ESP8266 Community Forum

OK, installing the Arduino IDE and connecting to an ESP8266 module can't be this hard LOL

I am trying to connect and program a HiLetgo ESP8266 NodeMCU CP2102 ESP-12E Internet WiFi Development Board Open Source Serial Wireless Module.

I have installed the IDE, added the URL for the 8266 boards, selected and installed them for the board manager. I have selected my board (NodeMCU 1.0 (ESP-12E Module). All of that is fine. However, I absolutely cannot get it to find the port.

I am running Linux (but I've also tried on Mac OSX with the same results). I've even tried with sudo to make sure it was not auth issue. I have tried 5 different micro USB cables. I have tried several different ESP modules.

So, is there perhaps a special "programming" (i.e. not charging) cable that is required?? Or have I perhaps misread the instructions - is an FTDI programmer required? The docs I've seen seem to indicate that is not needed with this module. ("Built-in Micro-USB, with flash and reset switches, easy to program...direct download no need to reset...Arduino compatible, works great with the latest Arduino IDE/Mongoose IoT/Micropython")

Can someone perhaps shed some light on what else to check?? Thanks!

hay I have the same problem, did you find a solution?
thx

+ bump

I have tried multiple cables and drivers and still cannot connect to to it.

I am using a mac running high seirra.

I tried now from a newer model Mac with Catalina installed and it worked out of the box without any special drivers installed.