ESP8266 Hardware Setup
What You'll Need
- An ESP8266 development board (e.g. NodeMCU 1.0, Wemos D1 Mini, ESP-01 with a programmer)
- A USB cable with data lines (Micro-USB depending on the board)
- A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux
Install USB Drivers
Most ESP8266 boards use one of these USB-to-serial chips. Install the matching driver if your board isn't detected:
- CH340 / CH340G (common on NodeMCU and Wemos D1 Mini clones): CH340 driver download
- CP2102 (Silicon Labs, on some NodeMCU v3 boards): CP210x driver download
💡 Tip: Check the chip printed on your board near the USB connector to know which driver you need. After installing, restart your computer.
Troubleshooting
- Port doesn't show up — install the correct USB driver above and try a different USB cable.
- macOS shows "extension blocked" — go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, allow the driver, and restart.
Next: Install the Software
Once your board is connected and drivers are installed, head to the Software Setup guide to install the Arduino IDE and the ESP8266 board package.
➡️ Continue to Software / IDE Setup
