The ESP32 can act as a Wi-Fi station, as an access point, or both. In this tutorial we’ll show you how to set the ESP32 as an access point using Arduino IDE.
In most projects with the ESP32, we connect the ESP32 to a wireless router (see our ESP32 web server tutorial). This way we can access the ESP32 through the local network.
In this situation the router acts as an access point and the ESP32 is set as a station. In this scenario, you need to be connected to your router (local network) to control the ESP32.
But if you set the ESP32 as an access point (hotspot), you can be connected to the ESP32 using any device with Wi-Fi capabilities without the need to connect to your router.
In simple words, when you set the ESP32 as an access point you create its own Wi-Fi network and nearby Wi-Fi devices (stations) can connect to it (like your smartphone or your computer).
Here we’ll show you how to set the ESP32 as an access point in your web server projects. This way, you don’t need to be connected to a router to control your ESP32. Because the ESP32 doesn’t connect further to a wired network (like your router), it is called soft-AP (soft Access Point).
Installing the ESP32 board in Arduino IDE
There’s an add-on for the Arduino IDE that allows you to program the ESP32 using the Arduino IDE and its programming language. Follow one of the following tutorials to prepare your Arduino IDE:
- Windows instructions – Installing the ESP32 Board in Arduino IDE
- Mac and Linux instructions – Installing the ESP32 Board in Arduino IDE
ESP32 Access Point
In this example, we’ll modify an ESP32 Web Server from a previous tutorial to add access point capabilities. What we’ll show you here can be used with any ESP32 web server example.
Upload the sketch provided below to set the ESP32 as an access point.
/*********
Rui Santos
Complete project details at https://randomnerdtutorials.com
*********/
// Load Wi-Fi library
#include <WiFi.h>
// Replace with your network credentials
const char* ssid = "ESP32-Access-Point";
const char* password = "123456789";
// Set web server port number to 80
WiFiServer server(80);
// Variable to store the HTTP request
String header;
// Auxiliar variables to store the current output state
String output26State = "off";
String output27State = "off";
// Assign output variables to GPIO pins
const int output26 = 26;
const int output27 = 27;
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
// Initialize the output variables as outputs
pinMode(output26, OUTPUT);
pinMode(output27, OUTPUT);
// Set outputs to LOW
digitalWrite(output26, LOW);
digitalWrite(output27, LOW);
// Connect to Wi-Fi network with SSID and password
Serial.print("Setting AP (Access Point)…");
// Remove the password parameter, if you want the AP (Access Point) to be open
WiFi.softAP(ssid, password);
IPAddress IP = WiFi.softAPIP();
Serial.print("AP IP address: ");
Serial.println(IP);
server.begin();
}
void loop(){
WiFiClient client = server.available(); // Listen for incoming clients
if (client) { // If a new client connects,
Serial.println("New Client."); // print a message out in the serial port
String currentLine = ""; // make a String to hold incoming data from the client
while (client.connected()) { // loop while the client's connected
if (client.available()) { // if there's bytes to read from the client,
char c = client.read(); // read a byte, then
Serial.write(c); // print it out the serial monitor
header += c;
if (c == '\n') { // if the byte is a newline character
// if the current line is blank, you got two newline characters in a row.
// that's the end of the client HTTP request, so send a response:
if (currentLine.length() == 0) {
// HTTP headers always start with a response code (e.g. HTTP/1.1 200 OK)
// and a content-type so the client knows what's coming, then a blank line:
client.println("HTTP/1.1 200 OK");
client.println("Content-type:text/html");
client.println("Connection: close");
client.println();
// turns the GPIOs on and off
if (header.indexOf("GET /26/on") >= 0) {
Serial.println("GPIO 26 on");
output26State = "on";
digitalWrite(output26, HIGH);
} else if (header.indexOf("GET /26/off") >= 0) {
Serial.println("GPIO 26 off");
output26State = "off";
digitalWrite(output26, LOW);
} else if (header.indexOf("GET /27/on") >= 0) {
Serial.println("GPIO 27 on");
output27State = "on";
digitalWrite(output27, HIGH);
} else if (header.indexOf("GET /27/off") >= 0) {
Serial.println("GPIO 27 off");
output27State = "off";
digitalWrite(output27, LOW);
}
// Display the HTML web page
client.println("<!DOCTYPE html><html>");
client.println("<head><meta name=\"viewport\" content=\"width=device-width, initial-scale=1\">");
client.println("<link rel=\"icon\" href=\"data:,\">");
// CSS to style the on/off buttons
// Feel free to change the background-color and font-size attributes to fit your preferences
client.println("<style>html { font-family: Helvetica; display: inline-block; margin: 0px auto; text-align: center;}");
client.println(".button { background-color: #4CAF50; border: none; color: white; padding: 16px 40px;");
client.println("text-decoration: none; font-size: 30px; margin: 2px; cursor: pointer;}");
client.println(".button2 {background-color: #555555;}</style></head>");
// Web Page Heading
client.println("<body><h1>ESP32 Web Server</h1>");
// Display current state, and ON/OFF buttons for GPIO 26
client.println("<p>GPIO 26 - State " + output26State + "</p>");
// If the output26State is off, it displays the ON button
if (output26State=="off") {
client.println("<p><a href=\"/26/on\"><button class=\"button\">ON</button></a></p>");
} else {
client.println("<p><a href=\"/26/off\"><button class=\"button button2\">OFF</button></a></p>");
}
// Display current state, and ON/OFF buttons for GPIO 27
client.println("<p>GPIO 27 - State " + output27State + "</p>");
// If the output27State is off, it displays the ON button
if (output27State=="off") {
client.println("<p><a href=\"/27/on\"><button class=\"button\">ON</button></a></p>");
} else {
client.println("<p><a href=\"/27/off\"><button class=\"button button2\">OFF</button></a></p>");
}
client.println("</body></html>");
// The HTTP response ends with another blank line
client.println();
// Break out of the while loop
break;
} else { // if you got a newline, then clear currentLine
currentLine = "";
}
} else if (c != '\r') { // if you got anything else but a carriage return character,
currentLine += c; // add it to the end of the currentLine
}
}
}
// Clear the header variable
header = "";
// Close the connection
client.stop();
Serial.println("Client disconnected.");
Serial.println("");
}
}
Customize the SSID and Password
You need to define a SSID name and a password to access the ESP32. In this example we’re setting the ESP32 SSID name to ESP32-Access-Point, but you can modify the name to whatever you want. The password is 123456789, but you can also modify it.
