Downloading index: package_esp8266com_index.json

Development Tools IDE 2.x
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Downloading index: package_esp8266com_index.json never ends???

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What OS, what were you doing? Missing 99.99999% of the information needed.

1 Like
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Windows 11.
I started IDE, the download message popped up and since yesterday evening, no progress.

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You’re a lot more patient than me. I’d have closed the IDE and rebooted my PC long ago!

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Do you have access to the internet?

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I did it another time, and message came back.

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Are you connected to the internet? Is your system clock 100% accurate?

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Yes all of the above.
It happened in the past, just not for that long, and always jason.

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Show me the actual error, do NOT interpret. Post the full error in code tags.

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Does it look like this
https://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266com_index.json

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If it does, click my link or copy it and paste into a browser. You should see the json file. It will look like this. If you don't see it you have something wrong with your Windows and/or browser.

Screenshot 2025-06-21 at 18.50.56
Screenshot 2025-06-21 at 18.50.561650×1250 272 KB

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Hi @mikemarcu. I'm going to ask you to provide the logs that Arduino IDE prints when you start it from the command line terminal. It is possible they will contain a clue that might help us to identify the cause of the problem.

:red_exclamation_mark: This procedure is not intended to solve the problem. The purpose is to gather more information.

Please do this:

  1. Select File > Quit from the Arduino IDE menus if it is running.
    All Arduino IDE windows will close.
  2. Start Windows "File Explorer".
  3. Open the Arduino IDE installation folder.
    ⓘ The default installation location is at one of the following paths: 
    • C:\Program Files\Arduino IDE

    • C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Programs\Arduino IDE
      (where <username> is your Windows username)
      :red_exclamation_mark: If looking for it with your file manager or command line, note that the AppData folder is hidden by default. On Windows "File Explorer", you can make it visible by opening the "View" menu, then checking the box next to "☐ Hidden items".
  4. In the folder listing of the Arduino IDE installation folder, hold the Shift key while clicking the right hand button on the mouse.
    A context menu will open.
  5. Select "Open PowerShell window here" from the menu.
    Windows PowerShell will now open with the current directory set to the Arduino IDE installation folder.
  6. Type the following command in the PowerShell window:
    & ".\Arduino IDE"
  7. Press the Enter key.
    Debug output should now be printed to the PowerShell window as Arduino IDE starts.
  8. Wait for Arduino IDE to finish starting.
  9. Switch back to the PowerShell window.
  10. Press the Ctrl+Shift+A keyboard shortcut.
    This will select all the text in the PowerShell window.
  11. Press the Ctrl+C keyboard shortcut.
    This will copy the contents of the PowerShell window to the clipboard.
  12. Open a reply here on this forum topic by clicking the "Reply" button.
  13. Click the <CODE/> icon on the post composer toolbar.
    This will add the forum's code block markup (```) to your reply to make sure the error messages are correctly formatted.
    Code block icon on toolbar
    Code block icon on toolbar390×118 4.25 KB
  14. Press the Ctrl+V keyboard shortcut.
    This will paste the output into the code block.
  15. Move the cursor outside of the code block markup before you add any additional text to your reply.
  16. Click the "Reply" button to publish the post.

Please let us know if you have any questions or problems while following those instructions.