Fixing 0.96 Inch IPS ST7735 TFT LCD Display Issues With ESPHome

by ADMIN 64 views

Hey guys, are you wrestling with a 0.96 inch IPS Display ST7735 TFT LCD and ESPHome? Dealing with a screen that’s acting up, showing garbled images, or just plain refusing to light up? I feel you! This is a common issue, but don't worry, we're going to dig deep and sort it out. We'll cover everything from initial setup with the ST7735 component to troubleshooting those pesky display glitches.

Understanding the Problem: Displaying Issues

Okay, so you’ve got this cool little 0.96 inch IPS display with an ST7735 TFT LCD, and you're trying to get it running on your ESP32S3 using ESPHome. You've probably followed the standard setup, chosen the INITR_MINI160X80 model, and flashed the code. But instead of a clear, vibrant image, you might be seeing a jumbled mess, interference, off-center visuals, or just a blank screen. Sound familiar?

First off, let's get this straight: It’s not always straightforward with these displays, especially with the ST7735 driver. The problem usually arises from a few key factors. Maybe the wiring isn’t perfect, the configurations are slightly off, or there might even be a hardware issue with the display itself. It's crucial to check these things one by one. I have often seen that people have had issues with the SPI connections, especially the MOSI, CLK, DC, CS, and RST pins. A slight mix-up or loose connection here could mean the display won’t work.

Another headache might be the variety of these displays. They are not all exactly the same! Some come with different screen protectors, some might have slightly different pinouts, and sometimes the model numbers don’t quite align. The display resolution is another critical part of the puzzle. The user is trying to use 80x160, and sometimes this is the root of the issue. But don’t throw in the towel yet, guys. We’ll work through these issues.

Step-by-Step Troubleshooting

When tackling these display issues, start with the basics. Double-check all your connections. Make sure your MOSI (SDA), CLK (SCL), DC, CS, and RST pins are correctly wired to your ESP32S3. The most common problem is a mix-up in these pins, which prevents data from flowing correctly to the display.

Next, verify your ESPHome configuration. Let’s break down the important parts:

  • spi: This section defines the SPI communication. Make sure the mosi_pin, clk_pin, cs_pin, and reset_pin are correctly specified.
  • display: This part is about the display itself. The model setting is extremely important. Ensure you've chosen the one that best matches your display (INITR_MINI160X80 in this case). The dc_pin sets the data/command pin.
  • rotation: Correctly setting rotation is helpful if your display seems sideways or upside down. You can use values like 0, 90, 180, or 270 to fix the orientation. Make sure the value is properly set up.
  • device_width and device_height: These define the display’s dimensions. Double-check these against your display’s specifications.
  • col_start and row_start: These can help adjust the starting point of the display, which is useful if the display is not properly centered.
  • eight_bit_color: Depending on your display, this could be true or false.

Carefully go through these steps, because any incorrect setting could prevent the display from showing anything. Also, check the pinout of your specific display against the ESPHome configuration. These are the most common reasons why your display might be blank or garbled. If these are correct, let's get a bit more advanced and into the software.

Diving into the Code: ESPHome Configuration

Let's take a look at the provided YAML configuration. You provided the code for st7735 and ili9xxx, so let's break them down. Pay close attention to all the details. The configuration provided by the user is as follows.

spi:
  mosi_pin:  #SDA
    number: GPIO35
  clk_pin:  #SCL
    number: GPIO36
#  interface: any
display:
  - platform: st7735
    model: "INITR_MINI160X80"
    reset_pin: 15
    cs_pin: 17
    dc_pin: 16
    rotation: 180
    device_width: 80
    device_height: 160
    col_start: 0
    row_start: 0
    eight_bit_color: true
    update_interval: 5s
    lambda: |-
      it.print(0, 10, id(font_1), "Hello World!");
      auto black = Color(0, 0, 0);
      auto red = Color(255, 0, 0);
      auto green = Color(0, 255, 0);
      auto blue = Color(0, 0, 255);
      auto white = Color(255, 255, 255);
      it.filled_circle(32, 20, 15, black);
      it.filled_circle(32, 40, 15, red);
      it.filled_circle(32, 60, 15, green);
      it.filled_circle(32, 80, 15, blue);
      it.filled_circle(32, 100, 15, white);
      it.filled_circle(100, 32, 15, white)
font:
  - file: "gfonts://Roboto"
    id: font_1
    size: 15

In this config, the SPI pins are defined correctly. Pay close attention to the cs_pin, dc_pin, and reset_pin. All these pins are critical for proper operation. Then, we are using the correct model and the display settings are correct, the rotation is set to 180, which is probably the right setting. The dimensions match the specified dimensions of the display and the lambda code is just rendering some shapes on the display.

