🔰 Introduction

In this lesson, we will set up all the software tools required to program the ESP32 board and test it with a simple LED blink program.

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

• Install Arduino IDE

• Add ESP32 board support

• Install USB drivers

• Connect ESP32 to your computer

• Upload a basic program

• Fix common errors

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PART 1 – Installing Arduino IDE

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Step 1: Download Arduino IDE

1. Open a web browser (Chrome / Edge / Firefox)

2. Search for:
   Arduino IDE download

3. Open the official Arduino website

4. Download:

   • Windows Installer (for Windows)

   • macOS version (for Mac)

   • Linux version (for Linux)

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Step 2: Install Arduino IDE (Windows)

1. Open the downloaded .exe file

2. Click I Agree

3. Keep all default options checked

4. Click Next → Install

5. Wait for installation to finish

6. Click Finish

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Step 3: Open Arduino IDE

1. Click Start Menu

2. Search for: Arduino

3. Open Arduino IDE

You should now see a coding window.

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PART 2 – Adding ESP32 Board Support

Arduino IDE does not support ESP32 by default.
We must add ESP32 manually.

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Step 4: Open Preferences

1. In Arduino IDE:

   • Go to File → Preferences

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Step 5: Add ESP32 Board URL

1. In the field:
   Additional Boards Manager URLs

2. Paste this URL:

3. Click OK

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Step 6: Install ESP32 Board Package

1. Go to: Tools → Board → Boards Manager

2. In search box type:
   esp32

3. Select: esp32 by Espressif Systems

4. Click Install

5. Wait until installation completes

6. Close Boards Manager

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PART 3 – Installing USB Driver (VERY IMPORTANT)

Most ESP32 boards use either:

• CP2102

• CH340

• CH9102

Without driver → ESP32 will NOT be detected.

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Step 7: Connect ESP32 to PC

1. Use a good quality USB cable

2. Connect ESP32 to your computer

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Step 8: Check if Port Appears

1. In Arduino IDE:

   • Go to Tools → Port

If you see:

• COM3 / COM4 / COM5 etc. → GOOD

• Greyed out / No port → Driver missing

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Step 9: Install USB Driver (If Port Not Showing)

Search on Google:

• CP2102 USB driver

• OR

• CH340 USB driver

Download and install.

Restart PC after installation.

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PART 4 – Selecting Board and Port

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Step 10: Select ESP32 Board

1. Go to: Tools → Board

2. Select:
   ESP32 Dev Module
   OR
   DOIT ESP32 DEVKIT V1
   (Try either if one fails)

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Step 11: Select COM Port

1. Go to: Tools → Port

2. Select the COM port that appeared

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PART 5 – Uploading First Program (Blink Test)

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Step 12: Open Blink Example

1. Go to: File → Examples → 01.Basics → Blink

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Step 13: Modify LED Pin for ESP32

Default Blink uses pin 13 (for Arduino UNO).
ESP32 uses pin 2 (built-in LED).

Replace:

With:

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Step 14: Upload Code

1. Click Upload (→)

2. Wait for compiling

3. Wait for uploading

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Step 15: If Upload Stuck / Failed

When uploading, if it says:

Then:

1. Press and hold BOOT button on ESP32

2. While holding BOOT → Click Upload

3. Release BOOT when upload starts

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PART 6 – Testing Output

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Step 16: Observe LED

If setup is correct:

• Blue LED on ESP32 will blink

• ON for 1 second

• OFF for 1 second

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PART 7 – Common Errors & Fixes

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❌ Error 1: “No COM Port Found”

Cause:

• USB driver not installed

• Faulty cable

Fix:

• Install CP2102 / CH340 driver

• Change USB cable

• Change USB port

• Restart PC

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❌ Error 2: “Board Not Found”

Cause:

• Wrong board selected

• ESP32 package not installed

Fix:

• Select correct ESP32 board

• Reinstall ESP32 board package

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❌ Error 3: “Timed out waiting for packet header”

Cause:

• ESP32 not in boot mode

Fix:

• Hold BOOT button during upload

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❌ Error 4: “Permission Denied / Access is denied”

Cause:

• COM port busy

• Another software using port

Fix:

• Close Serial Monitor

• Close other Arduino IDE windows

• Restart IDE

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❌ Error 5: “Sketch too big”

Cause:

• Wrong partition scheme

Fix:

• Tools → Partition Scheme

• Select: Default / Huge App

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PART 8 – Final Checklist

✔ Arduino IDE installed
✔ ESP32 board package installed
✔ USB driver installed
✔ Board selected
✔ Port selected
✔ Blink code uploaded
✔ LED blinking