The ESP32-CAM comes with an on-board Wi-Fi antenna, but it also has an IPEX connector if you want to use an external antenna. Using an external antenna can solve problems related with slow video streaming web servers and other connectivity problems. This tutorial shows how to use an external antenna with the ESP32-CAM.
How to connect an External Antenna to the ESP32-CAM
The ESP32-CAM has the option to use either the built-in PCB antenna or an external antenna as the one shown in the following figure.
Next to the IPEX connector there are three little white squares laid out like a ā<ā with the middle position being common. There is a resistor selecting the desired antenna. Hereās the two configurations:
- To use the IPEX connector with an external antenna, the resistor must be on the bottom position, like this ā\ā. See illustration below;
- To use the PCB antenna (on-board antenna), the resistor must be on the top position, like this ā/ā.
Take a look at your board to see if it is set to use the on-board antenna or the IPEX connector. Using the on-board antenna works well if you are close to your router. We recommend using the IPEX connector with an external antenna for better results.
Projects with video streaming crash frequently when you donāt use an external antenna due to poor connectivity. So, make sure you get one to have your projects working reliably.
To enable or disable the on-board antenna, you just need to unsolder that resistor and solder it in the desired configuration. You can also drop some solder to connect those points (you donāt necessarily need to add the resistor as long as the pads are connected).
Note: You canāt use the two antennas at the same time, so you can only have one connection for the antenna.
When getting an ESP32-CAM, there are stores that offer the package with an external antenna:
Testing the ESP32-CAM Wi-Fi Signal Strength
You can upload the following code to your ESP32-CAM boards to check the signal strength of the connection to the router (RSSI – Received Signal Strength Indication).
#include "WiFi.h"
const char* ssid = "REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_SSID";
const char* password = "REPLACE_WITH_YOUR_PASSWORD";
void setup(){
Serial.begin(115200);
WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
delay(500);
Serial.print(".");
}
Serial.println("");
Serial.println("WiFi connected.");
delay(100);
}
void loop(){
Serial.print("RSSI: ");
Serial.println(WiFi.RSSI());
delay(2000);
}When testing the signal strength, the closer the value to 0, the stronger the signal is.
In our case, with a distance of approximately 5 meters (16.4 feet) to the router with obstacles in between (walls), we got the following results:
- ESP32-CAM without antenna: RSSI of approximately -60
- ESP32-CAM with antenna: RSSI of approximately -36
Learn how to program and build 17 projects with the ESP32-CAM using Arduino IDEĀ DOWNLOAD Ā»
Learn how to program and build 17 projects with the ESP32-CAM using Arduino IDE DOWNLOAD Ā»
Wrapping Up
If you’re having issues with your video streaming projects with the ESP32-CAM: constant lag and very slow web servers, adding an external antenna might solve those problems. If you connect an external antenna, take a look at your board to see if it has the right connection to actually use the external antenna.
If you’re having other problems/errors with your ESP32-CAM projects, take a look at our troubleshooting guide – ESP32-CAM Troubleshooting Guide.
We hope you’ve found these tips about the ESP32-CAM antenna useful. We have more projects and tutorials about the ESP32-CAM that you may like:
- ESP32-CAM AI-Thinker Pinout Guide: GPIOs Usage Explained
- Video Streaming, Face Detection and Face Recognition
- PIR Motion Detector with Photo Capture
- Best ESP32 Camera Development Board
- Build ESP32-CAM Projects (eBook)
- Read all our ESP32-CAM Projects, Tutorials and Guides
Thanks for reading.
Hi Sara,
Which are the specifications of the resistor that I must solder in my ESP32-CAM to enable the IPEX antenna?
Knowing myself, I believe that when I unsolder the resistor from the board, it will be useless… even more a ultra small part like this resistor.
So I believe that soldering a new one, instead the old one, is a better ideia in my case.
Hi Eduardo.
It is a 0 Ohm resistor. Which means it’s just a jumper. You can add some solder to join the pads.
Regards,
Sara
Thank you Sara!
Good to know this!
Thanks Sara
Lost the resistor the moment it was unsoldered. But it’s working better now when the pads are soldered for external Antenna. Thanks a bunch š š š
Great! š
Hi, Sara, please clarify just to make sure I understood. I have a ESP32 CAM which has been factory set for the use of the onboard antenna. To use an external one:
I need to use a drop of solder to connect the common pad to the one used for the external antenna. ( \ )
Do I also have to remove(unsolder) the zero ohm resistor being used for the onboard antena, or can I just leave it there?
