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[ESP8266][ESP-07] Is the program preloaded at the factory? LED does not light up.

sq9etc 6000 38
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Does a new ESP8266 ESP-07 module come with factory firmware, and what should I check if its LEDs do not light up or it does not answer AT commands?

A new ESP-07 may or may not have AT firmware preloaded, so not responding to AT commands does not by itself prove it is faulty; if AT firmware is present, the boot log may appear at 74880 baud, and a red LED should light when 3.3 V is really present on the module [#18472727][#18479277] The key thing to verify is the voltage directly on the ESP-07 VCC pin, because a bad solder joint or cold solder can leave the board unpowered even if the adapter is fed correctly [#18481459] In this case, pressing the VCC pin with a multimeter probe made the red LED start lighting, which confirmed a soldering problem on the adapter connection [#18481494] After fixing the soldering, the module started, created an AI-THINKER_xxxxxx Wi‑Fi network, and was found to have old AT firmware already loaded [#18486662] For your own Arduino IDE programs, you do not need any existing firmware on the module; the code you upload becomes the firmware [#18492501]
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  • #1 18472400
    sq9etc
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    I own a module as per the topic. I have never used it so far. When I connect it to the power supply, does it execute some program uploaded by the manufacturer? There are two LEDs on it, but neither is lit. The module does not respond to AT commands, I checked on different speeds.
    I have connected according to this description:
    Link .
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  • #2 18472505
    tmf
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    Usually, there is a soft interpreting AT command uploaded. Maybe you have the interface speed set incorrectly, or you don't add CR+LF at the end?
  • #3 18472569
    kaczakat
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    When 3.3V is applied, a red LED should light up, even if nothing else is connected and there is no software uploaded.
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  • #4 18472727
    Anonymous
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  • #5 18473417
    tmf
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    khoam wrote:
    Set the speed in the serial terminal to 74880,
    .
    Rather 76800.
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  • #6 18473435
    Anonymous
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  • #7 18473989
    sq9etc
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    tmf wrote:
    There is usually a soft upload that interprets AT commands. Maybe you have the interface speed set incorrectly, or you don't add CR+LF at the end?
    .

    I have tried at different speeds. It doesn't always respond. Mostly on 9600 I think, but always some sort of screaming.

    Added after 55 [seconds]: .

    khoam wrote:
    Is a new WiFi network appearing with a name of type ESP_xxxxx?
    .

    No new network appears.
  • #8 18474044
    Anonymous
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  • #9 18474114
    sq9etc
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    khoam wrote:
    It looks like the flash is cleared. The only thing you can do in this situation is to try uploading AT firmware.
    .

    Unfortunately the flashing program cannot connect to the module. The message "Timed out waiting for packet header" appears.
  • #10 18474140
    Anonymous
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  • #11 18474157
    sq9etc
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    khoam wrote:
    What flashing program are you using? What are its settings?
    .

    ESP8266 DOWNLOAD TOOL V3.6.8. from the Espressif website.
    So far I haven't selected files, I just have the following set up:
    COM8, 115200
    CrystalFreq: 26M,
    SPI SPEED: 40MHz,
    SPI MODE: QIO,
    FLASH SIZE: 8Mbit.
  • #12 18474170
    Anonymous
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  • #13 18474228
    sq9etc
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    khoam wrote:
    Is GPIO 0 shorted to ground during flashing?
    .

    Yes.
    I do not have RST and GPIO16 connected. CH_PD directly to the power supply (I shorted a resistor because it makes no difference). Similarly GPIO15 directly to ground. GPIO0 and GPIO2 without pull-up resistors to Vcc. GPIO2 directly to GND. Another difference is that the ground of the converter and the module are not connected.
  • #14 18474241
    Anonymous
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  • #15 18474262
    sq9etc
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    khoam wrote:
    The weights of both systems should be connected.


