Web Systems <https://grazer.co.za>

On Sun, Apr 3, 2022 at 4:33 PM chaz stone ***@***.***> wrote: ***@***.**** commented on this gist. ------------------------------ I'm at a loss... I've tried 3 different boards (ESP32, ESP8266, and D1 MINI 8266) with 2 different IDEs (Arduino and PlatformIO) and a number of different pinouts. I either end up with a boot loop or a communication error such as this: Firmware Version: 0xFF = (unknown) WARNING: Communication failure, is the MFRC522 properly connected? Scan PICC to see UID, SAK, type, and data blocks... Setup done I've literally copied and pasted your code into both IDEs and checked and rechecked the pins: Communication Failure. Any help would be greatly appreciated. [image: PXL_20220403_142724370] <https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/9574049/161433020-ba9d3132-69dd-49c7-ab76-333986718754.jpg> [image: PXL_20220403_142732252] <https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/9574049/161433022-98b2ca41-7d30-4512-8127-b5546eb0c807.jpg> [image: PXL_20220403_142911585] <https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/9574049/161433024-c7366ae5-55c1-42ff-98be-957a43b89a9d.jpg> [image: PXL_20220403_143005426] <https://user-images.githubusercontent.com/9574049/161433026-be4f9368-2817-41f3-965f-4f762239c470.jpg> — Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub <https://gist.github.com/e6a3f5a11edea63c2c14312b534f4e53#gistcomment-4119848>, or unsubscribe <https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ABKSCOE7APXNHHUTDYCBEMLVDGTZ5ANCNFSM5SNIWNGQ> . You are receiving this because you authored the thread.Message ID: <carljdp/D1 Mini ***@***.***>

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment