# Wled setup not working, please help! **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions\ **Created:** [April 26, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-setup-not-working-please-help/15257 "2026-04-26T18:46:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![merliq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@merliq](https://wled.discourse.group/u/merliq)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2026, 6:46pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-setup-not-working-please-help/15257/1 "2026-04-26T18:46:14Z")
Hello everyone, I’m new to this and everything I’ve done so far has been by following tutorials and YouTube videos. I have this project with around 100 LEDs, but no matter how much I search, I can’t find the problem. The LEDs won’t turn on. I already replaced the ESP with another one and changed the power supply, so it must be something else. If I keep the data wire connected to the ESP, I can’t connect to the app. If I disconnect the data wire, I’m able to access the app and adjust settings. Sometimes, with the data wire disconnected, when I power on the system, some LEDs turn on—but not always, and they don’t always light up the same way. Does anyone know what might be happening? ![WLED](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/5/50f2f656aaa66697b0e8a0b37fbb712b8b3c2974.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![ArnaudTD](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7c8e57/32.png) [@ArnaudTD](https://wled.discourse.group/u/ArnaudTD)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 2:54pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-setup-not-working-please-help/15257/2 "2026-04-27T14:54:17Z")
Hi, to control your LEDs, you need a level shifter, your 3.3V from esp may not be enough. [https://kno.wled.ge/basics/wiring-guides/](https://kno.wled.ge/basics/wiring-guides/) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/free1/uploads/wled/original/2X/9/9cbbc5e34f4b4cafe8e379c259173147855f81cc.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![saratoga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3d9bf3/32.png) [@saratoga](https://wled.discourse.group/u/saratoga)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 3:32pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-setup-not-working-please-help/15257/3 "2026-04-27T15:32:35Z")
> [@merliq](#): > > If I keep the data wire connected to the ESP, I can’t connect to the app. You mean connecting the D4 pin prevents the device from booting when connected? If so I would double check that you don’t have some wiring mistake not in your diagram. Additionally, if you want to have some chance of that working without a level shifter, you should tie the grounds together at the strip, not at the power supply. ---
**Author:** ![merliq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecb155/32.png) [@merliq](https://wled.discourse.group/u/merliq)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 3:44pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-setup-not-working-please-help/15257/4 "2026-04-27T15:44:40Z")
I’m going to try tying the grounds together at the strip. The moment I connect the data cable to the ESP, I lose connection with the app. ---
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2026, 10:01pm UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-setup-not-working-please-help/15257/5 "2026-04-27T22:01:11Z")
On an Esp8266 gpio 2 must be High at boot or the Esp will not boot. There may be something with your wiring that is pulling it low. If using LED strip make sure there is no bridged connections where the wires are soldered to the strip. Edit: Or maybe you have a weird strip. Try leaving the BI of the strip floating (generally not a good idea, but just as a test..) and see if it boots. ---
**Author:** ![Cyberdine](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/free1/user_avatar/wled.discourse.group/cyberdine/32/6687_2.png) [@Cyberdine](https://wled.discourse.group/u/Cyberdine)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2026, 10:44am UTC](https://wled.discourse.group/t/wled-setup-not-working-please-help/15257/6 "2026-05-03T10:44:49Z")
What he said. Grounds. Shorts. Voltage. Pin selection.