// You can customize the SSID name and change the password
const char* ssid = "ESP32-Access-Point";
const char* password = "123456789";Setting the ESP32 as an Access Point
There’s a section in the setup() to set the ESP32 as an access point using the softAP() method:
WiFi.softAP(ssid, password);There are also other optional parameters you can pass to the softAP() method. Here’s all the parameters:
.softAP(const char* ssid, const char* password, int channel, int ssid_hidden, int max_connection)- SSID (defined earlier): maximum of 63 characters;
- password(defined earlier): minimum of 8 characters; set to NULL if you want the access point to be open
- channel: Wi-Fi channel number (1-13)
- ssid_hidden: (0 = broadcast SSID, 1 = hide SSID)
- max_connection: maximum simultaneous connected clients (1-4)
Next, we need to get the access point IP address using the softAPIP() method and print it in the Serial Monitor.
IPAddress IP = WiFi.softAPIP();
Serial.print("AP IP address: ");
Serial.println(IP);These are the snippets of code you need to include in your web server sketches to set the ESP32 as an access point. To learn how the full web server code works, take a look at the ESP32 Web Server tutorial.
Parts Required
For this tutorial you’ll need the following parts:
- ESP32 development board – read ESP32 Development Boards Review and Comparison
- 2x 5mm LED
- 2x 330 Ohm resistor
- Breadboard
- Jumper wires
You can use the preceding links or go directly to MakerAdvisor.com/tools to find all the parts for your projects at the best price!
Schematic
Start by building the circuit. Connect two LEDs to the ESP32 as shown in the following schematic diagram – one LED connected to GPIO 26, and the other to GPIO 27.
Note: We’re using the ESP32 DEVKIT DOIT board with 36 pins. Before assembling the circuit, make sure you check the pinout for the board you’re using.
ESP32 IP Address
Upload the code to your ESP32 (make sure you have the right board and COM port selected). Open the Serial Monitor at a baud rate of 115200. Press the ESP32 “Enable” button.
The IP address you need to access the ESP32 point will be printed. In this case, it is 192.168.4.1.
Connecting to the ESP32 Access Point
Having the ESP32 running the new sketch, in your smartphone open your Wi-Fi settings and tap the ESP32-Access-Point network:
Enter the password you’ve defined earlier in the code.
Open your web browser and type the IP address 192.168.4.1. The web server page should load:
To connect to the access point on your computer, go to the Network and Internet Settings and select the “ESP32-Access-Point“.
Insert the password you’ve defined earlier.
And it’s done! Now, to access the ESP32 web server page, you just need to type the ESP32 IP address on your browser.
Wrapping Up
This simple tutorial showed you how to set the ESP32 as an access point on your web server sketches. When the ESP32 is set as an access point, devices with Wi-Fi capabilities can connect directly to the ESP32 without the need to connect to a router.
You may also like reading:
- Learn ESP32 with Arduino IDE (course)
- ESP32 Web Server
- ESP32 Data Logging Temperature to MicroSD Card
- ESP32 with DC Motor and L298N Motor Driver – Control Speed and Direction
We hope you’ve found this tutorial useful. If you like ESP32 and you want to learn more, we recommend enrolling in Learn ESP32 with Arduino IDE course.
Thanks for reading.
Hi Sara hi Rui,
Thank you very much for your last posts about esp32.
I’m a bit lost in “Wifi libraries”.
My question : For Arduino, Esp8266 or ESP32, is it the same wifi.h library ?
I tried to find an answer in you different posts but it seems not to be precisely indicated.
Best regards
Hi Gabriel.
With the ESP32 and Arduino we use the WiFi.h library. However, those libraries are different for the ESP32 and ESP8266. If you’re having trouble compiling ESP32 code that uses the WiFi.h library, you must remove the Arduino WiFi library from your Arduino IDE installation.
The ESP8266 uses the ESP8266WiFi.h library.
Regards,
Sara 🙂
It’s the “max_connection” limitation of. “1-4” that puts this outside the range of being really useful.
The Raspberry Pi will get to about 30 and then begin throttling back.
For just a home Website, it might be useful, I suppose.
The primary purpose of this code is to connect to the ESP32 device to configure its internal settings. Not to run a website on.
Very Nice work. I love this post ! I am trying to do something similar with JSON to read sensors and control pins.
Ciao, e complimenti per l’articolo che trovo particolarmente interessante.
Ho modificato il codice adattandolo a una scheda diversa, e più precisamente NodeMcu Lolin V.3, ma quando cerco di caricare il codice mi dà questo errore. Mi aiuteresti a capire il problema?
Hello, and congratulations for the article that I find particularly interesting.
I modified the code by adapting it to a different card, and more specifically NodeMcu Lolin V.3, but when I try to load the code it gives me this error. Would you help me to understand the problem?
C:\Users\miche\Documents\Arduino\Rui_Santos_AP_Server_Modificato\Rui_Santos_AP_Server_Modificato.ino: In function ‘void setup()’:
Rui_Santos_AP_Server_Modificato:44: error: ‘class WiFiClass’ has no member named ‘softAP’
WiFi.softAP(ssid, password);
^
Rui_Santos_AP_Server_Modificato:46: error: ‘class WiFiClass’ has no member named ‘softAP’
IPAddress IP = WiFi.softAP();
^
Uso la libreria WiFi alla versione 1.2.7 nella cartella: C:\Program Files\WindowsApps\ArduinoLLC.ArduinoIDE_1.8.10.0_x86__mdqgnx93n4wtt\libraries\WiFi
Uso la libreria SPI alla versione 1.0 nella cartella: C:\Users\miche\Documents\ArduinoData\packages\esp8266\hardware\esp8266\2.4.0\libraries\SPI
exit status 1
‘class WiFiClass’ has no member named ‘softAP’
Hi.