Thanks
Darcy
Hi.
It is better to unsolder it.
Regards,
Sara
WOW, that stuff is small!!!!!!!!!! I hope I don’t turn mine into a mini door stop.
Anyone know of a brand of these that is already set up for the external antenna? I just tried to remove the resistor and solder the other pads on mine but what a joke! Going to be a lot of these going into the trash can I think! Even with a magnifying glass, it’s way too small to work with!!!!
I probably messed mine up as now the stream is hit/miss. Works a little, then the picture just freezes.
Not buying any more like this one. š
Hi Bob.
I recommend taking a look at this article that compares several ESP32 camera boards.
See if one of the other camera boards is more suitable for your projects: https://makeradvisor.com/esp32-camera-cam-boards-review-comparison/
Regards,
Sara
I purchased a few external antennae for my ESP32 Cam boards, and want to install them. I understand about the connection to designate the external antenna option.
How does the circular connection fit? I’m holding the base of the external antenna wire right over the circular ‘port’ on the cam board, and it seems like it should snap down…? Is that to be soldered as well, does it snap into place? Is there a required orientation to be snapped into place? It’s so small, I don’t want to use too much force and break something.
Thank you!
Hi.
You just need to snap it down. You don’t need to solder the antenna.
There isn’t a specific orientation.
It won’t break š
Regards,
Sara
Ugh. Thank you Sara. I was able to punch the little antenna down into place. I de-soldered the onboard antenna connection, but really butchered the camera board trying to solder the external antenna ‘jumper’ connection. I think I fried the cam board, because Arduino serial monitor can’t connect to it, (perpetual ………………) and all my wires are in place and secure (still connected to FTDI).
Sad face. That is a really tough connection to apply solder to, it being so tiny and close to the ESP32 chip.
Hello Sara, let me first say that I LOVE how you guys work. I mentioned this in another msg – another subject – but I have several of your books and they are immensely helpful – thank you for that.
Now, I don’t know if this thread is still open or not but I guess I’ll see! I’ve been struggling for hours – maybe even days trying to get this ESP32-“U” board working. What a comedy or errors and limited information about just about everything in the Arduino world! Lots of “learning curve” – OK enough of my stumping.
I am working on a project whereby I can use my current doorbell chime and its’ 18vac existing cabling, combined with an ESP32-U and a couple of ESP32-Cams. I’m getting there albeit very slowly – “learning curve”!! The “32U” is acting as a server of sorts whereby it controls a dual relay to physically trigger the doorbell chimes. It is mounted, along with a PS and the relay board inside the doorbell housing – all powered of course by the existing 18vac transformer. This part works GREAT – after I figured out all the little nuances of the 32U.
First of all, determining what “board” to use in the IDE was interesting but it was, after all, simple – just use the “DOITESP32DevKit” along with “your” Hello Sara, let me first say that I LOVE how you guys work. I mentioned this in another msg – another subject – but I have several of your books and they are immensely helpful – thank you for that.
Now, I don’t know if this thread is still open or not but I guess I’ll see! I’ve been struggling for hours – maybe even days trying to get this ESP32-“U” board working. What a comedy or errors and limited information about just about everything in the Arduino world! Lots of “learning curve” – OK enough of my stumping.
I am working on a project whereby I can use my current doorbell chime and its’ 18vac existing cabling, combined with an ESP32-U and a couple of ESP32-Cams. I’m getting there albeit very slowly – “learning curve”!! The “32U” is acting as a server of sorts whereby it controls a dual relay to physically trigger the doorbell chimes. It is mounted, along with a PS and the relay board inside the doorbell housing – all powered of course by the existing 18vac transformer. This part works GREAT – after I figured out all the little nuances of the 32U.
First of all, determining what “board” to use in the IDE was interesting but it was simple – Just use the “DOIT ESP32 Dev Kit” and the sketch from your CAM book “https://RandomNerdTutorials.com/esp32-esp8266-web-server-outputs-momentary-switch/” – the IDE board was one of your suggestions from here in the forum section.
Along with the IDE board selection, there was the issue of the “antenna”. First of all, this particular board “U32” does not have an “internal” antenna. Try to find that essential info anywhere in the Arduino world. So naturally I spent a great deal of time trying to get the U32 to connect to WIFI – about a day and a half on this issue. Then, trying to get the external ant connect was a chore too. My big hands just couldn’t get the right angle – that’s where your “just snap it down … it won’t break” comment came into play. Everything I have up to this point works great. Doorbell rings just by pressing the HTML button in the sketch!
