ESP32-S3 Blink LED with Arduino IDE

Introduction

The Blinking LED project is the simplest and most effective way to get started with the ESP32-S3 DevKit-N16R8 Board. It introduces you to the concept of digital output control through code. In this beginner-friendly project, we use one of the digital GPIO pins on the ESP32-S3 to blink an LED by turning it on and off at regular intervals.

Required Components

• ESP32-S3 Board
• LED
• 220Ω Resistor
• Jumper Wires
• Breadboard

Pinout

• LED Anode (+)
• LED Cathode (-)

Circuit Diagram

• ESP32 GPIO 4 → 220Ω Resistor → LED (Anode +)
• ESP32 GND → LED (Cathode -)

Code / Programming

/*
Filename: ol_blink_LED.ino
Description: Simple LED blink code for ESP32-S3. Blinks an LED connected to GPIO4 every second.
Author: www.oceanlabz.in
Modification: 1/4/2025
*/
 
#define LED_PIN 4  // Define LED pin
 
void setup() {
  pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);  // Set LED pin as output
}
 
void loop() {
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);  // Turn LED ON
  delay(1000);                  // Wait 1 second
  digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);   // Turn LED OFF
  delay(1000);                  // Wait 1 second
}

Explanation

• Sets GPIO 4 as an output pin to control an LED.
• In the loop(), turns the LED ON for 1 second and then OFF for 1 second.
• Repeats this cycle endlessly to create a blinking effect.

Troubleshooting

• Check LED wiring: GPIO 4 → Resistor → Anode (+), Cathode (–) → GND.
• Ensure correct board & COM port in Arduino IDE; use a data-capable USB cable.
• If GPIO 4 doesn’t work, try GPIO 5 or 48; press BOOT during upload if needed.