ESP32S3 - nothing happening on TFT

d-eastwood · February 1, 2026, 5:48pm

Hi there, I am completely new to Arduino / ESP32 Microcontrollers. I bought some ESP32 S3 (Amazon.com: 3PCS ESP32 S3 Development Board, N16R8 Dual-Core Microcontroller, with 44 Pre-soldered GPIO Pins, CH343P Chip, Dual Type-C Ports,2.4GHz Wi-Fi & Bluetooth 5 ESP32-S3-DevKit for Arduino : Electronics) and some small TFT screens (Amazon.com: 2Pcs 2.4 Inches TFT LCD Screen Module 2.4Inch 320x240 SPI Serial ILI9341 SPI 2.4" Screen Shield Display Module Development Board : Industrial & Scientific) with the purpose of building some custom handhelds that display gifs or video / audio. I can not get anything to show on the displays. I have tried, different USB C to USB C cables, USB A to USB C cables, different ports on the computer (M2 Pro Mac Mini), to no avail. Current board in board manager is esp32 by expressive (v 3.3.5). I have tried v 3.3.6 and 2.0.17 all with the same results (NONE - zero results). I have the USB A to USB C cable plugged into the right USB C port on the ESP32 S3 (when the ports are facing down). Current libraries installed are Adafruit BusIO, Adafruit GFX Lbrary, and TFT_eSPI. on the User_setup_select.h in TFT espi , I have commented everything out besides Setup 70b (which I think matches my setup). I have also tried setup 42 as well.

// This header file contains a list of user setup files and defines which one the
// compiler uses when the IDE performs a Verify/Compile or Upload.
//
// Users can create configurations for different boards and TFT displays.
// This makes selecting between hardware setups easy by "uncommenting" one line.

// The advantage of this hardware configuration method is that the examples provided
// with the library should work with immediately without any other changes being
// needed. It also improves the portability of users sketches to other hardware
// configurations and compatible libraries.
//
// Create a shortcut to this file on your desktop to permit quick access for editing.
// Re-compile and upload after making and saving any changes to this file.

// Example User_Setup files are stored in the "User_Setups" folder. These can be used
// unmodified or adapted for a particular hardware configuration.

#ifndef USER_SETUP_LOADED //  Lets PlatformIO users define settings in
                          //  platformio.ini, see notes in "Tools" folder.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//   User configuration selection lines are below    //
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////

// Only ONE line below should be uncommented to define your setup.  Add extra lines and files as needed.

//#include <User_Setup.h>           // Default setup is root library folder

//#include <User_Setups/Setup1_ILI9341.h>  // Setup file for ESP8266 configured for my ILI9341
//#include <User_Setups/Setup2_ST7735.h>   // Setup file for ESP8266 configured for my ST7735
//#include <User_Setups/Setup3_ILI9163.h>  // Setup file for ESP8266 configured for my ILI9163
//#include <User_Setups/Setup4_S6D02A1.h>  // Setup file for ESP8266 configured for my S6D02A1
//#include <User_Setups/Setup5_RPi_ILI9486.h>        // Setup file for ESP8266 configured for my stock RPi TFT
//#include <User_Setups/Setup6_RPi_Wr_ILI9486.h>     // Setup file for ESP8266 configured for my modified RPi TFT
//#include <User_Setups/Setup7_ST7735_128x128.h>     // Setup file for ESP8266 configured for my ST7735 128x128 display
//#include <User_Setups/Setup8_ILI9163_128x128.h>    // Setup file for ESP8266 configured for my ILI9163 128x128 display
//#include <User_Setups/Setup9_ST7735_Overlap.h>     // Setup file for ESP8266 configured for my ST7735
//#include <User_Setups/Setup10_RPi_touch_ILI9486.h> // Setup file for ESP8266 configured for ESP8266 and RPi TFT with touch

//#include <User_Setups/Setup11_RPi_touch_ILI9486.h> // Setup file configured for ESP32 and RPi TFT with touch
//#include <User_Setups/Setup12_M5Stack_Basic_Core.h>// Setup file for the ESP32 based M5Stack (Basic Core only)
//#include <User_Setups/Setup13_ILI9481_Parallel.h>  // Setup file for the ESP32 with parallel bus TFT
//#include <User_Setups/Setup14_ILI9341_Parallel.h>  // Setup file for the ESP32 with parallel bus TFT
//#include <User_Setups/Setup15_HX8357D.h>           // Setup file for ESP8266 configured for HX8357D
//#include <User_Setups/Setup16_ILI9488_Parallel.h>  // Setup file for the ESP32 with parallel bus TFT
//#include <User_Setups/Setup17_ePaper.h>            // Setup file for ESP8266 and any Waveshare ePaper display
//#include <User_Setups/Setup18_ST7789.h>            // Setup file for ESP8266 configured for ST7789

