# Why Wi‑Fi on the ESP starts only when it’s connected to a computer

**URL:** <https://forum.idryer.org/t/why-wi-fi-on-the-esp-starts-only-when-it-s-connected-to-a-computer/1738>\
**Category:** Firmware / Klipper / Portal\
**Created:** [March 17, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.idryer.org/t/why-wi-fi-on-the-esp-starts-only-when-it-s-connected-to-a-computer/1738 "2026-03-17T19:03:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![arnis\_harchenko\_507](https://forum.idryer.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@arnis\_harchenko\_507](https://forum.idryer.org/u/arnis_harchenko_507)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 7:03pm UTC](https://forum.idryer.org/t/why-wi-fi-on-the-esp-starts-only-when-it-s-connected-to-a-computer/1738/1 "2026-03-17T19:03:48Z")

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How can I tell why the Wi-Fi on the ESP only starts working when it’s connected to a computer? But if it’s powered directly from 5V or through the MCU, the Wi-Fi doesn’t work?

> **🇷🇺 Оригинал**
>
> как можно понять: почему wi-fi на esp начинает работать только в случае подключения к компу? а напрямую 5в или через mcu, wi-fi не пашет?

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**Author:** ![andrey\_kekht\_ko\_b5c0](https://forum.idryer.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/9de053/32.png) [@andrey\_kekht\_ko\_b5c0](https://forum.idryer.org/u/andrey_kekht_ko_b5c0)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 7:26pm UTC](https://forum.idryer.org/t/why-wi-fi-on-the-esp-starts-only-when-it-s-connected-to-a-computer/1738/2 "2026-03-17T19:26:07Z")

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Is it only the WiFi that isn’t working, or is the ESP itself not working too?

> **🇷🇺 Оригинал**
>
> А только WiFi не пашет или сама еспшка тоже?

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**Author:** ![ruslan\_p\_261](https://forum.idryer.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@ruslan\_p\_261](https://forum.idryer.org/u/ruslan_p_261)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 7:27pm UTC](https://forum.idryer.org/t/why-wi-fi-on-the-esp-starts-only-when-it-s-connected-to-a-computer/1738/3 "2026-03-17T19:27:59Z")

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I told you yesterday to wait a couple of days 😉  
But considering today’s madness, the countdown starts roughly tomorrow.

Basically, it’s because this needs to be updated, and that takes time.

I needed a guaranteed startup after connecting to the computer for debugging, so until I update it, it’ll wait for the serial connection to come up.

So it’s better to wait 😉

> **🇷🇺 Оригинал**
>
> Я тебе вчера писал подождать пару дней;)  
> Но с учётом сегодняшнего дурдома, отсчет примерно с завтра.
> 
> А вообще потому что это нужно обновить, а на это нужно время.
> 
> Мне нужен был гарантированный старт после конекта к компу для дебага, поэтому пока не обновлю, оно будет ждать пока сериал не поднимется
> 
> Так что лучше подождать;)

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**Author:** ![arnis\_harchenko\_507](https://forum.idryer.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/a/eb8c5e/32.png) [@arnis\_harchenko\_507](https://forum.idryer.org/u/arnis_harchenko_507)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 7:28pm UTC](https://forum.idryer.org/t/why-wi-fi-on-the-esp-starts-only-when-it-s-connected-to-a-computer/1738/4 "2026-03-17T19:28:45Z")

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but my hands are itching 🙂  
got it, I’ll hang out by the computer for now

> **🇷🇺 Оригинал**
>
> но руки-то чешутся 🙂  
> я понял, поживу пока у компа

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**Author:** ![ruslan\_p\_261](https://forum.idryer.org/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/r/f04885/32.png) [@ruslan\_p\_261](https://forum.idryer.org/u/ruslan_p_261)\
**Post date:** [March 17, 2026, 7:29pm UTC](https://forum.idryer.org/t/why-wi-fi-on-the-esp-starts-only-when-it-s-connected-to-a-computer/1738/5 "2026-03-17T19:29:22Z")

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Hang in there. Really, today just completely passed me by…🤷‍♂️

> **🇷🇺 Оригинал**
>
> Претерпи. Раельно, сегодняшний день прошел мимо меня…🤷‍♂️