I think you’re not using the right WiFi library. It seems your code is using the ESP8266 wifi library instead of the ESP32.
Also, make sure you’re selecting the right board when you’re trying to upload code.
Can you re-install the ESP32 add-on on your Arduino IDE?
https://randomnerdtutorials.com/installing-the-esp32-board-in-arduino-ide-windows-instructions/
Also, make sure you have the latest version of the Arduino IDE.
I hope this helps.
Ciao, e grazie per la risposta.
Ieri ho aggiornato il mio IDE e installato il componente aggiuntivo ESP32, ma sembra di capire che le librerie vengono richiamate automaticamente dal codice in base alla scheda selezionata, e la mia scheda non è un ESP32 ma una NodeMcu (8266, giusto?) forse il problema è la scheda. Lo sketch è ottimizzato per ESP32 ma la mia scheda non lo è. Chiedo se altri hanno avuto il mio stesso problema, e se lo hanno risolto, magari modificando il codice.
Hello and thanks for the reply. Yesterday I updated my IDE and installed the ESP32 add-on, but it seems to understand that the libraries are automatically recalled by the code according to the selected card, and my card is not an ESP32 but a NodeMcu (8266, right?) Maybe the problem is the card. The sketch is optimized for ESP32 but my card is not. I ask if others have had the same problem, and if they have solved it, maybe by changing the code.
Hi again.
Sorry. But I didn’t understand: are you using an ESP8266 or an ESP32?
Ciao Sara, io uso questa scheda: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/-/32648996273.html
Hi again.
You’re using an ESP8266. The code in this example is for the ESP32, that’s why it doesn’t work.
Try taking a look at this tutorial that shows how to set an access point for the ESP8266:
github.com/esp8266/Arduino/blob/master/doc/esp8266wifi/soft-access-point-examples.rst
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Sara 🙂
Ciao Sara, grazie infinite. È come temevo, il codice qui descritto non va bene per la mia scheda.
Appena posso uso il codice da te indicato e ti faccio sapere.
Grazie ancora, a presto.
Good luck with your project! I hope you make it work.
P.S. Next time, try to post your questions in english, so that everyone is able to understand.
Thanks.
Regards,
Sara 🙂
Hello Sara, I just wanted to apologize to you and everyone in the forum for posting my last questions in my mother tongue rather than in English. Unfortunately for my distraction I did not think to do the translation before publishing them.
I hope I did not create inconvenience to those who followed these posts.
Thank you again for your availability, I offer my regards.
Michele
You don’t need to worry about that!
Thank you!
Regards,
Sara 🙂
i would like to Set an ESP32 Access Point (AP) with static/fix IP address, what i have to modify in Arduio sketch code.
Hi.
You have to insert the following lines in your code to give your ESP32 network a name, and a password. It can be whatever you want.
const char* ssid = “ESP32-Access-Point”;
const char* password = “123456789”;
Then, set the access point with the following line:
WiFi.softAP(ssid, password);
And get the IP address with the following:
IPAddress IP = WiFi.softAPIP();
Serial.print(“AP IP address: “);
Serial.println(IP);
Everything is explained in the tutorial.
Regards,
Sara 🙂
I believe you can do what you want with the WifFi.softAPConfig() function.
Changing to the following void setup worked for me. Basically, you need to let the ESP32 setup its automatic soft IP, then wait for 100ms, then send command to ESP to change to your preferred fixed IP:
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
// Initialize the output variables as outputs
pinMode(output26, OUTPUT);
pinMode(output27, OUTPUT);
// Set outputs to LOW
digitalWrite(output26, LOW);
digitalWrite(output27, LOW);
// Connect to Wi-Fi network with SSID and password
Serial.print(“Setting AP (Access Point)…”);
// Remove the password parameter, if you want the AP (Access Point) to be open
WiFi.softAP(ssid, password);
IPAddress IP = WiFi.softAPIP();
Serial.print(“Original AP IP address: “);
Serial.println(IP);
WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP);
WiFi.softAP(ssid, password);
Serial.println(“Wait 100 ms for AP_START…”);
delay(100);
Serial.println(“Set softAPConfig”);
IPAddress Ip(192, 168, 1, 1);
IPAddress NMask(255, 255, 255, 0);
WiFi.softAPConfig(Ip, Ip, NMask);
IPAddress myIP = WiFi.softAPIP();
Serial.print(“New AP IP address: “);
Serial.println(myIP);
server.begin();
}
Hi guys, just want to say a great tutorial. I have a Heltec ESP32 with OLED display and have the web server up and running in both AP and STA modes. Works like a treat. I have the OLED display the text status of 3 of the output pins (one of which is the on-board LED Pin25).
I have added a third button which was very easy. Also changed the size & colour of the buttons.
Great stuff!!
Hi Alan!
That’s great! Keep up the good work!
Regards,
Sara 🙂
Hola, Alan por favor puedes compartir tu codigo, estoy tratanto de hacer lo mismo, gracias
Hi Sara
Esp 32 can show when a phone is connected to ap
If yes please help
Regards
Hi Musi,
When the ESP32 is set as an access point, when you connect your smartphone to the ESP32, you are connected to the ESP32 network.
So, you can’t access apps that require data network.
Regards,
Sara 🙂
Maybe changing int max_connection = 4
you can get more connections. I have not tried it.
https://github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/blob/master/libraries/WiFi/src/WiFiAP.h
Thank your for a very thorough tutorial.
I am having problems getting it to work on IOS devices. I works fine on Win 10 and Android devices. If I try to connect with a IOS 12 phone it wont connect and in the device ip address it does not list the expected 192.168.4.1 address. If I modify the source code to not pass the password parameter. IE an open network it connects as expected. I have tried similar examples from other sites and they produce similar results.
I would be grateful if you could give me any help as how to proceed with debugging the problem. I am using esp32 and using the code you supply.
Hi Chris.
That’s very weird and I have no idea why that is happening.
It may be something related with your phone.