//#include <User_Setups/Setup19_RM68140_Parallel.h>	 // Setup file configured for RM68140 with parallel bus

//#include <User_Setups/Setup20_ILI9488.h>           // Setup file for ESP8266 and ILI9488 SPI bus TFT
//#include <User_Setups/Setup21_ILI9488.h>           // Setup file for ESP32 and ILI9488 SPI bus TFT

//#include <User_Setups/Setup22_TTGO_T4.h>           // Setup file for ESP32 and TTGO T4 version 1.2
//#include <User_Setups/Setup22_TTGO_T4_v1.3.h>      // Setup file for ESP32 and TTGO T4 version 1.3
//#include <User_Setups/Setup23_TTGO_TM.h>           // Setup file for ESP32 and TTGO TM ST7789 SPI bus TFT
//#include <User_Setups/Setup24_ST7789.h>            // Setup file for DSTIKE/ESP32/ESP8266 configured for ST7789 240 x 240
//#include <User_Setups/Setup25_TTGO_T_Display.h>    // Setup file for ESP32 and TTGO T-Display ST7789V SPI bus TFT
//#include <User_Setups/Setup26_TTGO_T_Wristband.h>  // Setup file for ESP32 and TTGO T-Wristband ST7735 SPI bus TFT

//#include <User_Setups/Setup27_RPi_ST7796_ESP32.h>    // ESP32   RPi MHS-4.0 inch Display-B
//#include <User_Setups/Setup28_RPi_ST7796_ESP8266.h>  // ESP8266 RPi MHS-4.0 inch Display-B

//#include <User_Setups/Setup29_ILI9341_STM32.h>          // Setup for Nucleo board
//#include <User_Setups/Setup30_ILI9341_Parallel_STM32.h> // Setup for Nucleo board and parallel display
//#include <User_Setups/Setup31_ST7796_Parallel_STM32.h>  // Setup for Nucleo board and parallel display
//#include <User_Setups/Setup32_ILI9341_STM32F103.h>      // Setup for "Blue/Black Pill"

//#include <User_Setups/Setup33_RPi_ILI9486_STM32.h>      // Setup for Nucleo board

//#include <User_Setups/Setup34_ILI9481_Parallel_STM32.h> // Setup for Nucleo board and parallel display
//#include <User_Setups/Setup35_ILI9341_STM32_Port_Bus.h> // Setup for STM32 port A parallel display

//#include <User_Setups/Setup36_RPi_touch_ST7796.h>      // Setup file configured for ESP32 and RPi ST7796 TFT with touch

//#include <User_Setups/Setup42_ILI9341_ESP32.h>           // Setup file for ESP32 and SPI ILI9341 240x320
//#include <User_Setups/Setup43_ST7735.h>            // Setup file for ESP8266 & ESP32 configured for my ST7735S 80x160
//#include <User_Setups/Setup44_TTGO_CameraPlus.h>   // Setup file for ESP32 and TTGO T-CameraPlus ST7789 SPI bus TFT    240x240
//#include <User_Setups/Setup45_TTGO_T_Watch.h>      // Setup file for ESP32 and TTGO T-Watch ST7789 SPI bus TFT  240x240
//#include <User_Setups/Setup46_GC9A01_ESP32.h>      // Setup file for ESP32 and GC9A01 SPI bus TFT  240x240

//#include <User_Setups/Setup47_ST7735.h>            // Setup file for ESP32 configured for ST7735 128 x 128 animated eyes

//#include <User_Setups/Setup50_SSD1963_Parallel.h>  // Setup file for ESP32 and SSD1963 TFT display

//#include <User_Setups/Setup51_LilyPi_ILI9481.h>    // Setup file for LilyGo LilyPi with ILI9481 display
//#include <User_Setups/Setup52_LilyPi_ST7796.h>     // Setup file for LilyGo LilyPi with ST7796 display

//#include <User_Setups/Setup60_RP2040_ILI9341.h>              // Setup file for RP2040 with SPI ILI9341
//#include <User_Setups/Setup61_RP2040_ILI9341_PIO_SPI.h>      // Setup file for RP2040 with PIO SPI ILI9341
//#include <User_Setups/Setup62_RP2040_Nano_Connect_ILI9341.h> // Setup file for RP2040 with SPI ILI9341

//#include <User_Setups/Setup66_Seeed_XIAO_Round.h>     // Setup file for Seeed XIAO with GC9A01 240x240

