Can't connect to ESP. Please make sure your YAML file contains an 'api:' line

ESPHome
1

I keep getting the noted error.

  1. I can ping the device
  2. Using Device Builder, I can visit the device and turn it on/off (switch)
  3. yaml file has an api line with encryption
  4. I can type the ip address in a browser and I get the device website
  5. I am on the latest version of HA and ESPHome

I’m not sure what else to do to get Homeassistant to see the device.

yaml:

esphome:
  name: gatecontrol
  friendly_name: GateControl

esp8266:
  board: esp01_1m

# Enable logging
logger:
  

# Enable Home Assistant API
api:
  encryption:
    key: "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"

ota:
  - platform: esphome
    password: "xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx"

wifi:
  ssid: !secret wifi_ssid 
  password: !secret wifi_password 
  use_address: 10.0.0.11
  manual_ip:
    static_ip: 10.0.0.11
    gateway: 10.0.0.1
    subnet: 255.255.255.0
    dns1: 10.0.0.1


  # Enable fallback hotspot (captive portal) in case wifi connection fails
  ap:
    ssid: "Gatecontrol Fallback Hotspot"
    password: "xxxxxxxxxxx"

captive_portal:

switch:
  - platform: gpio
    pin: GPIO0
    id: relay
    name: "Gate Cycle"
    icon: "mdi:gate"
    on_turn_on:
      - switch.turn_on: relay
    on_turn_off:
      - switch.turn_off: relay
  
web_server:
  port: 80
2

Remove the use_address line from wifi.
Control your api key.

3

I tried that too, same result, so I put it back.

I was reading a long post with same issue and someone suggested the yaml file name should be the same as device name. Im going to try that tomorrow…

4

You can add the device manually to home assistant. You might have MDNS problems or something.

You have other devices that work / use different vlans ?

5

Sitting with similar issue on multiple devices. Only diffirence is I can’t ping then or access the web interface for the device.
What is strange is that it shows online in ESPHome builder page. I also removed one or 2 device, reboot Home assistant and they come up as new device discovered. But not able to add them back in again. Just gives me an error: “Can’t connect to ESP. Please make sure your YAML file contains an ‘api:’ line.”
Worked perfectly with esphome 2025.3.2, since updating to 2025.3.3 problems started. Went back to 2025.3.2 and problem still there.