Arduino TFT LCD Touch Screen Tutorial (2.8" ILI9341 Driver) also for ESP32

Welcome to another Arduino video tutorial! In this video, we are going to take a first look at this 2.8" Color TFT Touch display!
Today we are going to learn how to drive the 2.8" Touch display with the ILI9341 driver with an Arduino Uno and an ESP32 board. First of all, let's take a close look at the display itself. The display is big, and it offers a resolution of 320x240 pixels. Compared to one of my favorites displays, the 1.8" Color TFT display you can see it a lot larger. The screen also offers touch functionality which is an added bonus and an SD card slot at the back. It uses the SPI interface, so the connection with the Arduino is very straightforward. The cost of the display is relatively low; it costs around 11$ which in my opinion is a fair price for what this display offers.
🛒 Display: educ8s.tv/part/...
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LIBRARIES
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📥 Adafruit GFX: github.com/ada...
📥 Adafruit ILI9341: github.com/ada...
📥 URtouch: www.rinkydinkel...
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CODE OF THE PROJECT
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📥 educ8s.tv/ardui...
👨‍💻 Check my new KZbin channel: bit.ly/3tku2n0
🎮 My Android Game: bit.ly/QuizOfKn...

[@Educ8s]

I hope you took away lots from this video. Let me know below! PS: I'm creating an OOP course! Sign up at programmingwithnick.com/course for early access and a 50% launch discount.

[@AllanDee]

Thanks so much for putting this together. I just received my TFT in the mail and will be using it for a weather station project. I really appreciate your intro and sample code. This will be a great place to start.

[@officermeowmeowfuzzyface4408]

Anyone who may be stuck... I got my 2.8" SPI TFT working on an NodeMCU 32S "ESP32-WROOM" board in hardware SPI mode. There are various pinout versions that look similar, so you have to find the right one. I found that the diagram with VSPI pins worked for mine, connecting pins VSPI_MOSI, VSPI_SCK, VSPI_SS up the video board, which were labeled P23, P18 and P5. There is a VSPI_CS so I just used that for SS, and DC went over to "P2". Reset is on P0 but idk, there is no apparent magic location for the tft constructor, or if reset is necessary unless maybe after an imposed sleep mode. The pin numbering was confusing for my first time using this board. P2 means 2 in code. The global variable declaration is then: *tft* = Adafruit_ILI9341(5,2); And omfg it is so fast compared to software mode, especially software mode on an Uno or Mega.

[@sangitasrivastava172]

Best Arduino channel on KZbin I've found

[@peterwackel7995]

It seems to be the first one you found...

[@danielgago-sk]

This display works with Arduino Uno not only so slow, but is need to use hardware SPI, not software. Start procedure in Code: #define TFT_DC 9 #define TFT_CS 10 #define TFT_RST 8 //#define TFT_MISO 12 - defined automatically in the library + this pin ist not used //#define TFT_MOSI 11 - defined automatically in the library //#define TFT_CLK 13 - defined automatically in the library Adafruit_ILI9341 tft = Adafruit_ILI9341(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST); // only this pins defined in Start, else is working software SPI ! And the speed is almost the same as at ESP32. But otherwise an excellent tutorial, and not just this one, but all.

[@rickrose2235]

Thanks this works, I tried other ways from other youtube videos voltage dividers and logic level shifters but those didn't work, but this was the only schematic that actually works and uses far fewer resistors.

[@shadyengineer1988]

Hi. Thanks for sharing. I'd like to say that there are two possible reasons for slow display: the first one is using software SPI instead of hardware SPI and the second reason is using UCGlib instead of Adafruit graphics library + adafruit ILI9341 library (the Adafruit library has excellent performance).

[@larrybud]

How do you force it to use the hardware spi?

[@masonjodood554]

Just a tip if you didn’t know or are new to high definition tft displays: Instead of clearing the screen for each loop or each time something is updated, just paint over it using a black rectangle and then print the new data. It is basically partial refresh and will DRASTICALLY improve performance.