Other people reported issues about connecting with other phones, but I don’t know what the reason is.
I’ve searched on the internet and haven’t found a clear answer.
I found this issue on the forum, but it doesn’t have an answer yet: github.com/espressif/arduino-esp32/issues/2242
It is a problem similar to yours.
Sorry that I can’t help much.
Regards,
Sara
My understanding (which could be wrong) is that iOS, and some other phones, won’t connect unless there is an onward connection to the Internet.
This has caused me unresolved problems with Raspberry Pi based devices.
Thanks any way for taking the time to reply. It seems it may be a problem with IOS rather than the ESP side of things. If I find an answer I will let you know 🙂
Thanks again for a very informative site.
Regards from Chris.
Greetings;
I’m still understanding the code and procedures.
1 Question: Is it possible to configure Wifi Encryption?
Something like:
byte encryption = 2;
TKIP (WPA) = 2
// WEP = 5
// CCMP (WPA) = 4
// NONE = 7
// AUTO = 8
Both WiFi and WiFiAp classes dont have a way to set this; but I’ve read that it is possible.
Thanks in advance.
Hi Ricardo,
Unfortunately, we don’t have any tutorials about that subject.
Regards,
Sara
Hi Sara, thanks for all your tutorials on this website, they are very clear and well done!
After setting my ESP32 as an access point, can I send data from this one?
I mean I’d like to send the data from a sensor connected to my ESP32 and reading them on my phone or tablet.
Thanks.
Bryan
Hi Bryan.
Yes, you can do that. It works like any other web server we have in our tutorials. But instead of connecting to your local network to get the readings, you connect to the ESP32 access point.
Regards,
Sara
O was trying to set an esp32 cam as an access point, so i could see the vídeo stream, with no need to connect to the router…but no luck yet…maybe you guys could lend a hand😉
Hi João.
What is the exact problem that you’re facing?
Regards,
Sara
Well..the main problem are my poor programing skills…😣
Appart from that i’m trying to make a sort of a standalone WiFi câmera on the cheap…that you could hide in common everyday objects…and that could be accessed on and Android phone..wich could store the stream if wanted..
.it seems a good project for the esp32 and android app development…
Are you interested in helping
Thx soo much for posting this – just what I needed and works like a charm !
You’re a star !
It is known that max_connection” limitations is 4 for ESP8266 and 32
Also is known that for 8266 can be extend to 8 and for 32 even more
Can you help me for doing this
Regards
You say that ” there are also other optional parameters you can pass to the softAP() method. Here’s all the parameters:”
max_connection: maximum simultaneous connected clients (1-4)
Haw to program softAP to accept 8 or more simultaneous connected clients
Will be very useful if you will make a tutorial or help me to do that.
Best regards
If some phones won’t connect – just disable mobile communication, worked for me. Thanks for the tutorial
Good afternoon, SARA
For me it worked round, just need to find a server to host.
Ok, so I’m a little bit behind (Ha!)….but, none the less, this is a great project!
This morning I put it together with a DS18B20, added a 3rd button to the webpage and temperature readout. VERY COOL!
Hopefully I can add a Si7021 on I2C and display that as well in the near future. This saves so much other work! All I need to do is drop my solar battery to a 5V level with a switching module, hook it up to the dev board, and bam! remote access, monitoring, and control! Wow!
I LOVE RNT!!!
Thanks so much for your projects and inspirations!
Best Always!
Dave
I’m searching for a way to send “time” to 6 stations mostly ESP-01s (I may use other board if useful ) from a server like ESP32. Not using my local network nor using the net. Just to send the time to all the stations at the same time. Not need to receive any data from those stations. Do you have a good direction on how to do it. What I see on the net is always the reverse like Stations sending to the Server. I don’t want to use UDP as it’s not safe. Many thanks for your help. 02-15-2020
Hi Dan.
You can use ESPNOW to send messages to multiple boards. We have tutorials for ESPNOW with ESP32:
– https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp-now-esp32-arduino-ide/
– https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp-now-two-way-communication-esp32/
Next week, we’ll be publishing a tutorial about ESP-NOW with the ESP8266.
You can make an ESP32 and ESP8266 communicate with each other using ESP-NOW.
Regards,
Sara
Hey!!! that’s what I need, finally. And If I may, my optimal setup would be to use all ESP-01s with a Pic from microchip as all my thermostat setup is almost done with PIC. And if possible in a near future I may need to access my local network to change some settings in the master thermostat using my computer, but without being able to go on the net for safety reasons. So if you can give us some details on how to do it I’m sure that it will be useful to others.
Thanks for your help.
I really like this tutorial, but I am having a problem with it. Everything is going well until I disconnect the wifi from my pc and try to reconnect, then my page breake and cannot reconnect. It’s a big problem for code applications, since i can’t get very far from the project after I start running the code without losing my connection. I can’t be reseting the Esp32 fisicaly, and the only way i find to repair it, is rebooting. I’m not a professional programmer and, unfortunately, I still haven’t found a solution for that. If anyone knows how to enable it can be connected and disconnected from wifi without problems, please help me. I’m already happy for the post, but this help can make it even more interesting. thanks
Hi.
Thanks for your comment.
Do you want to software reboot the ESP32 remotely?
Regards,
Sara
Hi. I have the same problem. Everything works OK until I disconnect from the AP. Then the pages will no longer appear. It is necessary to restart the module
Hello Rui & Sara
Thanks – great work
I cannot get soft AP mode to work with the RTOS, do you know any reason for this ?
Thanks Hb
Hi.
What do you mean?
Regards,
Sara
Thank you , now i can do that.
Great tutorial as always.
Is there a way of using Soft Access Point with ESP32 Cam, to stream video from ESP32 Cam to Phone/tablet without using Router?
Yes.
Just follow this tutorial.
Regards,
Sara
Many thanks, that’s great.
Sorry for my missing something. When you say “follow this tutorial”, what does that mean? Read thru all the entries in this blog? Is it possible to be more specific?
I am enjoying reading all these Q/A. thanks Don
Hi.
This tutorial shows how to set an access point.
