ESP8266 (WiFi Boards) - AT Version Issues and Solutions

Unfortunately the Espressif ESP8266 based WiFi Boards that are available for sale routinely come with versions of the firmware that simply do not work with EX‑CommandStation. This now seems to include the recommended Makerfabs ESP8266 WiFi Shield.

Which is correct version of the AT firmware 

Only version 1.7.4 is known to work reliably.

That means all versions both before or after 1.7.4 are not suitable. So don’t be fooled in thinking that if it has a version later than that it will be ok. It won’t!

Symptoms of an Incorrect firmware Version 

There several common symptoms of a an incorrect firmware version

You can’t connect to the SSID.
You can connect to the SSID, but can’t connect your WiFi throttle (e.g. Engine Driver or wiThrottle) to the CommandStation.
You can connect once, but it will not connect again unless you re-start the EX‑CommandStation.

Find out Your AT Version 

It is important to find out which version of the firmware you board has and correct it if necessary.

There are two basic ways that you can check:

After you load the EX‑CommandStation software
Before you load the EX‑CommandStation software

Checking after you load the EX‑CommandStation software 

One you have loaded the EX‑CommandStation software you will be able to see the AT version in the start-up log by connecting the serial monitor in either the EX‑Installer or Arduino IDE (whichever you used to upload the EX‑CommandStation onto your device).

Checking the AT version using EX-Installer 

Once you have successfully loaded the EX‑CommandStation software:

click back through the pages of the EX‑Installer till you get to the ‘Select your Device’ screen
Click on the View device monitor button
A new window will open and a lot of text will appear
you need to look for a line that will have a section highlighted in green

e.g. AT version:1.7.4.0(May 11 2020 19:13:04)

Alternately, you can enter the command <+GMR> and click Send. A similar line will be shown.

If it says anything other than 1.7.4 in that line, then you have the wrong version you will need to follow the instructions at the end of this page to correct it.

Checking the AT version with the Arduino IDE 

If you loaded the EX‑CommandStation software using the Arduino, once you have successfully loaded the EX‑CommandStation software:

select Tools -> Serial monitor from the menus
A new pane will open at the bottom of the IDE window will open and a lot of text will appear
you need to look for a line similar to the following

e.g. AT version:1.7.4.0(May 11 2020 19:13:04)

Alternately, you can enter the command <+GMR> and click Send. A similar line will be shown.

If it says anything other than 1.7.4 in that line, then you have the wrong version you will need to follow the instructions at the end of this page to correct it.

Checking before you load the EX‑CommandStation software 

How to check before you load the EX‑CommandStation software will depend on which WiFi shield or board you are using.

Checking the AT version of a ESP-01 or ESP-01s 

Todo

Checking AT version ESP-01 prior to upload

There are a number of ways that you can check the AT version an a ESP-01 or ESP-01s:

with a USB Serial Adapter
with a USB to TTL CH340G Converter Module Adapter
with a Arduino Uno
ESP8266 Wifi Shield

Checking the AT version of a with a USB Serial Adapter

Connect the ESP01 to the serial adapter
Plug the serial adapter it the PC
Open the Arduino IDE
Select Tools -> Serial monitor from the menus
Select baud: 115200 and Both NL & CR
A new pane will open at the bottom of the IDE window will open
Enter the command AT+GMR and click Send.

It will reply with something like AT version:1.7.4.0(May 11 2020 19:13:04)

If it says anything other than 1.7.4 in that line, then you have the wrong version you will need to follow the instructions at the end of this page to correct it.

Checking the AT version of a with a USB to TTL CH340G Converter Module Adapter

Todo

Checking AT version with a USB to TTL CH340G Converter Module Adapter prior to upload

Checking the AT version of a with a Arduino Uno

Todo

Checking AT version with a Arduino Uno prior to upload

ESP8266 (WiFi Boards) - AT Version Issues and Solutions

Which is correct version of the AT firmware 

Symptoms of an Incorrect firmware Version 

Find out Your AT Version 

Checking after you load the EX‑CommandStation software 

Checking the AT version using EX-Installer 

Checking the AT version with the Arduino IDE 

Checking before you load the EX‑CommandStation software 

Checking the AT version of a ESP-01 or ESP-01s 

Checking the AT version of a with a USB Serial Adapter

Checking the AT version of a with a USB to TTL CH340G Converter Module Adapter

Checking the AT version of a with a Arduino Uno

Checking the AT version of a ESP8266 Wifi Shield 

Checking the AT version of a Duinopeak ESP8266 WiFi Expansion Board 

Checking the AT version of a Mega+WiFi 

What to do if you have the wrong version 

Correcting the AT version on a ESP-01 

Correcting ESP-01 With a USB Serial Adapter 

Correcting ESP-01 With a USB to TTL CH340G Converter Module Adapter 

Correcting ESP-01 With a Arduino Uno 

Correcting the AT version on a ESP8266 Wifi Shield 

Correcting the ESP8266 Wifi Shield With a USB to TTL Converter Module Adapter 

Correcting the AT version on a Duinopeak ESP8266 WiFi Expansion Board 

Correcting the AT version on a Mega+WiFi 