This tutorial will show you how to load ESP Easy firmware onto your ESP8266-12E. The NodeMCU Dev Board uses the ESP8266-12E; it is the board we sell and support, though there are many different legacy boards available. You can find a wealth of information at ESP8266 Main Page.
There are two ways to upload ESP Easy firmware onto your ESP8266: Arduino IDE and Flash tool.
Arduino IDE
- Download the appropriate software. This is the executive summary; a more detailed version of this can be found here
- Install the version 1.6.5 Arduino IDE
- Run Arduino.exe, select Preferences, and add http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json to the Additional Boards Manager
- Go to Tools|Boards Manager and find ESP8266. Install this board.
- Download ESP Easy
- Connect your ESP8266 to your computer with a micro USB cable
- Go to Device Manager|Ports and take note of what COM port the ESP8266 uses
- Run Arduino IDE, naviage to the ESP Easy folder, and open ESPEasy.ino
- Go to Tools|Boards and select NodeMCU that corresponds to your ESP8266 board (likely ESP-12E)
- Go to Tools|Port and select the COM port noted in step 3
- While depressing the Flash button, depress the Reset button and then release the Flash button
- Click Sketch|Upload (or Ctrl+u) to flash the ESP8266
Flash tool
- Download ESPEasy Version 78, which comes with three different size .bin files, the flashing tool, and a .cmd file
- Connect your ESP8266 to your computer with a micro USB cable
- Go to Device Manager|Ports and take note of what COM port the ESP8266 uses
- Run flash.cmd. You will be prompted for:
- Hit the reset button on your ESP8266
Flash Tool Prompt | You should enter |
---|---|
Comport (example 3, 4, ..) : | Enter the COM port noted in step 3 |
Flash Size (example 512, 1024, 4096) : | Enter 4096 |
Build (example 71, 72, ..) : | Enter the version you’ve downloaded |
Press any key to continue . . . | Press any key |
Your board should now have the latest version of ESP Easy installed. I love these ESP8266.nu guys!