[@NavyPanther54]

This video is what made me buy some esp32. Making a screen for my car and I need it to update faster, and the Arduino is noticeablely slow to update

[@racingmat13]

Thanks for this nice video! I have currently this TFT LCD display on my desk and I'll use a teensy LC which is 4x faster than arduino and 3.3V to see the result

[@wduraes]

Awesome tutorial. I love how much I learn about devices I can use on my projects by watching your channel!!

[@fabiorube7764]

As reported in the manual Make a bridge in J1 for use the dispay at 5V instead 3,3 v with resistors installation

[@billglass5160]

Thank you for the tutorial. It is very thorough and well-supported with good documentation. I will try this display. I ordered one today. I am thinking about replacing my current LCD 16x2 display on my sensor host station. I am currently using a Nano, but I have a spare Teensy 4.0 in my workshop. I will probably use it to meet the required additional memory and speed requirements fot this display. I compiled your 3 example codes for the Teensy. The graphics code compiles OK but I had some warnings for the RTC code and errors for the touch code. I will wait for delivery of my display before looking into these details and let you know.

[@billglass5160]

Compatability problem. Need to replace #include "URTouch.h" by #include for the Teensy. I got it working OK. Much better display compared to the LCD 16x2. Also, I have all my sensor data on one single screen page instead of 2.

[@kosa2004]

I am using the ILI9341 Displays with ESP8266 projects. For example i am in love with Squix weather station and modding it to fit my needs. Take a peek on it :)

[@elgentidwell9407]

As of writing this i am having an issue. My LCD is still white. Not that the lcd is bad, its a well reviewed lcd, a Hiletgo tft spi v1.2. But yet nothing is working. I really would appreciate some help here

[@raphaw7684]

Was ist possible to solve the problem? I have the same problems!

[@safwanshaib9106]

In the diagram at minute 2:31, you connected the Vin and LED pins of the display to the 5V instead of the 3.3V on the arduino

[@liveriesfsx9352]

Another great video for beginners. Easy to understand, a lot of useful informations. Thank You!

[@jamieh9351]

How about making a retro games console with the esp32 and the display? There's an open source NES emulator for the esp32 and other systems are being worked on e.g. ZX Spectrum etc.....

[@moji5867]

it will work on mega 2560 ??

[@alnoorratansi9364]

Great Project , we could improve it by getting time from the internet and setting the rtc. once every 12 hours to keep the rtc accurate.

[@tommyd5758]

Great tutorials , keep up the good work )

[@Educ8s]

Thank you, Tommy! I am glad you liked it!

[@leehewitt9559]

Fantastic Nick, great video very useful. Many thanks for this information.

[@anders4u222]

You can get the ESP32 to work about 10 times faster by using hardware SPI instead of the software SPI used here.

[@officermeowmeowfuzzyface4408]

I just got it working hardware mode, and it's awesome!

[@shadyengineer1988]

Consider voltage shifting circuit instead of using current limiting resistors.

[@andrewkieran8942]

Nick, I hope you're successful getting this touch display to work with an ESP32. I've got it working as a display or for touch input, but haven't been able to get touch input working while displaying data on the screen. It appears that the display and touch libraries don't work at the same time on the ESP32, even after configuring different D/C and CS connections. I see that someone has done this using the Espressif IDE, but I haven't found anyone doing this in the Arduino environment.

[@Educ8s]

Hello, Andrew! Thank you for sharing your experience. I hope I will succeed in making this display to work with the ESP32. I will keep you posted! Cheers!

[@reinerrosin]

Try this library with ESP32 (ESP8266 as well): github.com/Bodmer/TFT_eSPI The touch feature doesn't work good enough for a painting program, but for menu selection it's ok and it doesn't interfere with the display library

[@andrewkieran8942]

Thanks Reiner. I saw this but, for some reason, thought that it was for the Espressif IDE rather than Arduino. I will dig into this (after my big house move next week). Thanks again.

[@jwuethrich8385]

it works just fine for me. took a bit of work to get it going though. In the end i needed to transplant touch ic from screen i fucked soldering to new screen with bad touch ic. i have tied SCK to TCLK, DIN-MOSI and TDO to MISO with leads from through hole resistors..aka shared spi as spi is intended. use XPT2046_Touchscreen.h as your touch lib. my pins are as follows: #define TFT_DC 15 #define TFT_CS 5 #define TS_CS 0 #define TS_IRQ 2 whats not listed is using the hardware spi pins...which will be different depending on which specific board you are using. By the way that library is a drop in replacement for adas aka if you change the include you can use it in all the ada demos. you also have to remove the instantiation of the adats object and replace it with XPT2046_Touchscreen ts(TS_CS, TS_IRQ); but because they are the same object name (ts) and written with the same methods it works hope this helps.

