Get Started With A D1 Mini (ESP8266) In Under 5 Minutes!

This is the quickest guide on youtube to get started with the Wemos D1 Mini, the Lolin D1 Mini, any kind of Chinese clone of those or a generic ESP8266!

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First download and install the Arduino IDE:

Then download extract and install the CH340 Drivers:

Then open the IDE, go to File - Preferences and under the box marked "Additional Board Manager URLs" paste the .json link found here:

Then in the IDE, go to Tools - Boards - Board Manager, search for "ESP8266" and install the boards

And that's it! you are off to the races!

Thanks for watching!

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[AnotherMaker]

Great tutorial. These things are fantastic for little wifi-enabled widgets. I use them a lot as network to IR or RF blasters to control devices that already have built in IR/RF. Also for wifi-enabled buttons.

[peteygnyc]

Thank you SO MUCH! This video is the best I have found in detailing and explaining how to get started with these. Turns out, I was using a bad MiniUSB cable. Very good tutorial. Great work!

[DaPanda]

Just got super interested in the esp8266 and ordered some d1 mini's (x5) they show up tomorrow and I can't wait!!!

[charlielowell]

Thanks for the "just the facts" basic tutorial. I've used Aduinos for quite a few years and I've used (years ago) the 8266 as a wifi module for the Arduino. I have up until now not attempted to use the 8266 as a stand alone. I've spent the last several hours watching other videos and Instructables trying to figure out how if I was actually connected to, much less able to write to one. Thanks to you I uploaded the blink sketch to mine! Heck, I didn't even know this thing HAD an LED. Thanks again!!!

[ChrisScottsy]

Fantastic, as simple as you showed. We're going to run a workshop with high school students building an IOT light switch using the ESP8266. Thank you!

[diazaccesscontrols]

Love it it works. You are a genius. I been trying this for 3 days and I just found out that my USB cable was bad.

[DennisMurphey]

We use the Wemos for model train control. We have one in the engine and a second is a handheld controller. We found the base code at Thingiverse from a fellow in Sweden that build a 3D Printed train for his kids. We are installing out kit into a 1950 American Flyer Steam engine and it is nearly done. Amazing to use WiFi to run our 1950 Train, and a OLED in the handheld, and a PWM driver to run the DC converted motor in the steam engine. And I had three I/O left. I want to add some voices and Steam Whistle Sound. We already have the light, forward, reverse, speed and stop. The Little board is great and very cost effective. Commercial train controllers can run $150 to $450. And they are locked up with proprietary code.

[ih]

I've had this thing for a while now and now I know how to use it so thanks😁

[justin_baker]

Great tutorial. Easy to follow. Thanks for spending the time to put this together and make it so clear and simple.

[tohcp]

Essential and sharp to the point .Great learning information..thanks

[LethiuxX]

This was a great introduction video! Thanks!

[ilikedeathmetal]

All Blinked and ready to go! Thanks so much for your help!

[MrVatierra]

I am infinitely grateful, your video helped me too much. thank you very much bro.

[younessid]

so easy so simple, a lot of thanks sir ☺️

[zielonakosa]

PERFECT! this is first video which help me to flash my board. Thank you very much :)

[aviaryan]

thanks a lot for such a fantastic and to the point tutorial ☺👍👍

[slabs]

Thank you. I have been using NodeMCUs but I was not positive how to set up a Mini D1.

[pileofstuff]

I agree with you on the IDE.
It's a "just works" tool designed for beginners to easily use.

I know it's not the most advanced and is limited compared to the more "professional" stuff out there, but in the 3+ years I have been tinkering with various micro-controller boards, I haven't been limited by it.

[lonpowley]

Thank you so much. I'll be using mine to monitor a greenhouse.

[danjunk-DIY]

Oh My God ! At last I found your video to solve my problems in installing this Wemos D1 UNO board. In fact, earlier I was using Arduino IDE 1.8.18. I tried same procedures to add ESP8266 board. For some reasons still not clear to me, I could not do it. Tried all other versions of Arduino IDEs ....up to 1.8.5 etc. I just purchased the board today from Amazon. All other versions of Arduino IDES s were throwing errors. Having fed up I decided to return the board. First I took break and tried one last time, where in I stumbled on your very nicely narrated video. I installed to Arduino IDE version 1.8.12 afresh, as you suggested. Yes Sir, it worked. I programmed the ESP8266 Blinker successfully. Thanks a lot.