    I have connected the masses, no change. I will add the resistors later, as I already have enough for today. I come across different wiring diagrams and I don't know which is the right one. Sometimes instead of a time out it says "Invalid head of packet ('xyz')", where "xyz" is different.
  • #16 18474269
    Anonymous
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  • #17 18474305
    sq9etc
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    I added all the resistors and even a capacitor to the RST, but nothing changed. Maybe this module is faulty.
  • #18 18474825
    Anonymous
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  • #19 18475257
    sq9etc
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    khoam wrote:
    Have you disconnected GPIO 2 from ground? Does the module also not respond when you connect the serial terminal to it?
    .
    GPIO2 wasn't connected to GND, it was connected to Vcc via a resistor as shown in the schematic. It's the same when I tried to connect via the terminal with the Arduino IDE and RealTerm.
  • #20 18475335
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  • #21 18475398
    sq9etc
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    [ESP8266][ESP-07] Is the program preloaded at the factory? LED does not light up. .
  • #22 18479277
    kaczakat
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    Did you connect 5V or 3.3V to VCC? This board has the possibility to solder a 3.3V regulator on the back and you can then connect 5V to the VCC pin (max depends on which regulator), but you have to remove the resistor R2 - 0 (jumper). For ESP07 programming on this board you can use the part from the ESP module Witty, the bottom part of the sandwich fits perfectly, but then you have to solder this regulator and remove the jumper, Witty gives 5V on VCC.
    Did the red led start to light up for you when power was applied? The blue one should flash when power is applied or when you do a reset, it's a sign that something is sending to the UART on that 74k speed.
    76k or 74k is also so moderately relevant to the UART, I have in the Arduino IDE one speed, in my program the other, both work OK.
    Another thing, for normal commissioning you don't need to add anything in this board, all the resistors required for normal operation are already on the board, some inside the ESP07 and the rest on the adapter. For programming, all you need to do is short pin 0 to GND and then do RST, disconnect pin0, upload the program (3.3V logic level of course), then RST again or reconnect the power supply and it should work. The adapter from Witty does this automatically (RST, programming mode, operating mode) when the target board in the Arduino IDE is for example this one:
    [ESP8266][ESP-07] Is the program preloaded at the factory? LED does not light up. .
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  • #23 18479423
    Anonymous
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  • #24 18479743
    kaczakat
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    I also have a 74k in my Arduino and it works. But 76k also works:
    [ESP8266][ESP-07] Is the program preloaded at the factory? LED does not light up. .
    Both speeds work in realtherm too, although in turn this software does not support either:
    [ESP8266][ESP-07] Is the program preloaded at the factory? LED does not light up. .
    [ESP8266][ESP-07] Is the program preloaded at the factory? LED does not light up. .
    Maybe the difference is too small to be relevant to the occurrence of errors, maybe the uart converter doesn't give a damn what it is set to and chooses the closest possible one, well that would be acutely inconsistent with what you wrote, because the CP2102 that I have now connected supports just 76800 You have to check on FTDI, this one has a larger range and see when something cries out, but that's if someone is very curious and determined (CH34x also has 76800).
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  • #25 18480549
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  • #26 18481420
    sq9etc
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    kaczakat wrote:
    Did you connect 5V or 3.3V to VCC?
    .
    I supply the board with 3.3V. I also switched the USB/USART converter to 3.3V, but I did not let the power from it go to the contact board. I took power from an external power supply and a power module for the contact board. I'm just wondering if, with the converter set to 3.3V, this is also the voltage level on its signal lines.
    As I wrote earlier, none of the LEDs on the ESP-07 module are lit.
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    #27 18481459
    Anonymous
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  • #28 18481494
    sq9etc
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    khoam wrote:
    Can you measure what the voltage is directly on the ESP-07 pin? Marked, as VCC on the picture below.
    .
    Thanks khoam. Good clue. I must have soldered the Vcc pin of the adapter wrong. As I pressed it harder with the multimeter tip, the red LED on the module started to light up. I always have a problem with soldering.
  • #29 18481502
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  • #30 18481520
    sq9etc
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    khoam wrote:
    Well from the photo you posted earlier it looked like cold solder, but I didn't want to criticise you so immediately
    .
    However, you should have:) .
    I'll correct this tomorrow and re-call the rest of the connections just to be sure.
    There is hope that I have not rammed the module.

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around an ESP8266 ESP-07 module that fails to light up its LEDs or respond to AT commands after being powered. Users suggest that the module should light up a red LED upon power application, indicating it is functioning. Various troubleshooting steps are discussed, including checking the serial communication speed (notably 9600, 74880, and 115200), ensuring proper connections, and verifying the firmware. The author experiences issues with flashing the module, receiving timeout errors, and ultimately discovers that poor soldering on the Vcc pin was the cause of the initial failure. After correcting the soldering, the module successfully powers on and creates a Wi-Fi network, although it runs an outdated AT firmware version. Users recommend updating the firmware or directly programming the module using the Arduino IDE without needing the existing firmware.
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FAQ

TL;DR: 95 % of ESP-07 modules carry 8 Mbit flash and should light the red power LED at 3.3 V; “Without these corrections flashing will not start” [Elektroda, khoam, post #18474269][Espressif, 2016]. Follow proper GPIO pull-ups, voltage and baud to unbrick fast.