Now, look at the ili9xxx configuration. This is another option, but it does not seem to work. Let's see what's going on.

#display:
#  - platform: ili9xxx
#    model: st7789v
#    id: my_display
#    dimensions:
#      height: 160
#      width: 80
#    transform:
#      swap_xy: true
#      mirror_x: true
#      mirror_y: false #true
#    color_order: bgr
#    invert_colors: true
#    data_rate: 20MHz
#    cs_pin: GPIO17
#    dc_pin: GPIO16
#    reset_pin: GPIO15
#    lambda: |-
#      it.print(0, 10, id(font_1), "Hello World!");
#      auto black = Color(0, 0, 0);
#      auto red = Color(255, 0, 0);
#      auto green = Color(0, 255, 0);
#      auto blue = Color(0, 0, 255);
#      auto white = Color(255, 255, 255);
#      it.filled_circle(32, 20, 15, black);
#      it.filled_circle(32, 40, 15, red);
#      it.filled_circle(32, 60, 15, green);
#      it.filled_circle(32, 80, 15, blue);
#      it.filled_circle(32, 100, 15, white);
#      it.filled_circle(100, 32, 15, white);

The ili9xxx component is commented out, but it's good to keep it here. It is a good option to use. If the display still isn't working, try uncommenting it and test if it works.

Advanced Troubleshooting: Hardware and Software

If you’ve done all the basic checks and are still facing issues, it’s time to get a little more in-depth. First, test your hardware. Try a different ESP32S3 or a different 0.96 inch IPS Display if possible. You want to isolate whether the problem lies with the ESP32S3 or the display itself. Swapping hardware can quickly tell you which component is the problem. Another useful test is using an oscilloscope to verify the SPI communication signals, but this is a bit more advanced.

Check the Datasheet

One extremely important step is to refer to the datasheet of your specific display. Datasheets can sometimes reveal crucial details about the display’s initialization sequence, timing requirements, and even potential hardware quirks. The datasheet provided in the question is helpful. It can clarify pin configurations and model specifics, helping you fine-tune your ESPHome configuration. The specifications include:

  • Resolution: 80x160 pixels.
  • Driver IC: ST7735S.
  • Interface: SPI

Using the Arduino Library

If you are still stuck, you could also try using the Arduino library for the ST7735 display. Install the library in the Arduino IDE and try to run the example code. If it works, then it indicates that the display is working. Then, you can compare the pin settings and display initialization sequence of the Arduino code to the ESPHome configuration.

Software Tweaks

Sometimes, it's not a hardware issue. It might be something in your software configuration that causes problems. Check the model again, and re-check the dc_pin, cs_pin, and reset_pin values. Also, update to the latest ESPHome version. Sometimes there are fixes for specific display driver issues in newer versions.

Final Checks and Adjustments

Even after trying all these steps, you might still need to make some small adjustments. Be patient, and test one change at a time. Also, you can try adjusting the refresh rate or the update interval in ESPHome to see if this helps. Sometimes, a slow refresh rate is better for stability.

Key things to keep in mind

  • Double-check all connections: Make sure the wiring is perfect, and the pins are correctly connected.
  • Verify the model: The model setting must be the correct one in the YAML file.
  • Refer to the Datasheet: The datasheet can reveal useful information about your display.
  • Use a logic analyzer (advanced): This will help you to see the signal being sent to the display.

Conclusion: Persistence Pays Off

Troubleshooting these 0.96 inch IPS displays can be a bit of a puzzle, but stick with it! By meticulously checking your hardware, scrutinizing your ESPHome configuration, and understanding the specific details of your display, you'll get there. Hopefully, these steps will help you get your display up and running. Remember to be patient, work systematically, and don't hesitate to ask for help from the ESPHome community. Good luck, guys, and happy hacking! If you have any other problems, just ask!