[@shinevisionsv]

Awesome video as always!!

[@jirikaspar238]

C´mon 10k resistors are not a substitute for level shifter (or at least voltage divider)

[@freytube1]

it actually worked, 2.2k ohm and 5k to ground is too much wiring

[@dragonbot2038]

Were you able to get the touch functionality to work with ESP32? I really need that.. wondering if you got it to work? Thank you for your awesome content!

[@julianosantos4887]

I'm waiting for

[@namocrafts1101]

Thank u for the project I used the tft display to make the finger print for my garage opener I used ur example for the fingerprint and I made it thank u

[@namocrafts1101]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/np-VZKaHfcl7hq8

[@Educ8s]

Very cool! Thanks for sharing!

[@acatisfinetoo3018]

Hey...I just wired my display up exactly like the one in the video and ran the demo graphics test in arduino lde, but all I have is a white screen!

[@MichaelRemolif]

Have you overcome the problem? I have the same one...

[@PerchEagle]

So the resistors are in series? I thought you need voltage driver circuit which has 2 resistors and you take the voltage from the center.

[@BGLENN-dp4tx]

Is there a reason you choose to use this slower "software SPI" library function instead of the much faster hardware SPI features that is possible from this same Adafruit library? Thanks.

[@dryan8377]

because you can't use the flash ram card in that mode

[@akj7]

To use the Hardware SPI, just change the code // Adafruit_ILI9341 tft = Adafruit_ILI9341(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST, TFT_MISO); to Adafruit_ILI9341 tft = Adafruit_ILI9341(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST); everything else should remain the same. This will boost the speed of the images: My stats: Software SPI: Benchmark Time (microseconds) Screen fill 2380591 Text 114133 Lines 1067168 Horiz/Vert Lines 193317 Rectangles (outline) 122560 Rectangles (filled) 4809811 Circles (filled) 670893 Circles (outline) 465302 Triangles (outline) 244079 Triangles (filled) 1592172 Rounded rects (outline) 227808 Rounded rects (filled) 5364402 Hardware SPi: Benchmark Time (microseconds) Screen fill 195610 Text 23802 Lines 222266 Horiz/Vert Lines 17459 Rectangles (outline) 11498 Rectangles (filled) 406229 Circles (filled) 91149 Circles (outline) 97832 Triangles (outline) 49050 Triangles (filled) 151764 Rounded rects (outline) 36819

[@Adrian_Finn]

I just get a white screen when I make this change, any idea why?

[@idogendel]

I used such a display in a client's project, to make a nice user interface for his hardware. with some programming experience, you can do tricks and write your own routines to get faster, smoother graphics (see for example an old video of mine - look up "Ili9325 TFT LCD Optimization")

[@Educ8s]

Thank you, my friend. I will definitely take a look at it!

[@garycmartin]

You'll get a much faster screen redraw switching over to the better optimised drop in replacement MCUFRIEND library (replace #include "Adafruit_ILI9341.h" with #include and tweak the tft class init). Your Arduino UNO will then drive the screen at a similar speed as you're showing the ESP32 here, and the ESP32... even faster...

[@KrX3D]

could you explain more how to do that?

[@mellee3436]

Especially as the mcufriend driver is designed to drive the 16 bit digital pins on a shield.

[@jokoo111111]

I have been using this display for two years for my project. I have a problem in summer time when it heats up from the sun above 50 degrees celsius. The display turns white and nothing can be seen. When it cools down in the shade it works again. Could you please advise me what I can do in this case. Have you had this problem?Thank you in advance.

[@Vagubando]

On such a display, the image on the screen is inverted horizontally by 180 degrees (that is, the entire display screen) on ESP8266. I have tried many libraries, but there is no result. Advise me where to dig?????

