How to Setup Node MCU for IOT (ESP8266 Board) (2024)

Introduction: How to Setup Node MCU for IOT (ESP8266 Board)

By MissionCriticalCheck out my Youtube Channel!

Step 1: Watch the Video

also for my Indian Fans, here is a Hindi Version of same video

Step 2: Understand the Board

Node MCU is basically, an Open SourceIOT (i.e. Internet of Things) device, which is similar to Arduino, and can be coded using an Arduino IDE, but it’s not Arduino, not even close to it, as Arduino is all about Hardware power, and Node MCU is more like Software power, Arduino has more IO ports and Better Compatibility all over, on the other hand, Node MCU has better RAM and Storage, and it has inbuilt WIFI module. So that’s a little Overview of our Board

Step 3: Check for USB Communication Chip

Since there are two Versions of NODE MCU, check for the USB interface that your Board has, in my case, I am using the AMICA Board, which has CP2102 USB interface IC, other option that is available is CH340/CH341 USB interface ic, you can find both the Drivers files attached in this step

Attachments

Step 4: Install Esp8266 Board on Arduino IDE

Once installed,

you can open your Arduino IDE
Go to preferences of your IDE
in the Additional Board URL, paste http://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json Link
under board manager, search for ESP8266 Board and install it.

Step 5: Solve Package Download Error (OPTIONAL)

Now, here is a Problem that I faced while installing the board, saying "Error Downloading the Board Data" even you might face it, so now in this case,

you can solve this error by following the steps

first of all open Your Folder where Arduino IDE is installed on your Computer
open your ARDUINO data Folder
Delete the Package index temporary file named "package_index.json.tmp"
restart your IDE.

Step 6: Solve Error Using Command Prompt (OPTIONAL)

if the previous step doesn't fix your problem, follow these steps.

open Command Prompt on your System.
paste “setx _JAVA_OPTIONS -Djava.net.preferIPv4Stack=true “ on your Command Prompt
Press Enter
restart your IDE

Step 7: Setup the NODE MCU

Once you have installed the Board to your IDE successfully, following the steps

simply plug your NODE MCU to System
open your Examples and under the ESP8266, open the blink code,
select the board to be Node MCU 12E
it will automatically select the Presets required for this board
leave everything intact
upload the code

Step 8: Recap

Since this Process and setup is quite complicated, let’s summarize it.

Step 1: Download the Drivers according to your USB communication Chip.

Step 2: Paste the URL in Preference and download the ESP8266 Board.

Step 3: in case of Error, Delete the Temporary File and Paste the Command in Command Prompt.

Step 4:Select the Proper Board and Upload the Blink Sketch Code.