3 Simple ways of programming an ESP-12 Module

In this video we will take a look at 3 different ways of programming an ESP8266-12 Module.
This is a re-upload with fixed wiring diagrams.
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External Links:
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Miika's video on flashing the ESP-01 module: • #7 Flash ESP-01 easily...
FTDI Wiring to ESP: www.instructables.com/id/FTDI...
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Hardware:
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Pop-In ESP Module programmer* - s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cZCikVg4
Fred's frog pin ESP Module programmer - www.tindie.com/products/fred_...
ESP-12 Breakout Boards (10)* - s.click.aliexpress.com/e/GPXAWta
PL2303 USB to Serial Convertor* - s.click.aliexpress.com/e/iwb14NE
NodeMCU ESP8266 Dev board* - s.click.aliexpress.com/e/cobmgpPa
or
Breadboard friendly NodeMCU* - s.click.aliexpress.com/e/BtJCfde
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(both times Dublin/London)
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Instructables: witnessmenow - www.instructables.com/member/...
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[@TheChubbypapa]

Your wiring diagram is the most crystal clear. Great video!

[@andymouse]

never used esp12 before and needed quick concise instruction ....found it here !...cheers.

[@UnexpectedMaker]

Awesome Brian! Programming the 12X from a nodemcu is super clever!

[@tonysicily2687]

Thank you, a GREAT VIDEO, NO music Great info, very clear, THANK YOU

[@arjunpamidi5638]

In case this helps someone: If you're using an ESP-12S which is already on a PCB, pull both GPIO0 and RESET to ground when you arrive at the "uploading" (after "compiling") stage. After a second or so, stop pulling the pins to ground (I happened to stop pulling RESET and then GPIO0 when I did it, in that order) and uploading should commence. Thank you for the helpful video, Brian!

[@faramarzzabihian2758]

it was a great Help. Thank you NOTE: in case of using breakout boards, they have those pull up/pull down resistors by default. so respective connections can be omitted.

[@agustinguzman6375]

Great video Brian! took me many times to program this ESP-12S , but this video cleared up a few things. Using "Arduino IDE" to program.

[@rachidsbai8980]

Using the nodeMcu it was the only way that works fro me! thank you very much for the idea!

[@connorchapman4223]

Nice I am going to definitly use this sometime.

[@varunkulkarni7158]

That was a nice idea, Thank you for such a great information.

[@jon_raymond]

I bought a NodeMCU board a while back because we'll, you gotta catch them all! Glad it's useful now!

[@BrianLough]

Was this a reference to the inspiration of the thumbnail!? Who's that Pokémon!?

[@giocanni3590]

You are a genius! Thank you for sharing this!

[@fabiano_bim]

ótimo video, funcionou perfeitamente. fiz a ultima opção usando o NudeMcu e deu tudo certo, muito obrigado por encimar

[@rohanprak]

First of all thanks a lot Brian , that second method really worked for me , i have tried more than 7-8 method over 15 days , then at some point i thought that my "ESP8266 12E" is defective , i may have not soldered it correctly , or may be i have already blown it . . . . . , so i brought two more , again i was't able to upload code , then i saw your video , again i same thing . Then i accidentally UPLOADED the codes XD - LOL so here is the precise Observation to all those who are still not able to make through even after watching multiple tutorial online (just as me) -- " press Boot button first , keep it pressed , then press the reset button (at least for a sec) then release reset button (remember we haven't released boot button ), (wait for another sec) , then release Boot button " , YOU are in now . thanks again Brain :: Greetings from INDIA

[@AV1461]

Yes. Espressif says "The ESP8266 will enter the serial bootloader when GPIO0 is held low on reset." [1]. Rarely in electronics do you have to press or release two buttons "at the same time". Because half of the time one is released first and the other half of the time it's the other way around. Besides, buttons bounce. [1] - github.com/espressif/esptool/wiki/ESP8266-Boot-Mode-Selection I was having issues for days. But it seems I busted the previous board.

[@kireetdeshmukh399]

thanks rohan, I was also having issue here, it helped me a lot

[@Hasitier]

Nice video Brian. Not sure if I will ever need to program a bare esp but good to know how to do it.

[@jambrosio]

This video works for me :D Thanks !!!

[@justembedit]

dude ur video really helped me and saved time & money for me.tnks

[@philippkitzmuller9907]

Thx for this nice Video helps me a lot

[@RaikSchneider]

Hi Brian. Could you explain the wiring for the ESP-01 too? I found no matching pin for ESP-12E GPIO15 (HSPI CS/U0RTS/MTDO) on the ESP-01 ...