[@Dancopymus]

Does the sketch 'ILI9341_RTC' work with ESP32? What is the configuration of the pins? Thanks

[@electron-1979]

Nice, but why didn't you use a voltage divider for level shifting? In-line resistors are for current limiting, but not adequate for level shifting, IMO

[@GRBtutorials]

The reason for doing level shifting is precisely to prevent excessive currents...

[@dirklaubusch5659]

Seriously ? The reason for level shifting is to prevent wrong VOLTAGE-Levels. The datasheet for the driver IC ILI9341V says: Logic_supply_Voltage: Vdd = !Max! 3.0 V

[@GRBtutorials]

Dirk Laubusch Then why is voltage limited? The reason why there’s a voltage limit in ICs is because the resistance of it would make excessive currents pass through it if a higher voltage is applied.

[@dirklaubusch5659]

OK, u should first get some basics in elektronics please , sry. 1st:) If u lower the operational voltage of any electrical device: u get HIGHER currents ! not lower Thats why all of your power consuming devices run with 230V or 110V or whatever, and not 5V or 9V from batterie. ( OHMs law: if u lower the Voltage: the current must go up ; aka R=U/I ) 2nd) In the computer/ mikrocontroller world there is a second reason why they change from old 5V Systems to 3,3V and even lower: Here its all about SPEED : See: Any diode, transistor, IC, .. whatever .. consists of pn-transitions, and that are capacitors ! If u want to load/unload capacitors u need time ( for a given current) . U must push the electrons into / or suck them of your transistors PN-transition. U want get faster ? -> ok, u must raise the current. OK, but now u have more power consumtion on the die, so it all heats up. THATS why u now must lower the Voltage ( Power = Voltage x Current ). ----------------------------------------- have a nice day , Dirk :)

[@GRBtutorials]

Dirk Laubusch 1. That makes no mathematical sense whatsoever. Ohm’s Law says that R = V/I, which means that at constant R, V and I are directly proportional. In other words, if V goes up, I must go up for compensating the effect of V. What you’re talking about is power, P = VI. In this case, yes, with constant P, V and I are inversely proportional, and if V goes up, I must go down to compensate. But ICs don’t draw constant power, they have (more or less) constant resistance (at a given clock rate). So my point is still valid. 2. Yes, that's true. However, the worst that could happen using just resistors is that it wouldn't work because of too long rise and/or fall time. And voltage dividers and level shifters also have resistance! So same problem.

[@surflaweb]

Hi dear, I would like to kwno what library did you used? I tested TFT_eSPI however doesnt work. thanks

[@fairpoor]

Very good comparison. So informative. :D

[@goosegoose3359]

Very good . You really helped me get my screen to work. Can you please advise how to calibrate this screen please?

[@michaelschroder7186]

great tutorial In the meantime, have you found a working touch library for the ESP32 card? I want to use the SPI-ILI9143 display in conjunction with an ESP32 board. However, I need the touch function

[@nikoskalousis3523]

Hello. TFT_eSPI library works great with ESP8266 and ESP32. Give it a try.

[@freytube1]

great video do you have a tutorial for a Simple GUI with this TFT and ili9341 driver ?

[@ghost-tfue0976]

I didn't understand if the esp 32 supports touch functionality with this display. Please help me, I'm going to buy a starter kit, an esp 32 and this display but I'm really unsecure and scared to buy the wrong and not compatible things

[@SuperJamesMA]

Thanks for sharing. The adafruit library supporting ESP32's hardware SPI, do not pass TFT_MOSI & TFT_CLK in the constructor: Adafruit_ILI9341 tft = Adafruit_ILI9341(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST); It could be much faster. BTW, how's your testing on the touch input?