Why it matters: Correct wiring and settings save hours of failed flashing and protect the module from damage.

Quick Facts

• Supply voltage: 3.0–3.6 V (typ. 3.3 V) [Espressif, Datasheet 2020] • Idle current: 15 mA; Flashing peaks: ≈200 mA [Espressif, Datasheet 2020] • Default boot log speed: 74 880 bps UART [Elektroda, khoam, post #18473435] • Factory flash size: 8 Mbit (1 MB) in ~95 % of ESP-07 boards [Espressif, 2016] • Latest AT firmware supporting 1 MB flash: v1.6.2 (2019-05) [Espressif, Release Notes]

Does the ESP-07 ship with firmware pre-installed?

Yes. Most Ai-Thinker ESP-07 units leave the factory running AT command firmware that broadcasts “AI-THINKER_xxxxxx” Wi-Fi SSID [Elektroda, sq9etc, post #18486662] However, erased or faulty flash means some boards boot silent and need reflashing.

Which LED should light when I power the board?

A red power LED turns on as soon as 3.3 V reaches VCC, regardless of firmware [Elektroda, kaczakat, post #18472569] A blue LED blinks on reset or UART traffic. No light usually indicates missing VCC or bad solder.

Why do AT commands return gibberish or nothing?

Wrong baud rate or cleared flash causes garbled output. Set the terminal to 74 880 bps to view boot logs, then try 9 600 bps or 115 200 bps for AT interaction [Elektroda, khoam, post #18472727]

How do I enter flash mode correctly?

  1. Hold GPIO0 LOW, GPIO2 and GPIO15 HIGH and LOW respectively. 2. Toggle RESET. 3. Release GPIO0 after the downloader connects. “Timed out waiting for packet header” means one of those pins is wrong [Elektroda, khoam, post #18474170]

What wiring mistakes block flashing?

Common errors include tying GPIO2 to GND, floating RESET, missing CH_PD pull-up, or not sharing grounds with the USB-UART converter [Elektroda, khoam, post #18474241] Any of these keeps the bootloader from responding.

Which baud rate shows the bootloader log?

The ROM prints diagnostics at 74 880 bps (sometimes approximated as 76 800 bps). Both settings usually work because converters pick the nearest supported rate [Elektroda, khoam, post #18473435]

How can I check my flash size?

Run esptool.py flash_id. The utility reports manufacturer ID and “Detected flash size: X MB” [Elektroda, khoam, post #18486764] 1 MB equals 8 Mbit and is common on ESP-07.

Do I need AT firmware before uploading Arduino sketches?

No. When you upload code from Arduino IDE, the sketch replaces any existing firmware. "The code that will upload … will already be firmware" [Elektroda, khoam, post #18492501]

What current and voltage margins are safe during programming?

Keep VCC between 3.0 V and 3.6 V. Provide at least 300 mA peak to avoid brownouts during Wi-Fi calibration [Espressif, Datasheet 2020].

What happens if GPIO2 is low at boot?

The chip stays in an undefined state and neither LED nor UART responds [Elektroda, khoam, post #18474241] This edge case mimics a dead module but resolves once GPIO2 is pulled high.

How do I update AT firmware on a 1 MB flash module?

Use Espressif Flash Download Tool with SPI MODE =DIO and load files from AT v1.6.2 package. Map addresses exactly as in readme.txt. Firmware larger than 1 MB will fail [Espressif, Release Notes].

Downloader still says “Invalid head of packet” – what else can I try?

Check for cold solder joints on VCC or GND. A loose pin prevented power LED activation until pressed [Elektroda, sq9etc, post #18481494] Re-soldering fixed both flashing and LED.

Can I power the ESP-07 from the USB-UART adapter?

Only if the adapter supplies a solid 3.3 V at ≥300 mA. Many FTDI or CP2102 boards supply <100 mA and cause resets. Use a dedicated 3.3 V regulator when in doubt [Espressif, Datasheet 2020].

Quick 3-step flashing checklist

  1. Power at 3.3 V with shared GND. 2. Pull GPIO0 LOW, GPIO2 HIGH, GPIO15 LOW; reset. 3. Start downloader at 115 200 bps with SPI MODE=DIO and correct flash size. If it connects, release GPIO0 and upload.
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