[@sujjwal007]

Can we flashing, bootloading & programming new one esp12e replacing the onboard esp8266 v3 chip (esp12e)

[@deathshaker0026]

Very interesting. I have been looking for solutions to program esp 03. I started to make a proto shield. When it comes to programing esp12 I have a few more ideas that might work when I get to them going.

[@Xlikinho]

Hello Brian, thanks for the awesome video, it was of great help! The only issue I have is that in the NodeMCU ESP-12S setup, the waking up from deep sleep by connecting RST to GPIO16 doesn't work. Do you have any suggestions?

[@14sulli14]

Thanks Brian! I want to program ESP-12 to receive data using SPI from an ADS1299 chip, and plan to make a PCB for it. I think I'll program the ESP-12 from a NodeMCU. Aside from breaking out the correct pins to program it, is there anything else I should watch out for? Or is there any reason why you think it won't work? Thanks

[@hamidhasan04]

Very very thank you.Your are great

[@Koshala123]

After going through your video i wired up my esp 12e to the ftdi and powered up using a voltage regulator . the sad news is it wont let the code upload but when i pressed the reset button the serial port says "" ets Jan 8 2013,rst cause:2, boot mode:(7,6) waiting for host" Does anyone know the solution for this . I'm stuck with this part from morning on wards

[@soufianechekroud497]

Hello can i programming esp12 module with esp32 devkit v1 board?

[@bravemadoun6729]

Please, how can I use the ESP8266 ESP-12E with Arduino Mega? thank you so much

[@ArnovSharma]

does programming with Nodemcu will also work with any ESP module, like for example esp8285 or ESP01?

[@sujjwal007]

How to flashing esp12e chip using arduino uno/esp8266(nodemcu) module ?

[@victorgalvez927]

Hi great video; I need to ask you one question: ¿The programing board is compatible with ESP12E? many thanks in advance..!

[@farhandriz855]

bryan i successfully flash but i recieve only machine language after flashing can you help me

[@user-np6dm7ks3e]

i dont have the 100 uf capacitor can i skip it (btw im using Arduino uno to power the board )

[@startobytes]

Pls Help me! If i want to Upload Code to nodeMcu it says that there are no programmers available! Pls Help, what should i do?!

[@sairfan06]

What pin configuration is needed to just run ESP12 module

[@muhammadbilalawan]

Thank you Man!

[@d3221]

Thanks for the video - but what capacitor do I need? :S Will a 100uf for 6.3V capacitor last?

[@radiamoon2395]

hi, i have a problem with this esp8266 E12 i am using it with arduino uno to program it but my problem is that my AT commands didn't work before and then i uploaded the firmware and it's working but when there is no code. so when i upload a code( where i'm using some AT commands to open a web page) they don't work. can you help me?

[@diyrobotronics]

Which board I select in arduino ide?

[@azzouzamine12]

i want to link esp8266 to arduino without nod mcu dev board, can you give me how i link him?

[@clydealcott3379]

Sir, can you show how to program the esp12 e with ESP32 devkit v1 board..?

[@muhammadalam2498]

tried eveything with Node MCU but still can't work. Getting error: the selected serial port _ does not exist or your board is not connected . My COM selected is correct. Any idea am I doing wrong?

[@gregsegallis9628]

The idea of using the nodeMCU is brilliant. But can't the ESP12E just be jumpered over without the resistors since all the resistors and switches are already on the node MCU? Seems even simpler this way.

[@bravemadoun6729]

S'il vous plaît, comment puis-je utiliser l'ESP8266 ESP-12E avec Arduino Mega? Merci beaucoup

[@N00T0N]

I finally did it !

[@SrikanthBhospet]

This video helped me to program blink onto my ESP12 8266 WiFi module, Also please let me know why AT commands doesn't work after burning blink. All the connections are as is in this video currently!

[@AV1461]

I'm confused. Espressif says that GPIO2 should be pulled high [1]. But nor in the diagram you show, nor inside my ESP12F is there a pull-up resistor on GPIO2. Yet, this programming methods works for me (and pulling up GPIO2, didn't seem to work). [1] - github.com/espressif/esptool/wiki/ESP8266-Boot-Mode-Selection

[@Kaka-zs4cp]

Hello Brian, I wanna make a program to upload the esp-12 module using a ESP32 board and the bin file inside the SPI of the ESP32. You know any place to learn about how to code the uploader? any uart protocol I can use?

[@mohammedyasarshaikh4501]

What about Arduino as ISP

[@connorchapman4223]

I have also been wondering can you program a node mcu board with the arduino ide because as far as I know it has its on ide that you use.