[@fxbrapoio]

Use Arduino uno or nano and chage your code using adafruit libraries, it will be faster // For the Adafruit shield, these are the default. #define TFT_DC 9 #define TFT_CS 10 #define TFT_MOSI 11 #define TFT_CLK 13 #define TFT_RST 8 #define TFT_MISO 12 // Use hardware SPI (on Uno, #13, #12, #11) and the above for CS/DC //Adafruit_ILI9341 tft = Adafruit_ILI9341(TFT_CS, TFT_DC); // If using the breakout, change pins as desired //Adafruit_ILI9341 tft = Adafruit_ILI9341(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_MOSI, TFT_CLK, TFT_RST, TFT_MISO); Adafruit_ILI9341 tft = Adafruit_ILI9341(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);

[@benjaanimations5219]

how do i connect the red wires together in the schematic

[@melmarshall8176]

I would like to see a project for an Artificial Horizon using GY-9250 9-Axis Accelerometer, Gyro & Magnetometer MPU-9250

[@ivsrdt]

Thanks, I did this project successfully

[@jeffflowers5489]

Your pins in the diagram for the ESP32 show D15, D18, D19 and D23 but mine has D1 ~ D8.

[@harveyxing2329]

Hey, my tft lcd is wired up like yours, but displays a blank screen. The serial port prints the events as usual, but the display stays white. It works on a esp8266, but not a arduino uno/mega.

[@hsmptg]

Hi The touch feature in these LCDs only work with the pencil or I can use my fingers aswell? Thanks and keep the good work!

[@danielgago-sk]

Is working with finger too.

[@FernandoMoreiraR]

I have been trying to get my ILI9341 to work and failed multiple times, after 7 failed configurations, I had luck with yours! The only thing, which I dont get is that on my ESP32 setup I attached the LED pin not to the 3.3V but to pin 5 on my EPS32, and it works like a charm. But I dont know WHY it works, you got any insights? Once again thank you, I can finally move pass to the 2nd stage of my little project.

[@LuisSanzSantoni-yf8sf]

Thanks for your video. Have you got any example with raspberry pi pico?

[@diyaaldeen1097]

Can you make a tutorial on the 4.0/3.95 inch ST7796S SPI TFT.

[@mecatx]

A great video. but the page for coding is not working. Thank you.

[@maulanawahyudi7127]

when I use STM32F103C8 with the library, there is a message " Error compiling for board Generic STM32F1 series." , what should I do, sir?

[@billglass5160]

Using the touch screen for ESP32 requires the tft_espi library

[@jugnu361]

NO Aduino PLZ

[@Dancopymus]

Greetings I have a TFT LCD Touch Screen 3.2" SPI ILI9341 but, I can't calibrate the Touch Screen with the URTouch library. It arrives at the INSTRUCTIONS screen and, when I click with the pen, the screen doesn't continue. The TFT Display normally works with the UTFT library. I configure the pins on the Arduino Mega as follows: UTFT myGLCD (ILI9341_S5P, 51, 52, 10, 9, 8); // UTFT myGLCD (Model, SDI, SCK, CS, RST, DC); URTouch myTouch (6, 5, 4, 3, 2); // T_CLK, T_CS, T_DIN, T_DO, T_IRQ With all the pins connected via a CD4050BE. Would you have any tips, please? Thank you

[@raffaelebarlotti9017]

Hi, very interesting! I can't set the exact date and time, can you help me do it? Thank you.

[@sabrinaflipse7732]

can you explain what to do with the pins on the right? do they power the SD card? i have a microyum TFT but i want to make photo display and call my images up but i can't access my SD card and dont know what to do with those pins. thank u

[@bitfexl]

does not work

[@apriladrian2771]

sir, can i see a bit of your code with esp32 as a board that display to ILI9341 . i try it with my code can work but the display pile up when the data of the sensor change. thanks before

[@gaelimont9821]

Hello, I have an Adafruit LCD 2.8" TFT Touch Shield for Arduino and with your libraries I can display the different code, especially the Touch Demo, but the touch doesn't work. Can you help me please

[@neutron7]

You red looks a lot better than mine, It's sort of orange. is there some sort gamma setting for it?

[@haajee1]

i don't know what voltage shifting is and how to use it. But i connected directly to the arduino but get only a white screen. Why does everyone give not complete step by step tutorials... i think the display is now blow up?

[@analogorgler3048]

Hi, nice tutorial. I got the same display and it is working nicely with the Graphic test program. Unfortunately the tou´ch I do net get to work. How you managed to get the touch program working. I have reviewed the libaries but could not find the problem.

[@PP-yg6ll]

How to display sensor value on this screen (example A0)? On 1.8” display it’s easy with “TFTDisplayText” examples.

