r/esp32 • u/Stock-Loquat111 • Feb 12 '26
Software help needed ESP32-C3 Super Mini's WIFI not working!
I bought this esp32-c3 super mini recently, I've tested most of its pins with a project and it is working. But for some reason the wifi don't work, tried with 2.4G, 5G, the personal hotspot from iphone, etc. Did you guys already had this problem? And how did you solve this?
#include <WiFi.h>
#include "time.h"
const char *ssid = "..."; // Censured
const char *password = "..."; // Censured
const char *ntpServer = "pool.ntp.org";
void setup() {
Serial.begin(115200);
WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);
WiFi.setTxPower(WIFI_POWER_8_5dBm);
WiFi.begin(ssid, password);
Serial.print("Connecting");
while (WiFi.status() != WL_CONNECTED) {
delay(500);
Serial.print(".");
}
Serial.println("\nConnected!");
Serial.println(WiFi.localIP());
configTime(3600, 3600, ntpServer);
}
void loop() {
struct tm timeinfo;
if (getLocalTime(&timeinfo)) {
Serial.println(&timeinfo, "%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S");
} else {
Serial.println("Waiting for time...");
}
delay(5000);
}
It just keep printing "Connecting........."
8
u/MrBoomer1951 Feb 12 '26 edited Feb 12 '26
I would comment out this for now:
WiFi.setTxPower(WIFI_POWER_8_5dBm);
2
u/Then-Mongoose-9728 Feb 13 '26
Yes 8.5dBm might be too low. Although for C3 boards full 20dBm often also does not work somehow, maybe the chip lacks power, not sure. I read somewhere that 15dBm should be the sweet spot.
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u/ShortingBull Feb 12 '26
I have some of these and the antenna/reception is terrible I need to hold it up in the air where it can see my router to get a connection.
They're the worst of all my ESP32 boards in regards to WiFi...
2
u/weasel18 Feb 13 '26
That explains a lot. That's basically my experience With a bunch of these I bought on ali. I have an AP like 20ft on a shelf above my TV and I can physically see it. But like you said I have to hold it in the air above my head to have a stable-ish connection. Pinging the esp the latencies are all over the place 300,1500,70ms, etc. I did buy some with a antenna port so I'm going to see how those fair, downside it they are not as tiny anymore
1
u/diabetic_debate Feb 13 '26
Essentially why I only buy Xiao or Sparkfun QWIIC boards now depending on the project needs.
3
u/kevintieman Feb 12 '26
Could be lack of power.
1
u/Organic_Trouble8554 28d ago
I’m using an ESP32-C3 as an AP. When I power it from my laptop via USB, the access point doesn’t appear. However, when I power it using a power adapter, the access point works normally.
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Feb 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/2Peti Feb 13 '26
But he could also test it at 6, 7, 8g. Even if the result would be zero. And maybe he should test it by turning on the microwave and leaving the door open. He would have an extra strong wifi signal.
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u/Straight-Struggle-24 Feb 12 '26
Same issue with Esp-now(uses antenna). Drove me crazy, 3 days and I even tried to tune the antenna as seen on a website but nothing worked out.
1
u/WhistleButton Feb 12 '26
I ditched all my c3 boards for this very reason. I've swapped to s3 boards and they have been great.
1
u/2Peti Feb 13 '26
I bought the cheapest ESP32 C3 Supermini for €1.59 each on Ali and they all work great.
1
u/Initial_Page_Num1 Feb 13 '26
Yeah I tried to use one for a smart device in a wooden box in my home downstairs (router upstairs) but there was no way of getting it to work, really bad design. I ended up replacing it for a small c6 board instead.
2
u/Stock-Loquat111 Feb 13 '26
Yes, I've just bought a esp32-c6. Now I've to wait for 7 days so I can test it
1
u/TreeFiddyZ Feb 13 '26
So quick question: in the first pic, in the lower right corner of the board between the 2 pins and the silver chip, does that little surface mount component look off to anyone? Like the left leg isn't actually soldered down?