[@BrianLough]

Yeah you definitely can use it with the Arduino IDE. I think there is s lua script framework that you can use with it too, but I've only ever used the Arduino ide

[@Beshrkayali]

Hey! Thanks for the video. At 2:27, I got the same "adapter board" from banggood, but I'm wondering how are you keeping the esp steady in place? Did you just solder it in? I'm wondering if there's an easy way to make it easy to place/remove esp from board, kind of like the first board.

[@BrianLough]

Yeah I soldered it. I dont think there is an easy way. If you need to remove it I would get the frog pin board.

[@zachreyhelmberger894]

Thank you very much for the "disabled" NodeMCU board method! I can do this right now, PTL! BUt what is the significance of the 100uF electrolytic? Will it work without the cap? I am assuming the AMS1117 3.3V reg on the NodeMCU dev board can handle the naked ESP-12 module?

[@startobytes]

yes, I tryed it with the ams1117 3.0 and it works!!!

[@startobytes]

The 100uF Cap is there to stabilize the voltage so you don't need it, but it is recommended to use one!

[@donutjonut2872]

How do I wire up just the esp12e to my project? Do I need crystals and capacitors like with an Arduino uno or can it run without them

[@BrianLough]

The wiring diagram at 1:08 is the minimum circuitry needed for an esp12e

[@kabirnarayanjha]

Hello sir m begginer in electronics can you please tell me what value of capacitor should I use like 100mf and 25v or 35v ??

[@MadsonOnTheWeb]

Both are ok. The 'voltage' doesn't matter as long as it is higher than you need, which is 3.3v in this case.

[@duncanx99]

Will this actually work as an 'in circuit' programmer, or just with naked ESP-12 modules? I'm thinking of situations where GPIOs are connected to external circuitry.

[@BrianLough]

Once the circuitry is not incompatible with the boot mode options there shouldn't be a problem. Like for example if you connect gpio0 to high directly with no resistor, grounding it is going to cause a short! But if gpio0 was connected to an led then there shouldn't be a problem. It will basically behave exactly like the development boards would

[@andymouse]

HI...…..Seon sent me here!......looking at your vids now

[@BrianLough]

Top bloke that Seon 😂 Welcome!

[@hogfanboy9443]

Great video thanks, Now I want to make a PCB that holds the nodemcu and has header pins for programming esp8266 project. Looking at the programming pin outs on you clock project gnd gpio0 3.3v tx rx rst. I wonder if there is a standard for the order? I'm currently looking at a project using a ESP-12S ( thus I can bring traces thru the bottom middle) and a different order would make routing easier. but then again a ESP12F might have a different optimal order. Anyway was wondering if you had any thoughts on standardizing the order on the programming pins

[@BrianLough]

I don't believe there is, but there is a programmer on tindie that someone made and I decided to make my PCB pin compatible with that, so might not be the worst orientation to pick www.tindie.com/products/iohippo/esprog-esp8266-esp32-programmer-with-autoreset/ By the way you can get some nodemcu on AliExpress without the esp-12 module, but they are only a couple of cent cheaper so probably not worth it!

[@hogfanboy9443]

Thanks Brian, the tindie product looks nice, here is my guess why that pin order may not be the best when using a nodemcu as a programmer. On the nodemcu programmer we don't swap TX and RX, but with this tindie programmer I'm guessing one does. Thus my project routing was always needing to cross over those 2 traces, I'm leaning towards. going with the order of 3.3v RST TX RX GPIO0 GND. looks to work good when using a ESP12S because I can place the programming header just below the ESP and all the traces are short straight shots. ( ok sorry for getting too much in the weeds)

[@danharold3087]

Is there something special about the nodemcu board or can one use a board like the Wemos D1 or mini ?

[@BrianLough]

Mainly that it has chip enable broken out so you can disable the onboard esp module. I believe you can do the programming with a wemos if you keep reset low, but you don't get the auto resetting magic

[@timwoodburn5895]

You can use a D1 mini by shorting the ESP12x EN pin 3 to the RF can. Works just as well as Node MCU.

[@rizayulian]

Can we use wemos d1 mini to program esp12

[@BrianLough]

I have never tried but I think you can ground the reset line to disable the d1 mini, but you wouldn't be able to use the auto reset

[@gudimetlakowshik3617]

Woooow Brian......I found this exactly in a great time.....Can you just tell me what pins I just breakout in order to program the ESP12E module that is on my PCB??

[@ShmokeDvd]

3:26

[@engineer2968]

Nice Video! Do you know the resistor values for normal operation of the ESP12?