[@mukhritdinegamberdiev8469]

Could you pls make a sefie stick which can track you automatically and take a pictures as you say “shoot”

[@ianvangiesen2523]

Great tutorial. Effective communication within the arduino community is hard to find. Does anybody know of a tutorial like this for the ILI9225? I've been struggling for many hours and could use a couple of pointers. -Thanks

[@domeniconuzzi5684]

Great tutorial, thank you. Could you test it with an Arduino Yun?

[@IgorSwxy]

What about power consumption? Using this screen with battery is a good idea?

[@sampri22]

why don't you like the Nextion display? could you please elaborate on that?

[@Exo5432]

My screen works only if I run without ts.initialize(). If I try to use the touch with the ts, the whole screen goes white and does nothing.

[@moji5867]

HELP MEEEE..... I'm work on my project right now, which use this LCD...... I have problem with white screen..... I'm using arduino mega 2560

[@mexicanfirefighter]

do the 10k resistors also work with a 4" TFT?

[@orky2912]

Hi, sorry but I couldn't make it work because when I check the code, arduino said me "Adafruit_SPITFT.h: No such file or directory #include " and this library I can't found it. Do you have any solution to this problem?? Tks

[@spiritualveda7828]

Wonderful!!But can you please make a arduino display that can show us heart rate , pulse. Please 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@arduinoking1213]

Hi Nick! GREAT VIDEO !!! All the functions works really great but the touch screen function don't works... I have the same display as yours with the touch screen function so i think the problem is in the code. If you or someone can helpme I would be very thankful !!!

[@freytube1]

on his site it is the last schematics

[@freshskylight7852]

are touch pin need resistor too?

[@chithraniathapaththu5655]

I want to use sd card reader in the display and display image

[@konstantinosdamaskos4138]

Hello, the tft freezes after some hours. What can i do? I think i must be a stability issue. How i can reduse the noise on spi pins? Thanks in responce and congrats for tha amazing channel.

[@arysetiawan7309]

waiting for touch screen wiring

[@MeenaSingh-vd5ur]

A interface Display as given in Video but it's not working only white screen is there.

[@electron-1979]

Please explain why you don't like the Nextion displays

[@PCPointerDE]

I think you don't need the resistors. If you connect vcc to 3.3V too the Arduino Uno or nano can handle 3.3v shifting ... So 5v are not necessary I think Second a simple 8 CH level shifter would be easier ;)

[@androbot2000]

It's an Arduino Uno with 5V output into th 3.3V LCD input pins, so you need to have some "reducer". Only the other way round 3.3V external into the 5V Arduino input pins does not need a level shifter as the Arduino will recognise 3.3V as "high".

[@larrybud]

It's not the VCC which matters, it's the logic levels going to the 9341 which need to be 3.3

[@TheKungFuMiMa]

i have a problem with Arduinographicstest - my display stay white

[@kekahazra9769]

Sir I really like your explanation, but I have an earnest request to you to make a Arduino-camera and the pictures taken by the cameraby pressing a key connected to arduino and it will get automatically stored into the SD card connected to the Arduino.

[@mellee3436]

There are a number of projects like that use an esp32 cam board.

[@ahmedmansour1479]

how i read and write to sd 3.5"tft arduino mega sheild 2560

[@barot67]

hello...what type of esp 32 did you use?...thank you

[@mmaranta785]

How to get landscape fonts? As opposed to portrait mode

[@chithraniathapaththu5655]

Can't we display image?

[@toolzshed]

wow the ESP 32 is very fast

[@komal1090]

Can you please help me on clear screen when the user click on clear button.I am using 2.4'' TFT LCD shield.

[@GRBtutorials]

You know that "shield type" LCDs can be connected to other devices, don't you? It's just a bit more difficult, but it can be easily done.

[@TheDIYer]

I used 5v now what happens?

[@AntonioSantana]

Ineed to find a sketch to display a logo. I am using the esp32 pico. It can be Bitmap.

[@mirosarte7746]

why the text is reversed in my lcd?

[@alexle3598]

good day Sir! can you please make sketch simple menu control with 3 or 4 buttons for this display, thanks just trying to adapt your code from nokia 5110 display.. its working but blinking...