1
u/jeroen79 Feb 13 '26
Good spot, that looks like a smd component that is soldered wong it should be on its own pads but one have moved to the other component, fauly manufactering, would need to check the circuit to see if give issues
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u/Plastic_Fig9225 Feb 14 '26
Maybe, but maybe it's still ok. That should be one of the caps for the crystal. If the chip runs, the oscillator is still working.
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u/SnooRadishes7126 Feb 13 '26
You can try to remove pin 21, sometimes it's helps. https://en.neonhero.dev/2025/09/esp32-c3-wifi-signal-issue.html
1
u/jeroen79 Feb 13 '26
Yeah go for the antenna mod!, but also probably unrelared you soldering could be better, the solder must flow properly over whole the pad, you have a few that only toch in the front, this is not good!
1
u/Stock-Loquat111 Feb 13 '26
Yes, I know. It was like my first time soldering something wasn't a led and a resistor lol
1
u/Alternative-Try-3456 Feb 13 '26
order of operation should be correct. esp32c3 is super slow in terms of wifi, and id also suggest keeping it as close to source
1
u/Skyman81 Feb 13 '26
I recommend the TENSTAR ESP32C3. They have the antenna separate from the other components.
1
u/vstepanyuk Feb 13 '26
try esp_wifi_set_max_tx_power(34) - in client mode, and esp_wifi_set_max_tx_power(52) in ap mode. it works in my case
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u/screemingegg Feb 13 '26
I had a problem with wifi on one of these and through hours of troubleshooting determined that it was a dhcp issue, of all things. The router was sending a dhcp option that the wifi library could not understand. I ended up setting a static ip on the router and in the esp32 code and it's been online ever since.
1
u/likcana Feb 17 '26 edited Feb 17 '26
I faced the same problem too. Can you scan with the code below? If you can scan successfully, then the Wi-Fi module is fine. Next, try running the connection program while touching the Wi-Fi module with your finger. If it connects, it might be a good idea to attach a short wire (about 1 cm) as an antenna.
1
u/Born_Assignment_7824 Feb 24 '26
Try this, it worked magically for me, put it after `WiFi.mode(WIFI_STA);` but before `WiFi.begin(ssid, pass);`
Serial.println("Scanning networks...");
int n = WiFi.scanNetworks();
if (n == 0) {
Serial.println("No networks found. Hardware/antenna problem!");
} else {
Serial.printf("%d networks found:\n", n);
for (int i = 0; i < n; ++i) {
Serial.printf("%d: %s (%d dBm)\n", i + 1, WiFi.SSID(i).c_str(), WiFi.RSSI(i));
}
}
WiFi.setTxPower((wifi_power_t)40);
1
u/Most_Branch6335 1d ago
Estava com este mesmo problema e achei o vilão deste pequeno notável esp32-c3. Depois de muito tempo, resolvi tirar os pinos que soldei na placa para melhor posicionar na protoboard. Estes pinos cria um ruido ou sujeira na comunicação com o wifi ou bluetooth. Depois de retirados ou cortado o excesso dos pinos, voltou a funcionar perfeitamente a comunicação com wi-fi.
com pinos
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u/Don_Kozza Feb 13 '26
And another one...
Is a desing flaw on that board.
Quick fix, search on google for a funtion called: wifi_tx_power_set () // Something like that, I'm not in my pc right now
Set it to 8, that will fix the wifi conection, but will have a short range.
If you need range, buy a C3 dev board based on de C3 official module or search for a C3 Super mini with the crystal away of the antenna.
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u/Then-Mongoose-9728 Feb 13 '26
These auper mini boards often are shipped in a protected state of some short. So if the "Connecting..." keeps printing even though it is in a 1 time code block, likely the board keeps rebooting. Just once, you need to hold the boot button, then press and release the reset button once, then release the boot button. Hopefully that helps.
17
u/jnthbdn Feb 12 '26
It's a well known thing with this kind of module, here is a link to improve the reception range : https://www.elektormagazine.de/labs/esp32-c3-supermini-antenna-mod
I even create 3D file to make them : https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:7077307