//#include <User_Setups/Setup70_ESP32_S2_ILI9341.h>     // Setup file for ESP32 S2 with SPI ILI9341
#include <User_Setups/Setup70b_ESP32_S3_ILI9341.h>    // Setup file for ESP32 S3 with SPI ILI9341
//#include <User_Setups/Setup70c_ESP32_C3_ILI9341.h>    // Setup file for ESP32 C3 with SPI ILI9341
//#include <User_Setups/Setup70d_ILI9488_S3_Parallel.h> // Setup file for ESP32 S3 with SPI ILI9488

//#include <User_Setups/Setup71_ESP32_S2_ST7789.h>       // Setup file for ESP32 S2 with ST7789
//#include <User_Setups/Setup72_ESP32_ST7789_172x320.h>  // Setup file for ESP32 with ST7789 1.47" 172x320

//#include <User_Setups/Setup100_RP2040_ILI9488_parallel.h> // Setup file for Pico/RP2040 with 8-bit parallel ILI9488
//#include <User_Setups/Setup101_RP2040_ILI9481_parallel.h> // Setup file for Pico/RP2040 with 8-bit parallel ILI9481
//#include <User_Setups/Setup102_RP2040_ILI9341_parallel.h> // Setup file for Pico/RP2040 with 8-bit parallel ILI9341
//#include <User_Setups/Setup103_RP2040_ILI9486_parallel.h> // Setup file for Pico/RP2040 with 8-bit parallel ILI9486
//#include <User_Setups/Setup104_RP2040_ST7796_parallel.h>  // Setup file for Pico/RP2040 with 8-bit parallel ST7796

//#include <User_Setups/Setup105_RP2040_ST7796_16bit_parallel.h>  // Setup file for RP2040 16-bit parallel display
//#include <User_Setups/Setup106_RP2040_ILI9481_16bit_parallel.h> // Setup file for RP2040 16-bit parallel display
//#include <User_Setups/Setup107_RP2040_ILI9341_16bit_parallel.h> // Setup file for RP2040 16-bit parallel display
//#include <User_Setups/Setup108_RP2040_ST7735.h> // Setup file for Waveshare RP2040 board with onboard ST7735 0.96" 160x80 display

//#include <User_Setups/Setup135_ST7789.h>           // Setup file for ESP8266 and ST7789 135 x 240 TFT

//#include <User_Setups/Setup136_LilyGo_TTV.h>       // Setup file for ESP32 and Lilygo TTV ST7789 SPI bus TFT  135x240
//#include <User_Setups/Setup137_LilyGo_TDisplay_RP2040.h>  // Setup file for Lilygo T-Display RP2040 (ST7789 on SPI bus with 135x240 TFT)

//#include <User_Setups/Setup138_Pico_Explorer_Base_RP2040_ST7789.h> // Setup file for Pico Explorer Base by Pimoroni for RP2040 (ST7789 on SPI bus with 240x240 TFT)

//#include <User_Setups/Setup200_GC9A01.h>           // Setup file for ESP32 and GC9A01 240 x 240 TFT

//#include <User_Setups/Setup201_WT32_SC01.h>        // Setup file for ESP32 based WT32_SC01 from Seeed

//#include <User_Setups/Setup202_SSD1351_128.h>      // Setup file for ESP32/ESP8266 based SSD1351 128x128 1.5inch OLED display

//#include <User_Setups/Setup203_ST7789.h>     // Setup file for ESP32/ESP8266 based ST7789 240X280 1.69inch TFT 

//#include <User_Setups/Setup204_ESP32_TouchDown.h>     // Setup file for the ESP32 TouchDown based on ILI9488 480 x 320 TFT 

//#include <User_Setups/Setup205_ESP32_TouchDown_S3.h>     // Setup file for the ESP32 TouchDown S3 based on ILI9488 480 x 320 TFT 

//#include <User_Setups/Setup206_LilyGo_T_Display_S3.h>     // For the LilyGo T-Display S3 based ESP32S3 with ST7789 170 x 320 TFT
//#include <User_Setups/Setup207_LilyGo_T_HMI.h>            // For the LilyGo T-HMI S3 based ESP32S3 with ST7789 240 x 320 TFT
//#include <User_Setups/Setup209_LilyGo_T_Dongle_S3.h>      // For the LilyGo T-Dongle S3 based ESP32 with ST7735 80 x 160 TFT
//#include <User_Setups/Setup210_LilyGo_T_Embed_S3.h>         // For the LilyGo T-Embed S3 based ESP32S3 with ST7789 170 x 320 TFT
//#include <User_Setups/Setup211_LilyGo_T_QT_Pro_S3.h>         // For the LilyGo T-QT Pro S3 based ESP32S3 with GC9A01 128 x 128 TFT
// #include <User_Setups/Setup212_LilyGo_T_PicoPro.h>         // For the LilyGo T-PICO-Pro with ST7796 222 x 480 TFT
// #include <User_Setups/Setup213_LilyGo_T_Beam_Shield.h>         // For the LilyGo T-BEAM V1.x with ST7796 222 x 480 TFT