Then, you should be able to apply the concepts learned to your own project.
Regards,
Sara
Hi Rui and Sara.
Perhaps this is a network concept rather than a esp32 concept, but i think thath you could help me…
If the ESP32 is the Acces Point, i’m able to connect my laptop to its own network , right?
And usign its own network can i acces to any web page like it was the normal router network? How is it possible?
I understand that the router is connected by wire to the global network, for this reason when i connect a device to the router wifi i can go to any web page of the world.
Instead, how the information of any web page can arrive to my laptop through the ESP32 network, if this ESP32 is not connected to the global network?
It is more a conceptual doubt than a software/hardware doubt.
I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
You have misunderstood.
You would be able to access a webpage that is hosted on the ESP-32 only – you would not have access to webpages on the Internet.
It can be useful to have a locally hosted webpage to supply specific information. If you have regular visitors, for instance, you could have the webpage show local buildings of interest and their history, things like that.
Hi, a bit late to the party I know. I found your article very helpful and very informative to a
serious newbie at this programming stuff.
Using your code got me running an esp32-cam as an access point and with a simple aerial I can get ~200m which is perfect for my needs.
I would like to use multiple cameras each with their own SSID and IP address, the SSID is obvious but I have no idea how to get a different IP on each camera AP.
Can anyone point me in the right direction?
Hi.
To assign a specific IP address to a board, you can follow this tutorial: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-static-fixed-ip-address-arduino-ide/
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Sara
Sara,
Thanks so much for the prompt reply,
Your static IP tutorial sets a fixed IP address to the esp32 when connecting to, say, my home network 192.168.1.xxx, what I need is to be able to control the IP address that the esp32 issues (DHCP), when acting as an access point, in the one I have done so far from your tutorial, 192.168.4.1. I intend to have six cameras close to one another and need to be able to connect to any of then individually.
It occurs to me that the SSID might perform this function in a way, all cameras being on a separate network?
Thanks again Graham
Hi.
Yes, because they are on a different network, you can connect to them separately.
They will all have the 192.168.4.1 address, but because they are on different networks, you can connect to them separately.
Regards,
Sara
I have the soft AP server running on an ESP32_CAM with a battery, a 3.3V regulator and an external antenna. It works fine when the serial cable is attached but stops updating images when it is removed.
If I touch the serial port pins with my hand, it starts again and stops as soon as I remove my hand.. Touching other pins on side of the ESP32 CAM board with the serial port also keeps it running. Touching pins on the other edge of the board does not appear to have this effect. Any thoughts on this mystery?
Thanks,
Bob
Hi Bob.
Which pins are you using to power the ESP32-CAM?
Can you provide more details?
Regards,
Sara
Sara,
I did send an update to Rui but I’ll post it here along with some added info.
I submitted a post yesterday about intermittent operation of the
ESP32-CAM that involved touching the serial port pins to get it working.
The problem appears to be fixed but you might want to remember this
for future reference given that you are the repository for all things ESP32.
I had glued the external antenna to the end of the ESP32-CAM along the edge with the internal antenna and experienced the problems.
Breaking the glue joint and moving the antenna a small distance away
from the ESP32_CAM fixed the problem. . I further experimented and could get occasional image updates depending on where I placed my hands near the antenna.
My assumption is that RF energy from the WiFi antenna was getting picked up and upsetting the operation but not crashing the system since it always resumed working when I touched the pins.
Now here is where it gets (more) interesting. I popped an ESP32-CAM with internal antenna into my test fixture and saw exactly the same problem except that I couldn’t move the antenna away as it was built-in.
Next I put a .1uF capacitor between the 3.3V pin and the nearest ground
which was three pins over and the problem went away.
I think mounting the ESP32-CAM on a good board with a ground plane along with bypassing the 3.3V pin may help those who are having issues running off 3.3V.
Best Regards,
Bob
Thanks for sharing this.
It may be useful for our readers.
Regards,
Sara
surely this is becase the code wants to communicate with the serial port. Remove that code
Hi there, is there a way of, while having the AP mode, make it redirect to the page automatically, like it does with the Captive Portal example?
The code works great 🙂 I have my ESP32 setup as an Access Point.
My issue is when I have my smart phone or pc connected and then leave the house and come back and reconnect to my ESP, the webpage will not refresh unless I reset the ESP and reconnect
Hi Mark Phillips, you can insert this line and it will work just fine!
Credits go to this person:
mundoprojetado.com.br/enviar-e-receber-dados-pelo-web-server-do-nodemcu-aula-7-nb/
client.println(“”)
I do not know what happens. the message will not complete!
Hi.
To post sample code, try to send a link to Pastebin, Github or others.
Some lines of code are not accepted by the comments software here.
Regards,
Sara
Hi Rui & Sara,
This is great work, thank you for guide us.
I made it work 🙂 However, I need to make the process totally automatic. I need to push the file to the ESP32 without having to open the browser, entering the site, define the file, and clicking the button to start the upload. Is this possible?
Thank you in advance
Hi.
Search for “OTA programming” with the ESP32.
Regards,
Sara
Thanks Sara.
BR
Can we used physical push button in ESP32 Access Point (AP) mode?
If yes then how-to used physical push button in ESP32 Access Point (AP) mode.
I have two Scenarios :
1. First push button used as physical as well as using web server.
2. Second pushbutton used only physically, but its state(on/off) shown on web server.
Hi.
You can do all of that in access point mode.
Take a look at these tutorials that might help:
https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-websocket-server-arduino/
https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-esp8266-web-server-physical-button/
https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-esp8266-web-server-outputs-momentary-switch/
Then, just modify the code to use access point.
Hi,
i would like to set up an ESP32 Access Point with an IP address other than 192.168.4.1 .
IPAddress IP = WiFi.softAPIP(); always gives the same IP.
Is there a way to do that?
Thx
Christian
Hi,
When I attempt to compile the code provided for “Setting the ESP32 as an Access Point”, I get the following error
‘class WiFiClass’ has no member named ‘softAP’
highlighting the following line
WiFi.softAP(ssid, password);
I have looked in my directories and there is no WiFi.h which has this function it it.