[@BrianLough]

At 1:33 it's basically that circuit but I guess you don't need the buttons. All the resistors are 10k, but they are just pullups so anything in that region would be fine

[@kavindugimhanzoysa2565]

Do I need to set D3 as LOW in setup() function?

[@BrianLough]

No, it should be pulled down by a resistor

[@kavindugimhanzoysa2565]

@@BrianLough you mean in the node mcu?

[@GR2dot71GORY]

I love your accent, man.

[@lasersbee]

Unfortunately the PL2303HX USB to Serial Convertor only works up to Win 7 and shipping is $4.75 to Canada. Can be found much cheaper on eBay and elsewhere.

[@BrianLough]

I'm using it with window 10 anyways, I'm not sure what drivers I used as I have it set up a long time. That's shipping sucks! There should be tonnes of them on AliExpress or as you say eBay that should be the same

[@szabolcskovacs1095]

Hi everyone! I made every required wiring but I still couldn't upload code. When I try to connect via VSC - Platform IO for uploading got "timed out". Monitoring is working fine, I can see the output of the code. Thank you for your help in advance!

[@WarishKumarSahoo]

Even i'm facing same problem. Any solution you got ?

[@szabolcskovacs1095]

@@WarishKumarSahoo You need UART downloading boot mode, you can find the pin levels here: riktronics.files.wordpress.com/2016/10/untitled.png?w=462&h=296

[@maheshmandhare8008]

Good

[@sebastiandeza1020]

dude nice video, i have a question, If is possible to use the wifi mode and control another device like an accelerometer and programming on the Arduino's IDE?

[@BrianLough]

Is the question can you use an accelerometer and WiFi? If so yes! Just Google esp8266 and accelerometer and I'm sure there is some example

[@sebastiandeza1020]

@@BrianLough Thanks!

[@florisbastiaan1113]

are the resistors strictly necessary?

[@BrianLough]

Very advised. They are pull up resistors though, if you don't have 10k anything in the range would be fine. Even 1k might do in a pinch

[@apwasapwas]

Hey Brian, thats awesome.What are the resistor values?

[@BrianLough]

They are just pull-up/pull down so anything around 5k-10k should be perfect

[@apwasapwas]

Awesome. Thanks mate. It did work

[@Davedarko]

re-released? why can I see this if it's not listed?

[@BrianLough]

Yeah a viewer pointed out a mistake in the wiring diagram, rather than explaining it in the description I decided to fix it and re-upload. It should be public, not sure why it would show as unlisted

[@Davedarko]

also, can we make that a standard?

[@BrianLough]

Make what a standard? Messing up so bad you have to re-upload!? 😂

[@Davedarko]

hehe sorry, I wrote that while seeing your last variant and you pointing out to have the pins broken out. I made an ESP board that had the ftdi header on it though -> that's easy to acquire

[@ChunkySteveo]

Great video Brian. You explain it all so well, and love the idea of piggybacking on a NodeMCU board!

[@browaruspierogus2182]

I don't want to use Arduino - what is best ?

[@YashasviGoel]

Did you find a solution?

[@msmadaram]

have you ever work on android broker such as moquette or something like that ? when we have one esp8266 and we want to connet to it with 20 mobile phone what happen? each esp8266 or esp 12e can just have 8 TCP/ UDP connection what's your idea if we have 20 mobile phones and simultaneous they want to connect to one esp publisher? if we run an android broker on one of mobile phones and other connect to it we can connect to esp by one TCP/UDP from broker to esp, is it true? have you ever work on android broker such as moquette or something like that ? and we don't have any cloud on the net!!!!

[@BrianLough]

I've never done anything like that but it does seem like a job for a pub/sub broker. MQTT would be what most people would recommend I would think.

[@farsidd]

Does it work with ESP8266-12E ?

[@rajukumarkhaniya5389]

same question

[@farsidd]

@@rajukumarkhaniya5389 yes it worked perfectly with ESP8266-12E i have ordered and checked it perfectly works

[@rajukumarkhaniya5389]

@@farsidd then please send AT commands to access network and circuit diagram of esp

[@vishaltejwani940]

what is the value of resistor

[@BrianLough]

The not super important but pull-ups are usually 10k

[@vishaltejwani940]

@@BrianLough it isn't working , i followed exactly same. If you can connect with me to troubleshoot that would be great..!

[@vishaltejwani940]

@@BrianLough esp com failed error..

[@jasonmhite]

I miss Mika, he hasn't been making videos recently.

[@BrianLough]

Me too, I liked his videos a lot, lots of good info in them. He still replies to comments etc so hopefully he'll come back to making videos someday!