Introduction: Installing ESP8266 on Arduino IDE Manually (not Using Board Manager)
I was trying to install ESP8266 to Arduino IDE through the board manager, however received errors.
If it works for you, installation by board manager guides here:
Steps for this more direct installation on windows
- 1 Arduino IDE
- 2 Python 2.7.15
- 3 Create directories and place files from github
- 4 Installation of python tools from command line
< If using nodemcu 1.0 >
- 5 install Sillicon labs driver for nodemcu
Step 1: Install Arduino 1.8.5
From guides, the earliest version I saw used was 1.6.4.
I would recommend installing version 1.8.5 as it was the one I used in June 2018
Install link to Arduino IDE
or Google "download arduino ide 1.8.5" if link does not work
Step 2: Install Python 2.7.15
Download Python 2.7.15 for windows
Depending on whether your computer is 32-bit or 64-bit, download Windows x86 MSI installer (32 bit) or Windows x86-64 MSI installer (64 bit)
To find if your comp is 32 or 64 bit, follow this guide
Follow this guide to install python on Windows
Notes:
1 install for all users
2 at customisation screen - select add Python.exe to PATH
Step 3: Download ESP8266 Files to Arduino Directory
Create directory
Find installation directory of Arduino on your computer.
For mine, it was C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\
Go to Arduino directory\hardware , create a folder "esp9288com" , enter and create another folder "esp8266"
If done correctly there would be a directory as follows: C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\esp8266com\esp8266
Download all files in zip at "clone or download" button
Unzip file, enter Arduino-master/Arduino-master/
Copy these files into Arduino\hardware\esp8266com\esp8266 directory.
If done correctly, files in directory will look like the reference picture above.
Installation by git is easier, however you will need git installed on your computer.
Step 4: Install Python Tools for Compiling
Enter command line of windows.
Guide to get to command line of different windows versions.
Find your directory of Arduino. As my Arduino directory was C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\esp8266com\esp8266\tools
Type and Enter: cd C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\esp8266com\esp8266\tools
Type and Enter: python get.py
Watch the files being downloaded and installed.
If done correctly would look something as the reference picture above.
If there is an error on python, it is likely python path was not installed at the earlier step.
Step 5: If Using Nodemcu 1.0, Install Usb Drivers
Step 6:
Open Arduino IDE.
If Step 3 was done correctly, ESP boards will show at Tools -> Boards
If Step 4 was done correctly, example code at Files -> Examples -> ESP8266 -> Blink will compile without errors
All done! Hope this guide was helpful :)