Can you assist.
Thank you
Victor
Hi Victor.
Make sure you have an ESP32 board selected when you try to compile and upload the code.
Regards,
Sara
Hello, and thank you for the awesome tutorials.
For my project I am hoping to have two separate ESP32s (clients/stations) both reading data from magnetometer sensors wired to them, and have them both send the data live to a third ESP32 (server/AP). Maybe I am missing something, but the code reads as if as soon as it is connected to a single client, it won’t look for new clients anymore. How can I connect several clients to an ESP32 server and communicate simultaneously?
thank you!
Hi.
Have you taken a look at ESP-NOW or ESP-MESH. These are probably a better alternative for your project:
https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp-now-esp32-arduino-ide/
https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp-mesh-esp32-esp8266-painlessmesh/
Regards,
Sara
Hello,
I left a comment here yesterday but I don’t see it posted. Does it take a while for the comment to be posted or did mine just fail to go through?
I’m asking about connecting multiple ESP32 clients to a single ESP32 server simultaneously as I don’t see how the code allows for that even though the guide seems to hint that multiple clients is possible. In the code it seems as though as soon as a new client is detected the server will no longer look for new clients. Can you help me with this?
Thank you very much for the great guides and for your response!
The next logical step after this would be to enable mDNS so the user could connect via known name instead of needing the printed IP address. For an ESP32 this is as easy as:
#include <ESPmDNS.h>
In setup add:
if (!MDNS.begin(“esp32lights”)) {
Serial.println(“Error setting up MDNS responder!”);
while (1) {
delay(1000);
}
}
Serial.println(“MDNS started.”);
MDNS.addService(“http”, “tcp”, 80);
If you’re connecting from a Windows PC you’d have to install the Apple Bonjour service, but from anything else you could connect to the ESP32 access point and simply browse to
http://esp32lights.local
Thanks for sharing.
hello!
Tanks for the article first of all!
I need to undestand if I can change the IP Adress to another by my will
for example 192.168.0.1
Hi.
Yes, if it is available in your local network.
Regards,
Sar
Hi,
When I use this on my ESP32, it automatically logs me into my Wifi, even though I didn’t go to the access point and gave it my credentials. How is this possible.
Another question I have is, if a network that is scanned doesn’t require a password, with the esp32 automatically connect to that network?
Thanks
I am getting this error while connecting to the wifi, though the wifi is connected but cant get to the web page.
Setting AP (Access Point)…AP IP address: 192.168.4.1
E (36263) event: mismatch or invalid event, id=63
E (36263) event: default event handler failed!
dhcps: send_offer>>udp_sendto result 0
help.
Thanks
I just found that I am able connect through my windows 10 pc but not through my android phone.
Hi.
You need to make sure that your phone connects to the ESP32 wi-fi network.
regards,
Sara
Hi, Sara.
I need some help.. The IDE has been showing this Error message:
=================================================================
error: ‘class WiFiClass’ has no member named ‘softAPIP’
Serial.println(WiFi.softAPIP()); //imprime o IP do AP
=================================================================
I’ve already checked the board i’m using (“ESP32 Dev Module”)
I’ve already reinstalled the libraries
I tried to declare the libraries with ” ” and put them in the same directory of the file .ino
Nothing worked! Can you help to understand what is going wrong?? And how can i fix it?
Thanks
Remove the (), it’s a constant not a function.
Ignore my comment, I was incorrect working from memory.
Hi sara,
As I understand it, when we call “softAP()” method , esp32 establishes an access point
So how can i remove this access point?
Can i destroy this access point created by esp32 by calling the “begin()” method?
Hi.
Set the mode to WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA) to set it to station.
Learn more here: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-useful-wi-fi-functions-arduino/#1
Regards,
Sara
“Open your web browser and type the IP address 192.168.4.1. The web server page should load:”
Nope. Even though I can connect to the AP, and the serial monitor says 192.168.4.1 is the IP address, attempts to access that IP through the browser indicate that the page is not reachable.
Hi.
In your device network settings (computer or smartphone, depends on where you want to access your web server), you need to connect to the ESP32 access point before typing the IP on the browser.
Regards,
Sara
Yes. As I mentioned, I did connect to the AP successfully. I just can’t access the page in the browser.
But I appreciate the article! It is a great starting point. I’ll figure out the issue. It just didn’t work right off like I’d hoped. 🙂
Hi Sara – It does work in the loop() as it turns out. I’m trying to put the loop into a FreeRTOS task where I need it to be, but not successful yet. I’ll figure it out… thanks!
hi. i am also trying to do the same. have you found any solution?
HI Sara,
it’s great tutorial.
i have some questions
how to make the button side by side?
i modified this function code, added margin-left or right the button move away to the left or right ignoring the pc number
ptr +=”.button1 {display: block;width: 80px;background-color: #3498db;border: none;color: white;padding: 13px 30px;text-decoration: none;font-size: 25px;;margin-left: 0px 35px;margin-right: 0px 35px;cursor: pointer;border-radius: 4px;}\n”;
how to make the web page responsive if the other pc or phone accessing the esp32?
Hi Sara,
I see you give a great Support to the Questions in all that tutorials.
So I hope, that you or somebody else can help me with my problem.
My Target is: create a hot spot to have a comunication between 3 clients.
No. 1 is the remote control, the other are the working clients.
Basically with this access point the system works, but I have no clear Idea how to get the connected IP’s of the clients.
(once the client is installed I can not access it anymore without wifi)
I tried the WiFiClientEvents and I see there is a new connection but I don’t get the IP of the client.
I tried a loop with all 254 IP’s with client.connect but this takes about 20 seconds if there is no client at this IP in the loop …
Is there any option to get a list of conected clients?
Hi.
I think this discussion may help you: https://arduino.stackexchange.com/questions/32904/list-of-connected-clients-to-server
Regards,
Sara
helpfully. how about NAT, my question is how
to enable nat function for client can connect to internet ?
thank for advance.
Hi Sara,
Great tutorial. I just ran into a problem here, I am hoping you could help me. I’m using an ESP 32 same like yours, board version installed on arduino ide is 1.0.6. and using Wifi.h library.
