WLED Setup Instructions
1Power On Your Device
- Connect your ESP32 device to a power source using a USB cable or appropriate power adapter
- Wait approximately 10-15 seconds for the device to boot up
- The device will automatically create a WiFi access point
2Connect to the WLED Access Point
On Your Phone or Computer:
- Open WiFi Settings on your device (phone, tablet, or computer)
-
Look for a WiFi network named:
-
WLED-APor -
WLED-XXXXXX(where XXXXXX represents the last 6 characters of the device's MAC address)
-
-
Connect to this network
- The default password (if required) is typically:
wled1234 - Some WLED versions may have no password (open network)
- The default password (if required) is typically:
-
Wait for the Captive Portal to appear automatically
- On most devices, a popup window should appear automatically
- This is called a "captive portal" - similar to what you see when connecting to coffee shop WiFi
3Access the WLED Interface
If the Captive Portal Appears:
- Follow the on-screen instructions
- You'll be taken directly to the WLED configuration page
If the Captive Portal Does NOT Appear:
Don't worry! Follow these manual steps:
- Keep your device connected to the WLED WiFi network
- Open a web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, etc.)
-
Type one of these addresses in the address bar:
http://4.3.2.1http://192.168.4.1-
http://wled.local(may not work on all devices)
- Press Enter - The WLED interface should now load
4Configure WiFi (Optional but Recommended)
To control your WLED device from your home network:
- In the WLED interface, click on "Config" (gear icon)
- Select "WiFi Setup"
- Enter your home WiFi credentials:
- SSID: Your WiFi network name
- Password: Your WiFi password
- Click "Save & Connect"
- The device will restart and connect to your home WiFi
-
Find your device's new IP address:
- Check your router's connected devices list, or
- Use the WLED app to discover devices on your network
Troubleshooting
Can't See the WLED Access Point?
- Wait longer: The device may take up to 30 seconds to create the access point
- Move closer: Ensure you're within range of the device
- Restart the device: Unplug and replug the power
-
Check for other networks: Ensure you're looking for
WLED-in your WiFi list
Captive Portal Won't Open?
- Disable mobile data: On phones, turn off cellular data temporarily
- Try manual access: Use the browser method described above
- Forget and reconnect: Remove the WLED network from saved networks and reconnect
- Try different browser: Some browsers work better than others
Can't Access 4.3.2.1 or 192.168.4.1?
- Verify connection: Make sure you're still connected to the WLED WiFi network
- Check device VPN: Disable any VPN services temporarily
- Try different device: Some devices may have connectivity restrictions
- Use WLED app: Download the official WLED app as an alternative
After WiFi Setup, Can't Find Device?
- Check router: Log into your router to find the new IP address
- Reset device: Hold the device's button (if available) for 10 seconds to reset to AP mode
- Use WLED app: The app can discover devices on your local network
- Check WiFi credentials: Ensure you entered the correct SSID and password
Default Access Information
Default AP Network
WLED-AP or WLED-XXXXXX
Default AP Password
wled1234 (or no password)
Default AP IP Address
http://4.3.2.1http://192.168.4.1
Default Hostname
(mDNS, may not work on all devices)
wled.local(mDNS, may not work on all devices)
Quick Tips
- Bookmark the IP address once you find it for easy access later
- Download the WLED app for easier control (available for iOS and Android)
- Update firmware regularly for new features and bug fixes
- Create presets to save your favorite lighting configurations
- Enable mDNS in WiFi settings to use
http://wled.localinstead of IP addresses
Additional Resources
Need More Help?
If you continue to experience issues, please contact support with:
- Device model information
- Steps you've tried
- Any error messages you're seeing
- Screenshots if possible