//#include <User_Setups/Setup250_ESP32_S3_Box_Lite.h>      // For the ESP32 S3 Box Lite
//#include <User_Setups/Setup251_ESP32_S3_Box.h>            // For the ESP32 S3 Box

//#include <User_Setups/Setup301_BW16_ST7735.h>            // Setup file for Bw16-based boards with ST7735 160 x 80 TFT
//#include <User_Setups/Setup302_Waveshare_ESP32S3_GC9A01.h>            // Setup file for Waveshare ESP32-S3-Touch-LCD-1.28 board with GC9A01 240*240 TFT

//#include <User_Setups/SetupX_Template.h>     // Template file for a setup


//#include <User_Setups/Dustin_ILI9488.h>          // Setup file for Dustin Watts PCB with ILI9488
//#include <User_Setups/Dustin_ST7796.h>           // Setup file for Dustin Watts PCB with ST7796
//#include <User_Setups/Dustin_ILI9488_Pico.h>     // Setup file for Dustin Watts Pico PCB with ST7796
//#include <User_Setups/Dustin_ST7789_Pico.h>      // Setup file for Dustin Watts PCB with ST7789 240 x 240 on 3.3V adapter board
//#include <User_Setups/Dustin_GC9A01_Pico.h>      // Setup file for Dustin Watts PCB with GC9A01 240 x 240 on 3.3V adapter board
//#include <User_Setups/Dustin_GC9A01_ESP32.h>     // Setup file for Dustin Watts PCB with GC9A01 240 x 240 on 3.3V adapter board
//#include <User_Setups/Dustin_STT7789_ESP32.h>    // Setup file for Dustin Watts PCB with ST7789 240 x 240 on 3.3V adapter board
//#include <User_Setups/Dustin_ILI9341_ESP32.h>    // Setup file for Dustin Watts PCB with ILI9341
//#include <User_Setups/ILI9225.h>

#endif // USER_SETUP_LOADED



/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//                                                                                 //
//     DON'T TINKER WITH ANY OF THE FOLLOWING LINES, THESE ADD THE TFT DRIVERS     //
//       AND ESP8266 PIN DEFINITONS, THEY ARE HERE FOR BODMER'S CONVENIENCE!       //
//                                                                                 //
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////


// Identical looking TFT displays may have a different colour ordering in the 16-bit colour
#define TFT_BGR 0   // Colour order Blue-Green-Red
#define TFT_RGB 1   // Colour order Red-Green-Blue

// Legacy setup support, RPI_DISPLAY_TYPE replaces RPI_DRIVER
#if defined (RPI_DRIVER)
  #if !defined (RPI_DISPLAY_TYPE)
    #define RPI_DISPLAY_TYPE
  #endif
#endif

// Legacy setup support, RPI_ILI9486_DRIVER form is deprecated
// Instead define RPI_DISPLAY_TYPE and also define driver (e.g. ILI9486_DRIVER) 
#if defined (RPI_ILI9486_DRIVER)
  #if !defined (ILI9486_DRIVER)
    #define ILI9486_DRIVER
  #endif
  #if !defined (RPI_DISPLAY_TYPE)
    #define RPI_DISPLAY_TYPE
  #endif
#endif

// Invoke 18-bit colour for selected displays
#if !defined (RPI_DISPLAY_TYPE) && !defined (TFT_PARALLEL_8_BIT) && !defined (TFT_PARALLEL_16_BIT) && !defined (ESP32_PARALLEL)
  #if defined (ILI9481_DRIVER) || defined (ILI9486_DRIVER) || defined (ILI9488_DRIVER)
    #define SPI_18BIT_DRIVER
  #endif
#endif

