ESP32 Button Controlled LED with Arduino IDE

Introduction

This project introduces digital input handling with ESP32. A push button will be used to control an LED, turning it on when the button is pressed and off when released.

Required Components

• ESP32 Board
• LED
• 220Ω, 10KΩ Resistor
• Push Button
• Jumper Wire
• Breadboard

Pinout

• Switch Pinouts
  • Button Pressed: When you press the button, the metal contacts inside touch, creating a connection. This allows electricity to flow, completing the circuit.
  • Button Released: When you release the button, the contacts separate, breaking the connection. This stops the flow of electricity, turning off whatever device it’s controlling.

• LED Pinout
  • LED Anode (+)
  • LED Cathode (-)

Circuit Diagram

• ESP32 GPIO 5 → 220Ω Resistor → LED (Anode +)
• ESP32 GND → LED (Cathode -)
• ESP32 GPIO 18 → One Side of Push Button
• ESP32 GND → One Side of Push Button
• ESP32 3.3V → One Side of Push Button

Code / Programming

/*
Filename: ol_button_led_control.ino  
Description: ESP32 program to control an LED using a push-button. LED turns ON when the button is pressed and OFF when released.  
Author: www.oceanlabz.in  
Modification: 1/4/2025  
*/

#define LED_PIN 5          // GPIO 5 connected to LED
#define BUTTON_PIN 18      // GPIO 18 connected to push button

void setup() {
  pinMode(LED_PIN, OUTPUT);                     // Set LED pin as output
  pinMode(BUTTON_PIN, INPUT_PULLUP);            // Set button pin as input with internal pull-up resistor
}

void loop() {
  int buttonState = digitalRead(BUTTON_PIN);    // Read the button state

  if (buttonState == LOW) {                     // If button is pressed (LOW)
    digitalWrite(LED_PIN, HIGH);                // Turn LED ON
  } else {
    digitalWrite(LED_PIN, LOW);                 // Turn LED OFF
  }
}

Explanation

• Push button is connected to GPIO 18 with an internal pull-up resistor.
• When the button is pressed, GPIO 18 reads LOW, and the LED turns on.
• When the button is released, GPIO 18 reads HIGH, and the LED turns off.

Troubleshooting

• LED Not Responding? Check if GPIO 18 is correctly connected to the button.
• LED Always ON? Ensure pull-up resistor is enabled or manually add a 10kΩ resistor.
• Button Not Working? Try changing GPIO 18 to another pin in the code.