I am getting this error while compiling:
Arduino: 1.8.19 (Windows 10), Board: “ESP32 Dev Module, Disabled, Default 4MB with spiffs (1.2MB APP/1.5MB SPIFFS), 240MHz (WiFi/BT), QIO, 80MHz, 4MB (32Mb), 921600, None”
esp_webserver_AP:14:12: error: cannot declare variable ‘server’ to be of abstract type ‘WiFiServer’
WiFiServer server(80);
^
In file included from C:\Users\HP\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.6\libraries\WiFi\src/WiFi.h:38:0,
from C:\Users\HP\Documents\Arduino\esp_webserver_AP\esp_webserver_AP.ino:7:
C:\Users\HP\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\esp32\hardware\esp32\1.0.6\libraries\WiFi\src/WiFiServer.h:26:7: note: because the following virtual functions are pure within ‘WiFiServer’:
class WiFiServer : public Server {
^
exit status 1
cannot declare variable ‘server’ to be of abstract type ‘WiFiServer’
Could you please look into it?
Thanks,
Noor
Hi.
That’s weird.
Did you copy the whole code properly?
Did you change anything?
Make sure you have an ESP32 board selected in Tools > Boards before compiling.
Regards,
Sara
Hi Sara,
is it also possible to replace the buttons in the example by an input box?
I tried the whole weekend without success.
thx gstarraw96
Hi Sara!
Would be possible to use an ESP32 to play movies and series from a micro SD card attached to it (with its sd card module) through wifi from other devices (like smartphone, tablet, etc).
Like a “homemade local netflix”. I mean literally streaming videos, just “reading the file byte to byte” and processing and decoding the file from the other device connected, not processing or decoding the file from the ESP itself, which would logically be too much load for this small microcontroller.
I had planned to do this project, but I’m afraid that the only thing that can be done is to download the movie from the micro SD of the ESP to the device connected…
Hi.
I think this is not possible…
But, I can’t be 100% sure.
Regards,
Sara
Barely, I just found this: https://appelsiini.net/2020/esp32-mjpeg-video-player/
Hi,
I love your website and your tutorials and examples!
I have been going around and around and I think you can save me a lot of trouble.
I need set up an ESP32 as an AP (like this tutorial) so I can connect directly to the ESP32 without using my WIFI network. But I need to enter data to be saved on the ESP32 as in your input fields web server. It seems like the two methods serve up the webpage in different ways. The input fields tutorial has exactly the webpage format I need, but I need to use the ESP32 as an AP not a client.
Is there a tutorial that shows me that or can I change the input fields tutorial and use the ESP as an AP? Thanks for any help you can offer.
Keep up the great work.
Hi.
You just need to use the following lines to create an access point:
WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP);
WiFi.softAP(ssid, password);
Instead of:
WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);
WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
The SSID and password can be whatever you want.
Regards,
Sara
Hi Sara
Sorry, that comment was not very well written. I think it was 2am 🙁
I thought of that later and will give it a try. Just FYI, I have a Sparkfun ESP32 Thing and I’m building up a weather ‘display’ from Bodmer’s awesome Openweather libs. The plan is to have it start up as an AP so you can configure it (including to your local WIFI) then reboot into a webserver/client on the WIFI. Then the openweather code grabs the weather and forecast.
Thanks for your help.
Paul
Hi.
For that scenario, search for “ESP32 WiFiManager”.
Regards,
Sara
good evening Sara
I am following you say but unsuccessful
below what i did
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
// Initialize the output variables as outputs
pinMode(output26, OUTPUT);
pinMode(output27, OUTPUT);
// Set outputs to LOW
digitalWrite(output26, LOW);
digitalWrite(output27, LOW);
// Connect to Wi-Fi network with SSID and password
Serial.print(“Setting AP (Access Point)…”);
// Remove the password parameter, if you want the AP (Access Point) to be open
WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP);
WiFi.softAP(ssid, password);
IPAddress IP = WiFi.softAPIP();
Serial.print(“AP IP address: “);
Serial.println(IP);
server.begin();
}
regards
Stefano
Hi Sara,
Is there a way to sync time from the smartphone to ESP32 in AP?
thanks
Hi Sara,
In this case, IP is 192.168.4.1.
is this IP changeable? and how?
Thanks
Adam
The unadjusted code doesn’t seem to work on my NodeMCU ESP32.. I have no clue what’s causing this, but none of my devices can find the access point in wifi settings, despite the IDE saying the code installed successfully…?
Is there any possibility to connect the ESP32 via WLAN without disconnecting an existent WLAN link. e.g. My PC (192.168.1.2) is connected with the Router (192.168.1.1) the ESP32(192.168.100.1 pwd is known). Is there any possibility to connect without changing IP addresses of my PC? If yes, what are the keywords for what I must search to get a better understanding. Thanks a lot.
Hi Sara.
If ESP32CAM works as AP server, does it be able to find a client log in and the client’s IP address, please?
Thanks
Summer
I tried to setup the webserver slider project as an accespoint, so I don’t need a router.
I can’t get it working. Any idee how to do this?
Hi.
Check if your code needs javascript libraries loaded from the internet.
If that’s the case, you’ll need access to the internet to load the libraries or save the libraries locally on the ESP and then call them and load them when needed.
Regards,
Sara
Dear Sara,
I’m looking for an example where ESP32 would be Web Server and AP, where we can send a integer value from the Web Client.
Your example ESP32 Web Server: Control Stepper Motor with HTML Form + CSS (using SPIFFS) is what I need, but I haven’t succeeded so far to modify it to be Access Point too.
Thank you very much for your help and congratulations to you and Rui for your amazing work.
Kind regards,
Mickael
Hi.
What are the issues you’re getting trying to combine both examples?
Do you get any errors?
regards,
Sara
Hi Sara,
In fact, what I really need is be able to keypunch an integer value in a ESP32 Web Client interface, where that ESP32 would be also AP.
The AP example above has just buttons and status updates, but no field where to enter a value. I need to update an integer variable in my ESP32 to perform my control.
