I have been running home assistant on a Slim Client running Linux and connecting via the HA dashboard from a Chrome browser on a windows desktop. The device that I created on a esp8266/D1 mini opens and closes windows. The device and the entities associated with it all show up on the ESPHome tab on the dashboard. The system worked just fine until about a month ago. Now I can’t get the device to connect to wifi. I have tried a bunch of things:
flashed program onto new D1
physically switched to a different home router (from Deco x55 mesh to an old Lynksys dual band)
flashed sample programs from the ESPHome site to the D1’s
replaced the L298 motor controller that powers the D1 None of this has solved the issue
If I pull the D1 physically out of its installation and hook it up via USB to either the windows machine, the slim client or the router, I can see its IP address in the wifi network. It shows as online in the HA dashboard and I can control it via the dashboard interface.
The D1 is mounted in a breadboard with an L298 motor controller. The L298 provides the 5V supply which I have confirmed with a Fluke multimeter. The D1 is powered since when the reset button is pushed the LED on the board flashes. Problem is that when the D1 (with my device programmed into it or just a sample ESPHome device) is in the breadboard, it does not show up as active on the HA dashboard. It doesn’t show up in the wifi list of IP addresses. This is true even if I bring the router right next to the D1.
Not sure if this is a simple issue and I am being dense, but I could sure use some help.
Based on that and all the other troubleshooting you’ve done, it sounds like it’s an issue with your physical install. Using a breadboard for a permanent install isn’t a great idea, they’re finicky and can cause all sorts of problems randomly due to poor connections, unexpected shorts, etc.
I would recommend redoing your install with permanent connections (or at least dupont connectors if you’re not comfortable with a soldering iron). I feel like there’s a good chance it’s as simple as a poor connection causing under voltage to the ESP; that’s certainly where I’d start my hunt.
That doesn’t mean much, as it would still do that even if it’s getting low voltage, the LED just tells you it’s getting ‘some’ power.
System is now operating. i pulled all the connections off the D1 then just hooked up 5V power. Unit connected to wifi. I then put back all the other connections and system is working. Is it possible that if one or some pins on the D1 were at ground during startup due to a connection to the system, that wifi could be disabled?