// Load the right driver definition - do not tinker here !
#if   defined (ILI9341_DRIVER) || defined(ILI9341_2_DRIVER) || defined (ILI9342_DRIVER)
     #include <TFT_Drivers/ILI9341_Defines.h>
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x9341
#elif defined (ST7735_DRIVER)
     #include <TFT_Drivers/ST7735_Defines.h>
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x7735
#elif defined (ILI9163_DRIVER)
     #include <TFT_Drivers/ILI9163_Defines.h>
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x9163
#elif defined (S6D02A1_DRIVER)
     #include <TFT_Drivers/S6D02A1_Defines.h>
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x6D02
#elif defined (ST7796_DRIVER)
      #include "TFT_Drivers/ST7796_Defines.h"
      #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x7796
#elif defined (ILI9486_DRIVER)
     #include <TFT_Drivers/ILI9486_Defines.h>
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x9486
#elif defined (ILI9481_DRIVER)
     #include <TFT_Drivers/ILI9481_Defines.h>
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x9481
#elif defined (ILI9488_DRIVER)
     #include <TFT_Drivers/ILI9488_Defines.h>
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x9488
#elif defined (HX8357D_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/HX8357D_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x8357
#elif defined (EPD_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/EPD_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0xE9D
#elif defined (ST7789_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/ST7789_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x7789
#elif defined (R61581_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/R61581_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x6158
#elif defined (ST7789_2_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/ST7789_2_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x778B
#elif defined (RM68140_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/RM68140_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x6814
#elif defined (SSD1351_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/SSD1351_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x1351
#elif defined (SSD1963_480_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/SSD1963_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x1963
#elif defined (SSD1963_800_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/SSD1963_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x1963
#elif defined (SSD1963_800ALT_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/SSD1963_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x1963
#elif defined (SSD1963_800BD_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/SSD1963_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x1963
#elif defined (GC9A01_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/GC9A01_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x9A01
#elif defined (ILI9225_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/ILI9225_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x9225
#elif defined (RM68120_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/RM68120_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x6812
#elif defined (HX8357B_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/HX8357B_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x835B
#elif defined (HX8357C_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/HX8357C_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x835C

                              // <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ADD NEW DRIVER HERE
                              // XYZZY_init.h and XYZZY_rotation.h must also be added in TFT_eSPI.cpp
#elif defined (XYZZY_DRIVER)
     #include "TFT_Drivers/XYZZY_Defines.h"
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x0000
#else
     #define  TFT_DRIVER 0x0000
#endif

// These are the pins for ESP8266 boards
//      Name   GPIO    NodeMCU      Function
#define PIN_D0  16  // GPIO16       WAKE
#define PIN_D1   5  // GPIO5        User purpose
#define PIN_D2   4  // GPIO4        User purpose
#define PIN_D3   0  // GPIO0        Low on boot means enter FLASH mode
#define PIN_D4   2  // GPIO2        TXD1 (must be high on boot to go to UART0 FLASH mode)
#define PIN_D5  14  // GPIO14       HSCLK
#define PIN_D6  12  // GPIO12       HMISO
#define PIN_D7  13  // GPIO13       HMOSI  RXD2
#define PIN_D8  15  // GPIO15       HCS    TXD0 (must be low on boot to enter UART0 FLASH mode)
#define PIN_D9   3  //              RXD0
#define PIN_D10  1  //              TXD0

#define PIN_MOSI 8  // SD1          FLASH and overlap mode
#define PIN_MISO 7  // SD0
#define PIN_SCLK 6  // CLK
#define PIN_HWCS 0  // D3

#define PIN_D11  9  // SD2
#define PIN_D12 10  // SD4

Within the actual 70b user file I have modified the pins (because there is no pin 34 on the board).

// Setup for the ESP32 S3 with ILI9341 display
// Note SPI DMA with ESP32 S3 is not currently supported
#define USER_SETUP_ID 70
// See SetupX_Template.h for all options available
#define ILI9341_DRIVER

                    // Typical board default pins - change to match your board
#define TFT_CS   10 //     10 or 34 (FSPI CS0) 
#define TFT_MOSI 11 //     11 or 35 (FSPI D)
#define TFT_SCLK 12 //     12 or 36 (FSPI CLK)
#define TFT_MISO 13 //     13 or 37 (FSPI Q)

// Use pins in range 0-31
#define TFT_DC    7
#define TFT_RST   6

//#define TOUCH_CS 16 // Optional for touch screen

#define LOAD_GLCD
#define LOAD_FONT2
#define LOAD_FONT4
#define LOAD_FONT6
#define LOAD_FONT7
#define LOAD_FONT8
#define LOAD_GFXFF

#define SMOOTH_FONT

// FSPI (or VSPI) port (SPI2) used unless following defined. HSPI port is (SPI3) on S3.
//#define USE_HSPI_PORT

//#define SPI_FREQUENCY  27000000
#define SPI_FREQUENCY  40000000   // Maximum for ILI9341

#define SPI_READ_FREQUENCY  6000000 // 6 MHz is the maximum SPI read speed for the ST7789V

#define SPI_TOUCH_FREQUENCY 2500000

attached is a pic of my wiring, which I think is correct.