So, I tried to modify the AP example above to add that integer field handling but I miss html programming knowledges to succeed with it so far.
Also I read somewhere that we could turn quite any existing ESP32 based web server project into soft access point mode with the few WifiServer commands listed in the above example, what I tried also on your ESP32 Web Server: Control Stepper Motor with HTML Form + CSS (using SPIFFS) example… also without success so far.
Sorry for that long story, but Sara, if you could supply to be an ESP32 AP example like the above but with integer entry in the Web Client, I will be able to get by with it.
Or maybe a concret example of How To turn one of your ESP32 Web server project into a Access Point one.
Thank you very much again for your support.
Mick
Hi.
To set a web server as an access point, you just need to use the following line:
WiFi.softAP(ssid, password);
instead of:
WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
To add an input field, you can take a look at this examples:
https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-esp8266-input-data-html-form/
https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-wi-fi-manager-asyncwebserver/ (the process of creating this project explains how to create input fields as well as changing between access point and station).
You said you experimented without success but you didn’t mention which error you got.
Regards,
Sara
Hi Sara,
I tried the example you suggested above, it works really well and it is basically what I need.
But, as soon as I change WiFi.begin for WiFi.softAP to make it an Access Point, it doesn’t work. It compiles without any error, and upload successfully.
However, when I reset the board I obtain the message…
rst:0x1 (POWERON_RESET),boot:0x13 (SPI_FAST_FLASH_BOOT)
configsip: 0, SPIWP:0xee
clk_drv:0x00,q_drv:0x00,d_drv:0x00,cs0_drv:0x00,hd_drv:0x00,wp_drv:0x00
mode:DIO, clock div:2
load:0x3fff0030,len:1184
load:0x40078000,len:13104
load:0x40080400,len:3036
entry 0x400805e4
WiFi Failed!
Do we have really just that line to change to turn that simple project in AP?
Thanks again,
Kind regards,
Mick
Hi.
I forgot to mention that you also need to replace the following line:
WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);
with
WiFi.mode(WIFI_AP);
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Sara
Hi Sara,
It finally works with your help!
Thank you very much again!
Kind regards,
Mick
That’s great!
Hi, thank you for that code well documented.
Therefore my android phone, redmi note 10, refuse to automatically connect to the ESP32 acces point.
Each time, I have to go into WiFi settings and choose the network to reconnect.
The phone is configured to autoconnect, but it does not.
Is there a workaround for that?
Thanks
I followed this article and every thing working well for just a while then if I leave the phone or computer for a short time without sending commands
It does not respond and i need to rest the ESP32 to work agian
Hi, Sara
I need your help for my project but I don’t know how to contact you.
I try to make esp32 WebServer to control LED which have authentication login. Also have Amin page to change password. Here are some details .. I hope you can help.
https://forum.arduino.cc/t/esp32-webserver-with-user-and-password-authentication/1117484
Best Regards
Sasha
I face a problem that 192.168.4.1 site can’t be reached how I can solve this problem?
Hi.
Make sure you are connected to the ESP32 access point before opening the web browser.
Regards,
Sara
Hi Sara,
I want to implement a WiFi hotspot to which at least 5 devices can connect and use internet through the sim with data plan. i want to use sim808 and esp32. is it possible to do this?if any one can guide me or show me useful documents i will be very grateful.
I have several ESP32-CAM webserver modules ready for deployment into an environment where no router is available. Each ESP32-CAM is configured with a static IP address (AP mode) and all ESP32-CAMs are on the same network. The ESP32-CAMs can be successfully accessed individually as Access Points via a mobile phone’s wi-fi.
However, can someone suggest a solution to access them all individually without having to connect and disconnect to each one in turn, just as one can do WITH a router and ESP32-CAMs in station STA mode?
Thanks!
Many thanks to Santos Familia for your share.
Thank you so much.
Regards,
Sara
Hi, my second esp32-Cam MB, when uploaded with the sketch which worked with the first one compiles ok but the serial monitor loops around the following text and does not show an ip address:
”
18:23:21.829 -> ets Jul 29 2019 12:21:46
18:23:21.829 ->
18:23:21.829 -> rst:0x3 (SW_RESET),boot:0x13 (SPI_FAST_FLASH_BOOT)
18:23:21.829 -> configsip: 0, SPIWP:0xee
18:23:21.829 -> clk_drv:0x00,q_drv:0x00,d_drv:0x00,cs0_drv:0x00,hd_drv:0x00,wp_drv:0x00
18:23:21.938 -> mode:DIO, clock div:1
18:23:21.938 -> load:0x3fff0030,len:1184
18:23:21.938 -> load:0x40078000,len:13260
18:23:21.938 -> load:0x40080400,len:3028
18:23:21.938 -> entry 0x400805e4
”
Any help would be appreciated
Regards,
Mike
Hi, what if the index.html website page is stored in SPIFFS?
Hi.
What do you mean?
The way you set an access point remains the same.
If you want to learn how to store the file in spiffs, you can check this guide: https://randomnerdtutorials.com/esp32-web-server-spiffs-spi-flash-file-system/
Regards,
Sara
Wonderful tutorial, thanks so much!!
Question:
When I power the board from USB, all is well.
However, when I run the board standalone (powered from a battery on a breadboard PSU), it will not boot. It’s been suggested to me that this may be because the code is waiting for a serial connection over USB, and this of course will never happen when it’s not connection to the IDE. Could this be the case, and if so, can we work around it? I need to have one of these little APs running standalone (battery powered) for a school project demo. It doesn’t have to run long term, just a half hour or so.
Thanks again for such an amazing site! I’ve learned more about ESP32 programming here in the last few days than in the past year of trolling YouTube and other sites. 🙂
Hi.
It should work when it is battery powered.
Are you sure it is running with the batteries? Maybe the circuit is no wired properly or the power source is not providing enough power.
Regards,
Sara
Thanks so much for the reply. It turns out that indeed the battery was a little bit weak. I used a new one and all is well! 🙂
That’s great!
I’m glad it is working now.
Regards,
Sara