Easy ESP32 Waveshare ePaper Display Tutorial

Here's how to get Waveshare ePaper displays working with the ESP32 microcontroller and 4 line SPI. I specifically cover the 480x280 pixels 3.7 inch e-Paper HAT and the 296x128 pixels 2.9 inch e-Paper module. I also demonstrate the 212x104 pixel 2.13 inch flexible module but I've not been able to get that one working yet.

00:00 - Introduction
00:17 - Screen identification
01:08 - Selecting a graphics library
02:05 - Pinout diagram (ESP32)
02:43 - Example Sketch
04:58 - Pinout for ESP8266
06:04 - Uploading the Sketch

If you're new to microcontroller displays then the ePaper displays are very similar to Amazon Kindle displays. The neat thing about them is they retain their last display even when the power is turned off. The drawback is that they have a very slow screen refresh, so they're not suitable for fast moving displays like miniature games or animations.

Once you get one display working it's normally straightforward to get another Waveshare or Good Display screen working because the Waveshare displays generally have the same connector. You should be able to use the same pinout too.

There are many different ePaper graphics libraries available in the Arduino IDE. The only one I got working is the GxEPD2 library. I recommend you try this one.

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[BlackenBurg]

Great video, information presented so clearly, and you present a guide how to avoid all the pot-holes you stepped in to get the result we all want! subscribed!

[Regulatorrobb]

Thank you kind sir. This should be the first video Youtube shows when searching for epaper tuts.

[thomasl.]

Thanks. But I get an error:
error: 'display' was not declared in this scope; did you mean 'delay'?
In the "Hello World" example a variable "display" is used first in line 48 (see 3:10 in video), but not declared. What is the problem in my case? A missing library? But I followed your instructions step by step...

[secret]

Thanks :3 this was a great help, can you maybe do a video of partial updates on the screen? So that it doesn't reset itself all the time?

[SaddamHussain-lnei]

your videos are very unique and for sure helpful with every detail, and I wonder if you can help me a query here, can we use e-ink display as primary display connected via SPI interface, I was told that BIOS configuration needs to be changed to do so, do you have any video on how to do it all.. or can you at least point me in right direction :)

[christianbreuer]

Hi Brett, I fully agree with Robb. This is the most useful video on the subject I could find! Thanks a lot! You saved my day! 🙂 Have you ever tried the same using Micropython on the ESP32? Kind regards, Christian

[seveibar]

Hey Brett, what kind of connector/cable can be plugged into the 2.9in model (I think it's also on the 3.7in model), it looks like a 0.1in header but I'm not sure

[MyBroadhurst]

anyone know the pin mapping for esp8266?

[jolttsp]

Bless you sir. I would add a note, and maybe you said it and i missed it. There might be multiple that match yours (eg 420 400x300), dont be disheartened if it doesnt work, just go down the list. 2 of the 5 worked for me for whatever reason lol

[davidmack]

Watch Brett's video first and save yourself hours of time trying to figure out how to get your Waveshare e-Paper display up and running with an ESP32 board. Thank you!