ESP32. TFT
3.3v to VCC. & LED
GRND to GRND
PIN 10 to CS
PIN 6 to RESET
PIN 7 to DC
PIN 11 to SDI (MOSI)
PIN 12 to SCK
PIN 13 to SDO (MISO)

[LED is jumper wire to VCC]

I try running th TFT_Matrix example (as well as a couple others) in the TFT_eSPI library (240x320). The code seems to upload to the board (ESP32 S3 Dev Module selected in the Arduino IDE).

Sketch uses 364387 bytes (27%) of program storage space. Maximum is 1310720 bytes.
Global variables use 21360 bytes (6%) of dynamic memory, leaving 306320 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 327680 bytes.
esptool v5.1.0
Serial port /dev/cu.wchusbserial5A460545781:
Connecting...
Connected to ESP32-S3 on /dev/cu.wchusbserial5A460545781:
Chip type:          ESP32-S3 (QFN56) (revision v0.2)
Features:           Wi-Fi, BT 5 (LE), Dual Core + LP Core, 240MHz, Embedded PSRAM 8MB (AP_3v3)
Crystal frequency:  40MHz
MAC:                98:a3:16:e2:f8:fc

Uploading stub flasher...
Running stub flasher...
Stub flasher running.
Changing baud rate to 921600...
Changed.

Configuring flash size...
Flash will be erased from 0x00000000 to 0x00004fff...
Flash will be erased from 0x00008000 to 0x00008fff...
Flash will be erased from 0x0000e000 to 0x0000ffff...
Flash will be erased from 0x00010000 to 0x00068fff...
Compressed 20224 bytes to 13061...

Writing at 0x00000000 [                              ]   0.0% 0/13061 bytes... 

Writing at 0x00004f00 [==============================] 100.0% 13061/13061 bytes... 
Wrote 20224 bytes (13061 compressed) at 0x00000000 in 0.5 seconds (335.7 kbit/s).
Hash of data verified.
Compressed 3072 bytes to 146...

Writing at 0x00008000 [                              ]   0.0% 0/146 bytes... 

Writing at 0x00008c00 [==============================] 100.0% 146/146 bytes... 
Wrote 3072 bytes (146 compressed) at 0x00008000 in 0.1 seconds (361.6 kbit/s).
Hash of data verified.
Compressed 8192 bytes to 47...

Writing at 0x0000e000 [                              ]   0.0% 0/47 bytes... 

Writing at 0x00010000 [==============================] 100.0% 47/47 bytes... 
Wrote 8192 bytes (47 compressed) at 0x0000e000 in 0.1 seconds (560.0 kbit/s).
Hash of data verified.
Compressed 364528 bytes to 197460...

Writing at 0x00010000 [                              ]   0.0% 0/197460 bytes... 

Writing at 0x0001c507 [=>                            ]   8.3% 16384/197460 bytes... 

Writing at 0x0002a713 [===>                          ]  16.6% 32768/197460 bytes... 

Writing at 0x00031eb8 [======>                       ]  24.9% 49152/197460 bytes... 

Writing at 0x000379cf [========>                     ]  33.2% 65536/197460 bytes... 

Writing at 0x0003d3d0 [===========>                  ]  41.5% 81920/197460 bytes... 

Writing at 0x00042a13 [=============>                ]  49.8% 98304/197460 bytes... 

Writing at 0x00048603 [================>             ]  58.1% 114688/197460 bytes... 

Writing at 0x0004e19d [==================>           ]  66.4% 131072/197460 bytes... 

Writing at 0x00056ed7 [=====================>        ]  74.7% 147456/197460 bytes... 

Writing at 0x0005cc22 [=======================>      ]  83.0% 163840/197460 bytes... 

Writing at 0x0006288b [==========================>   ]  91.3% 180224/197460 bytes... 

Writing at 0x00068bbb [============================> ]  99.6% 196608/197460 bytes... 

Writing at 0x00068ff0 [==============================] 100.0% 197460/197460 bytes... 
Wrote 364528 bytes (197460 compressed) at 0x00010000 in 3.2 seconds (916.5 kbit/s).
Hash of data verified.

Hard resetting via RTS pin...

But nothing happens on the screen. It just stays the same white LED blacklight. and the board has a red led (power?) and a flashing green LED. I have tried 3 ESP32S3's with the 2 different screens and they have all given me the same result --- nothing.

Apologies if this has been covered before. I tried to include as much info as possible, please let me know if I need to include more to get an answer. I'm so frustrated I'm very close to just throwing all of this in the trash. thanks

xfpd · February 1, 2026, 6:49pm

What is the pinout of the screen?

