Programming ESP-12E / ESP-12F / NodeMCU With Arduino IDE | Step by Step Guide

In this video, I will explain how to prepare your Arduino IDE to upload sketches into the ESP8266 microcontroller and connect to an ESP-12E / ESP-12F board over USB.

Pictures and diagrams:

Add the following URL to the "Additional Boards Manager URLs":

If your USB-to-serial adapter has a CH340 USB-to-serial chip on it, you may need to download and install the CH340 drivers for your operating system:

Programming the ESP8266 chip over Wi-Fi:

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Timecodes:
00:00 Intro
00:52 Perparint Arduino IDE
01:39 Difference between ESP-12E and ESP-12F
01:51 Arduino code
02:10 NodeMCU
02:45 Programming options for ESP-12E/ESP-12F
03:05 Dedicated programmer board
04:02 Adapter board for ESP-12E/ESP-12F
04:24 Using NodeMCU to program a plain ESP-12E/ESP-12F
06:35 Using a dedicated USB-to-serial adapter
10:46 Using a Witty Cloud Development Board
13:45 Intro to Wi-Fi

Music from Youtube audio library.
Corbyn Kites - Shadowing

[Darkos.]

I spent a few hours looking for a way to program the ESP 12E. And you showed everything. It was very useful. Thank you.

[hemmaproffs]

Thanks a lot! Spent 2 hours trying to program the ESP 12 before finding this video!

[Coenie-jepn]

I like the vibe of this video, like the music too. It all fits. Great job!

[iotforlife]

After soldering two ESP12F into my PCB, all of them did not flash with my Arduino IDE. I don't know the problem, but the 3.3Vdc is good. Since watching this video, now I know that I have to use the programmer board first before soldering those ESP12F if they do work or not. Thanks for this video. Learning everyday.

[robertlongoria]

You know your stuff and take it to the next level. Thank you for your sharing I hope it is worth your time.

[Seravinod]

thank you so much i had a success full movement i have ever done i am coding at first time in arduino ide i was struggling to code i am 13 years old

[GiangLun]

6:17 Thank you for sharing and I did it successfully on my Esp-12e ❤❤❤❤❤

[kevinhorstmann]

didnt understand a thing about the ESP8266, now i understand more and am finally able to programm it. thank you!

[bemcpnc]

SUPER!!! хотел уже выбрасывать но благодаря твоему видео ((английский не знаю )) в котором все четко показано , ,,ESP-12E, ,, заработал! буду еще пробовать, ,ESP-32, , БОЛЬШОЕ СПАСИБО!!!

[klausnielsen]

Most interesting. I'm really looking forward to your video regarding uploading via WIFI !!!

[KashifSMalik]

Very useful and to-the-point. Thanks for the voltage regulator hack used for witty cloud dev board. I was scratching my head over this sometime back :-)

[aarriikknnll]

Thanks! I thought i messed up ordering standalones, as i didn't find up much info to program them standalone. I luckily ordered some esp8622 nodemcu boards aswell, so i can now make my projects even smaller 😊 thanks dude

[miker]

Great video - thanks. Lots of detail that I was struggling with that's now clear.

[leonponce]

Thank you so much. The CH341 tip saved me big time!

[SpinStar]

Great 😊 Video and well explained! SUBSCRIBED!
I accidentally purchased the bare 12E modules which I thought was a mistake but may be an advantage for size when embedding on my own custom PCB. Anyway, your video should enable me to use these now. Thank You!

[patrickdelvisohopkins]

Great video! You saved me from giving up on de ESP-12F. Many thanks for your great work :D

[carstenkrueger]

Perfect video. Thanks for the very clear explanations!

[jemanuel]

Great video. It helped me with some problems I was having to solve. I wish I had found your video sooner. Thanks!

[haydenfollis]

bro I love thank you omg been working on figuring this out for hours

[TintinPY]

Thank you!! Very useful information! 👏🏽