# Wled randomly showing colours **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [17 May 2024 02:38 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967 "2024-05-17T02:38:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jonas269239](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jonas269239/32/10421_2.png) [@Jonas269239](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jonas269239)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 02:38 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/1 "2024-05-17T02:38:56Z")
I use a esp8266 with some ws2812b led strips with Less then a meter Anyway when I try to control them it goes the right colour then each led changes random colours some are off some are dim This is not a power issue because I unplug the esp board and the led strip remains the last colour ---
**Author:** ![Jack](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jack/32/9287_2.png) [@Jack](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jack)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 03:00 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/2 "2024-05-17T03:00:02Z")
Hi Jonas, Welcome to the forum! Can you share some pictures of your setup and an overview of what you are trying to achieve? Some sample code would also be nice. A bit more context will help us help you! ---
**Author:** ![Jonas269239](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jonas269239/32/10421_2.png) [@Jonas269239](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jonas269239)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 03:12 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/3 "2024-05-17T03:12:42Z")
I just installed Wled from the internet 🛜 And here are some photos ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/core_electronics/original/2X/b/b14aae9fa57fd6917951fd229b366cb3b38eb22e.jpeg) (this is when it’s supposed to be green) ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/core_electronics/original/2X/b/b87f1955b918a7683322cf4c886f20290e4f12d0.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Jack](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jack/32/9287_2.png) [@Jack](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jack)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 03:16 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/4 "2024-05-17T03:16:01Z")
How is everything being powered? ---
**Author:** ![Jonas269239](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jonas269239/32/10421_2.png) [@Jonas269239](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jonas269239)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 03:44 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/5 "2024-05-17T03:44:34Z")
A usb split up into wires (from a old led power wires) Plugged into a 5v 2amp usb brick And the esp is powered the same way but with micro usb. ---
**Author:** ![Michael99645](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/michael99645/32/11893_2.png) [@Michael99645](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Michael99645)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 04:00 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/6 "2024-05-17T04:00:21Z")
Not wanting to confuse the back and forth with @Jack My initial thoughts would be around the 3.3v data run from the controller to the first pixel. While 3.3v should be fine (the ws2812b are really 5v), I have seen bounce/reflection which can then lead to invalid data What is the data cable length between controller and the 1st led? I have seen and used a resistor inline on the run from the controller to led (to match the impedance and reduce reflections) can fix the issue. Actual value really would vary as its to match impendence, but for testing maybe 220-330 ohm to see if it helps. (Too low a value wont seem to make any difference, too high is likely to make it worse) edit: I assume the ground of the controller and led power have been joined? ---
**Author:** ![Pixmusix](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/pixmusix/32/9719_2.png) [@Pixmusix](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Pixmusix)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 04:15 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/7 "2024-05-17T04:15:59Z")
> [@Jonas269239](#): > > This is not a power issue because I unplug the esp board and the led strip remains the last colour So maybe it’s the code 🤷‍♂️ Some unstable variable ---
**Author:** ![Jack](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jack/32/9287_2.png) [@Jack](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jack)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 04:57 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/8 "2024-05-17T04:57:56Z")
> [@Michael99645](#): > > I assume the ground of the controller and led power have been joined? This was where my questions were going. Without that common ground the signal doesn’t mean too much. > [@Michael99645](#): > > I have seen bounce/reflection which can then lead to invalid data I haven’t heard of this before, [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_reflection) has a nice short article explaining it. > [@Pixmusix](#): > > So maybe it’s the code 🤷‍♂️ @Jonas269239 it would be great if you could share what you are running. ---
**Author:** ![Jonas269239](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jonas269239/32/10421_2.png) [@Jonas269239](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jonas269239)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 05:07 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/9 "2024-05-17T05:07:46Z")
![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/core_electronics/original/2X/f/f54afe9e029d605149e018b1f4711a8d4c96d9f5.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Jonas269239](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jonas269239/32/10421_2.png) [@Jonas269239](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jonas269239)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 05:08 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/10 "2024-05-17T05:08:35Z")
Here is what I am running ![image](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/uploads/core_electronics/original/2X/d/d96bf1bbf6140e45a703190615eaadbd70bfbe6d.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![Jack](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jack/32/9287_2.png) [@Jack](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jack)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 05:51 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/11 "2024-05-17T05:51:35Z")
Hi Jonas, Can you please share your code? ---
**Author:** ![Robert93820](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@Robert93820](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Robert93820)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 05:52 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/12 "2024-05-17T05:52:01Z")
Hi Jonas Looks like you are another one who uses a power bank as a power supply. There has been lots said about this. In a nutshell they are not and never have been power supplies. They are designed to charge something else and as such they don’t have to be particularly “clean”. I think the general consensus is that this practice is not recommended. Cheers Bob ---
**Author:** ![Dan](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/dan/32/10815_2.png) [@Dan](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Dan)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 06:01 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/13 "2024-05-17T06:01:13Z")
Hi Jonas, Another option to look into is to add a 330Ω resistor on the signal line, or adding in a [logic level shifter](https://core-electronics.com.au/logic-level-converter-bidirectional.html), as others have said though its likely going to be a power supply issue. ---
**Author:** ![Jonas269239](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jonas269239/32/10421_2.png) [@Jonas269239](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jonas269239)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 06:02 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/14 "2024-05-17T06:02:50Z")
I just downloaded it from Wled as a installer ---
**Author:** ![Jonas269239](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jonas269239/32/10421_2.png) [@Jonas269239](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jonas269239)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 06:03 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/15 "2024-05-17T06:03:20Z")
Do you mean a power bank or a power brick? ---
**Author:** ![Jonas269239](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jonas269239/32/10421_2.png) [@Jonas269239](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jonas269239)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 06:04 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/16 "2024-05-17T06:04:03Z")
So do I put a resister on the data line? ---
**Author:** ![Dan](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/dan/32/10815_2.png) [@Dan](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Dan)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 06:17 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/17 "2024-05-17T06:17:38Z")
Its is recommended as a [NeoPixel Best Practice](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-neopixel-uberguide/best-practices) from Adafruit, while it may not be needed, it won’t hurt at all. ---
**Author:** ![Jonas269239](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jonas269239/32/10421_2.png) [@Jonas269239](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jonas269239)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 06:23 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/18 "2024-05-17T06:23:04Z")
I’m sure the led strip is fine. I think it’s the esp. ---
**Author:** ![Robert93820](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ac91a4/32.png) [@Robert93820](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Robert93820)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 06:32 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/19 "2024-05-17T06:32:10Z")
> [@Jonas269239](#): > > Do you mean a power bank or a power brick? I thought they were the same thing. Cheers Bob ---
**Author:** ![Jonas269239](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex028/user_avatar/forum.core-electronics.com.au/jonas269239/32/10421_2.png) [@Jonas269239](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/u/Jonas269239)\ **Post date:** [17 May 2024 06:47 UTC](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967/20 "2024-05-17T06:47:53Z")
All of you were right I accidentally installed the beta of wled But now everything works! [Next page](https://forum.core-electronics.com.au/t/wled-randomly-showing-colours/19967.md?page=2)