Especially... verify DC (data/command) is going to the right pin.

d-eastwood · February 1, 2026, 7:02pm

I’m sorry, I’m not sure what you mean

This is how I have everything wired
ESP32. TFT
3.3v to VCC. & LED
GRND to GRND
PIN 10 to CS
PIN 6 to RESET
PIN 7 to DC
PIN 11 to SDI (MOSI)
PIN 12 to SCK
PIN 13 to SDO (MISO)

The screen just shows a white black light

xfpd · February 1, 2026, 7:04pm

"Screen" or "pinout"?

Label the pins on your screen.
Your screen pins do not look soldered. Show an oblique/side-on picture of the screen pins.

d-eastwood · February 1, 2026, 8:22pm

sonofcy · February 1, 2026, 8:33pm

A breadboard poor connection is a good place to start. Instead of a breadboard, use female to female Dupont jumpers, no breadboard needed.

xfpd · February 1, 2026, 8:48pm

Show how the wires match the pins and labels... label each wire.

Are the pins on the screen soldered?

d-eastwood · February 1, 2026, 9:04pm

yeah they are soldered,

ESP32. TFT
3.3v to VCC. & LED
GRND to GRND
PIN 10 to CS
PIN 6 to RESET
PIN 7 to DC
PIN 11 to SDI (MOSI)
PIN 12 to SCK
PIN 13 to SDO (MISO)

is how everything is wired

xfpd · February 1, 2026, 9:07pm

But... if it was wired correctly, it would work...

Does the display run on 3v3 or 5?

Move D/C to another pin (wire and code). D/C from the ESP to the display could cause white screen.

d-eastwood · February 1, 2026, 9:07pm

Unfortunately I dont have any female to female jumpers. I do have some male to female so I tried those and still got the same results (blank screen). Then I tried a different display (this round 1.28" tft 240x240 GC9A01). I commented the correct driver for the GC9A01 and tried the Animated Eyes example in the TFT espi library and actually got something on the screen!
This tells me that either there is something wrong with the ILI9341 2.4" tft displays, OR something wrong with the driver itself?

d-eastwood · February 1, 2026, 9:23pm

you see my dilemma

I'm not sure the voltage. I assumed 3.3 cause its so small. Just tried 5v, no change. Also tried changing the DC pin in the 70b setup file to pin 9, didn't do anything on the screen

xfpd · February 1, 2026, 9:52pm

Did you change the wired pin?

And... what do you see with D/C wire removed?

d-eastwood · February 2, 2026, 1:42pm

yep changed the wired pin , nothing changed. nothing changed with the pin removed either.

these screens must be toast

xfpd · February 2, 2026, 1:54pm

I still think it is good because of the white screen.

Find a project with a similar screen and MCU. Follow its wiring, library and example. Some pins of some MCUs are reserved.

xfpd · February 2, 2026, 4:41pm

Are (pin?) definitions in the sketch or any included file overriding any definitions in other included files, like User_setup.h¿

mikemarcu · February 2, 2026, 11:20pm

I had a similar problem, and following the advice received here, meaning, to use Adafruit libraries made every thing much easier.

d-eastwood · February 3, 2026, 9:36pm

I think that is just the backlight led. and I don't see anything that would be overwriting the setup in the sketch code

// A fun MATRIX-like screen demo of scrolling
// Screen will flicker initially until fully drawn
// then scroll smoothly

// Needs GLCD font

/*
 Make sure all the display driver and pin connections are correct by
 editing the User_Setup.h file in the TFT_eSPI library folder.

 #########################################################################
 ###### DON'T FORGET TO UPDATE THE User_Setup.h FILE IN THE LIBRARY ######
 #########################################################################
*/

#include <TFT_eSPI.h> // Hardware-specific library
#include <SPI.h>

TFT_eSPI tft = TFT_eSPI();       // Invoke custom library

#define TEXT_HEIGHT 8 // Height of text to be printed and scrolled
#define BOT_FIXED_AREA 0  // Number of lines in bottom fixed area (lines counted from bottom of screen)
#define TOP_FIXED_AREA 0  // Number of lines in top fixed area (lines counted from top of screen)

uint16_t yStart = TOP_FIXED_AREA;
uint16_t yArea = 320 - TOP_FIXED_AREA - BOT_FIXED_AREA;
uint16_t yDraw = 320 - BOT_FIXED_AREA - TEXT_HEIGHT;
byte     pos[42];
uint16_t xPos = 0;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(115200);
  randomSeed(analogRead(A0));
  tft.init();
  tft.setRotation(0);
  tft.fillScreen(ILI9341_BLACK);
  setupScrollArea(TOP_FIXED_AREA, BOT_FIXED_AREA);
}