As I said, I’ve got a long way to go, but I wanted to see if some of this info might help someone else trying to connect an antenna to an ESP32U Module.
Sorry about the “book” but I just wanted to layout my project for you because I am sure I will be coming back to you for additional “Help”.
Thanks a bunch for all your help, Dan Cook
Sorry about the messed up msg – I was “saving” it as I went along and I just forgot to delete some of the earlier existing copy. It’s called “proofreading” right?
It is very difficult to desolder the zero-Ohm resistor and then to apply a dot of solder on the right place without damaging the board, unless you have a lot of practice with a soldering iron and a steady hand.
I would be great to have a board with the same capabilities with a more practical way of installing a remote antenna.
Hi.
You can take a look at this article that compares several ESP32 camera boards. Some of them come with an antenna: https://makeradvisor.com/esp32-camera-cam-boards-review-comparison/
Regards,
Sara
The Santos’ have located an ESP32 Cam board, with an external antenna attached. They’re only a few dollars more, the soldering is completed. https://makeradvisor.com/tools/esp32-cam-external-antenna/ I ordered two of them. I think this, with SD card capability, PSRAM, and more powerful external antenna, will be a great solution.
Oops. The antenna probably isn’t attached, it’s included.
Yes. They include the antenna.
But, please be aware, that sometimes, even when you buy the package with the antenna, the external antenna is not selected š
Regards,
Sara
Has anyone been able to do this successfully? I appreciate the tutorial, but I am decent with a soldering iron and really struggle with this. Anyone know of a place where you can get these boards with the jumper pre soldered?
The ESP32-CAM is the center of a product I am building. A few beta version are being tested but the limitations of the device’s wifi range are really hurting me.
I also failed the first time, then there was a success by this way: i took a piece of very thin copper wire covered by tin lead, placed it to the connectable points and soldered it in touching by the gun for ~1 secs. Then placed a small screwdriver from above on the removable resistor and hit it once, so it cut the resistor into half (or more, crushed it completely).
Result: drive.google.com/file/d/1vm17bZTbgTLGE5VmY5ACLFHvNHkw4QJf/view
Hey Sara,
I managed to re-solder the 0ohm resistor successfully and it works great!
There is something i don’t understand though:
While checking the solder points on the esp board, i noticed that the whole on board antenna trace is connected to GND, while the IPEX main pin isn’t. Can you please clarify to me how does the on board antenna works if its all just connected to the ground?
Best regards, Dor
Hello, how to distinguish between “external antenna” and “vehicle antenna”, can you post the connection for reference?
Will the antenna help with a weak BLE/Bluetooth Signal on these boards as well or is it only for improving Wifi?
possible with externe antena to sending video for a long distance to another esp 32 with tft
I have a esp32 board that has the foot print for a IPEX connector. Can anyone please tell me a part number for the connector to purchase and a supplier?
Hi team, great article (as always). In my case I want to install the ESP32 inside a metal cabinet and then I need the external antena otherwise I donĀ”t get a good WIFI connection. My problem resides in the fact that the cable of the external antena is too short, in other words I need my antena to be located outside the cabinet and therefore I need a longer cable. Can I amend the cable or is there other antenas with longer cables I could buy? (I wasn’t able to find any yet)
Many thanks in advance for any help
Hi Sara.
I really appreciate all of the effort you all go through to explain all of this to the community. I’m fairly new-ish to modifying boards, so I’m a little confused on what the photos are telling us. I don’t see any resistor at all, but I do see the three solder “drops” located within “boxes”. In order for the external antena to work, do I “erase” the bottom line located between the left “drop” and the bottom “drop” and then connect the line located between the top “drop” and the left “drop”? Or is there an actual set of contacts that need to be disconnected and new set connected?
Thank you in advance for your assistance.
Ron.
Never mind! After using high magnification, I see the resistor. Wow! This is crazy small. At my age, my hands aren’t going to be steady enough. I guess I’m forced to buy the pre-soldered ones…..
Hi.
Yes.
It’s easier to buy the ones that already come predefined to use the external antenna.
Regards,
Sara
Hey sara!
Can you tell me the antenna gain(DBI) for the ESP32 Wrover E ?. Thank you š