void loop(void) {
  // First fill the screen with random streaks of characters
  for (int j = 0; j < 600; j += TEXT_HEIGHT) {
    for (int i = 0; i < 40; i++) {
      if (pos[i] > 20) pos[i] -= 3; // Rapid fade initially brightness values
      if (pos[i] > 0) pos[i] -= 1; // Slow fade later
      if ((random(20) == 1) && (j<400)) pos[i] = 63; // ~1 in 20 probability of a new character
      tft.setTextColor(pos[i] << 5, ILI9341_BLACK); // Set the green character brightness
      if (pos[i] == 63) tft.setTextColor(ILI9341_WHITE, ILI9341_BLACK); // Draw white character
      xPos += tft.drawChar(random(32, 128), xPos, yDraw, 1); // Draw the character
    }
    yDraw = scroll_slow(TEXT_HEIGHT, 14); // Scroll, 14ms per pixel line
    xPos = 0;
  }

  //tft.setRotation(2);
  //tft.setTextColor(63 << 5, ILI9341_BLACK);
  //tft.drawCentreString("MATRIX",120,60,4);
  //tft.setRotation(0);

  // Now scroll smoothly forever
  while (1) {yield(); yDraw = scroll_slow(320,5); }// Scroll 320 lines, 5ms per line

}

void setupScrollArea(uint16_t TFA, uint16_t BFA) {
  tft.writecommand(ILI9341_VSCRDEF); // Vertical scroll definition
  tft.writedata(TFA >> 8);
  tft.writedata(TFA);
  tft.writedata((320 - TFA - BFA) >> 8);
  tft.writedata(320 - TFA - BFA);
  tft.writedata(BFA >> 8);
  tft.writedata(BFA);
}

int scroll_slow(int lines, int wait) {
  int yTemp = yStart;
  for (int i = 0; i < lines; i++) {
    yStart++;
    if (yStart == 320 - BOT_FIXED_AREA) yStart = TOP_FIXED_AREA;
    scrollAddress(yStart);
    delay(wait);
  }
  return  yTemp;
}

void scrollAddress(uint16_t VSP) {
  tft.writecommand(ILI9341_VSCRSADD); // Vertical scrolling start address
  tft.writedata(VSP >> 8);
  tft.writedata(VSP);
}

I feel like the screen may be missing a resistor or something. Is there supposed to be something in that U1 spot?

d-eastwood · February 3, 2026, 9:37pm

Which Adafruit libraries?

mikemarcu · February 3, 2026, 10:03pm

Here are the libraries, as well as a part of the sketch, as an example Do not forget to connect the ILI9341 LED pin to 3.3 v also.

#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_ILI9341.h>
#include <SPI.h>
#include <WiFiManager.h> // GitHub - tzapu/WiFiManager: ESP8266 WiFi Connection manager with web captive portal

// select which pin will trigger the configuration portal when set to LOW
#define TRIGGER_PIN 0

int timeout = 120; // seconds to run for
// For Feather M4 Express, these are the default pins.
// Adjust the pin numbers below based on your specific board and wiring.
#define TFT_CS 5
#define TFT_DC 16
#define TFT_RST 4

// Use hardware SPI
Adafruit_ILI9341 tft = Adafruit_ILI9341(TFT_CS, TFT_DC, TFT_RST);

void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
delay(2000);
pinMode(TRIGGER_PIN, INPUT_PULLUP);
tft.begin();
tft.setRotation(2);
tft.fillScreen(ILI9341_BLACK); // Clear the screen with black background
tft.setCursor(0, 20); // Set the cursor to the top-left corner
tft.setTextColor(ILI9341_YELLOW); // Set text color to white
tft.setTextSize(2); // Set text size (1 = 6x8 pixels, 2 = 12x16, etc.)
tft.println("Press connect button"); // Print the message
delay(1000);
while (digitalRead(TRIGGER_PIN) == HIGH) {
tft.println("\n Waiting for button");
delay(1500);
}

xfpd · February 4, 2026, 12:25am

I believe the pinning setup of the library is incorrect. Definitely try the Adafruit ILI9341 library with an example sketch from the library.

Topic		Replies	Views
ESP32-S3 Wroom: Probleme mit ESPI Deutsch	70	1722	March 29, 2025
TFT_eSPI ILI9341 not working Displays	9	1112	July 24, 2025
ESP32-S3 UNO and TFT shield screen Displays	19	1066	October 21, 2025
ESP32 C3 and TFT 128x160 (ST7735) Displays	18	2085	September 23, 2025
TFT_eSPI examples don't run General Guidance	38	1077	June 12, 2025

ESP32S3 - nothing happening on TFT

Related topics