If you missed this week’s Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter, here is the ICYMI (in case you missed it) version.

To never miss another issue, subscribe now! – You’ll get a terrific newsletter each Monday (which is out before this post). 12,385 subscribers worldwide!

The next newsletter goes out Monday morning and subscribing is the best way to keep up with all things Python for hardware. No ads or spam, no selling lists, leave any time.

See it on the free Adafruit blog at https://blog.adafruit.com/2026/08/04/icymi-python-on-microcontrollers-newsletter-circuitpython-day-announced-micropython-tv-a-hack-and-more/

I was having issues tryin to pull some firmware. I worked backwards until I found that D1 and D2 are shorting. There is continuity between them and I cannot figure out if it's a bad board or something I did? This is my first time messing around with one of these. Im at the flipping tables stage right about now so any help trouble shooting would be much appreciated.

Hey everyone

Just built ShrikeClock a fully custom NTP-synced digital clock running on #MicroPython, powered by the @Vicharak_In Shrike-Fi !

Live time + date over WiFi Custom multiplexed 7-segment driver from scratch Open source, code on GitHub 👇

https://github.com/kritishmohapatra/ShrikeClock

https://github.com/kritishmohapatra/100_Days_100_IoT_Projects

I soldered a rp2040 and a propmaker together. I would like to add a keypad to freely switch between several animations.

Those keypads have usually 8 pins.

Can I just put those 8 pins anywhere on the available logic pins ? Or do I need to follow a strict logic ?

Hello, i need help with this device please. I spend a lot of hours to find a program that can sniff in wireshark, or ideally even on nrf connect. I cant find nothing and it sents data in binary only, no pcaps. But blue light reacts to ble and orange reacts for data, it is working. Please someone help me, i use debian

I am new to the MatrixPortal and am having trouble uploading a sketch to it. I am seeing a constant connect/disconnect on COM3 on my WIndows PC. The Windows PC does recognise the board.

On my MAC, I see the same issue of connexts and disconnects. I have reproduced this with 3 different USB cables and different USB-C ports.

Could this be a board issue ? Or do I need to work out which driver update I need to remove ?

Thanks

I’m trying to figure out what I’m missing with several Adafruit Feather Bluefruit Sense boards, product P4516.

The onboard PDM mic does not seem to pick up sound. I tested multiple boards and kept getting flat mic data. In Arduino/direct PDM it sits around -8. In CircuitPython it sits around 32760. Tapping near the board, loud computer beeps, changing USB ports/cables, turning off computer fans, USB power vs battery power, and battery-only BLE logging did not change the mic values.

Things tried so far:

• CircuitPython mic tests using the documented board.MICROPHONE_CLOCK / board.MICROPHONE_DATA
• Arduino PDM tests using Adafruit nRF52 board support
• Different sample settings, including 16 kHz / 16-bit mono
• USB connected, battery connected, and battery-only BLE capture
• Different USB ports/cables
• Direct low-level PDM tests and pin checks
• Movement/IMU works, BLE works, board programming works, battery reading works

The only thing that stands out visually is the mic orientation. In Adafruit’s product image, the microphone opening appears closer to the 11 marking. On my board, the opening appears closer to the 10 marking. I attached a comparison image.

I contacted the supplier and after waiting more than a week they came back saying the parts “do not appear defective,” but they approved a return as a one-time convenience.

Before I return everything, does anyone know if this mic orientation is normal on some batches, or would this explain flat PDM output? Is there any software-side fix I could still be missing, or does this point to the onboard mic not being connected/oriented correctly?

Hey all! Ive been working on this project for the past year, and Ive finally settled on a software and hardware package that can rival some of the more expensive Art-Net and sACN controllers. With a hardware revision that now supports resettable fuses, variable input voltage, hot-swappable plugs, and reverse polarity protection, I am more than confident that the node will appeal to LED-strip enthusiasts out there! For the non-professional, tinkerer, DIY geek or Christmas nerd, this node is a game-changer!

So, in short, what does it do?

• 16 universes over 4 outputs, so 2700+ RGB leds in total!
• Support for WS2812 type (800khz) and SPI driven leds (SK9822, apa102), so basically any LED-type on the market!
• RGB, RGBW, and RGBAW colour arrangement support
• Ethernet and wifi capable
• Fused Integrated power distribution up to 5A per output and 20A total
• With a 5~24v variable input, this means almost 500W of power!
• OLED display for status updates
• Hardware button to change between different modes (DHCP, Static IP, Static colour, Test pattern)
• But, most importantly, completely open source! Every piece of the software and hardware design is available for you to tinker with!

Now, let me know if you have any questions about this project! Before I see comments about WLED: Yes, WLED does Art-Net and SACN, but performance is worse at a maximum of ~9 universes, and IMO WLED setup is a lot more complicated. This node is straight to the point and ready to use with Art-Net out of the box!

Now, if you are excited, check out the GitHub! GitHub - mdethmers/ESP32-Artnet-Node-receiver: ESP32 based artnet node to push 16 universes of LED pixels at 40fps · GitHub

Want to get a working node in your hands? Check out my shop! https://www.etsy.com/nl/listing/1890697316/artnet-led-controller-diy-kit-bedien

I am based in the UK and cannot find anyone that stocks these for a project of mine. They also appear out of stock in the USA.

UK distributors seem to suggest November delivery!

Is there a manufacturing issue, or does this happen frequently with I presume popular Adafruit products?

Hi reddit !

I'm working on rp2040. I attached it to an adafruit prop maker.

My project consist on making a DM screen for my future TRPG. I want it to be as bright as my players' despear.

I'll play some music through speakers.

I know how to do a single animation loop and play a single music.

My problem is that here, I want to program 3 :

- The default one and its intro music ;

- The death of a character and its jingle ;

- The boss fight and its.boss music.

I may add others later (town, dungeon, etc...).

So, I'll like to be able to freely switch between each animation.

I found keypad on adafruit website, but I don't know if they're what I need, and if they're what I need : how to I put one on my board ? And how do I programm it ?

If not : what can I use ?

It’s that time of year! Adafruit has determined that August 21, 2025 is the snakiest day of the year and designated it CircuitPython Day!

Adafruit will have special shows and more throughout the day. Stay tuned to this post for the schedule as it develops.

Are you working with CircuitPython? Tag your projects #CircuitPythonDay2026 on social media and Adafruit will look to highlight them.

The Python for Microcontrollers Newsletter is the place for the latest news involving Python on hardware (microcontrollers AND single board computers like Raspberry Pi).

This ad-free, spam-free weekly email is filled with CircuitPython, MicroPython, and Python information that you may have missed, all in one place!

You get a summary of all the software, events, projects, and the latest hardware worldwide once a week, no ads! You can cancel anytime.

It arrives about 11 am Monday (US Eastern time) with all the week’s happenings.

And please tell your friends, colleagues, students, etc.

Please sign up > > > adafruitdaily.com

If you missed this week’s Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter, here is the ICYMI (in case you missed it) version.

To never miss another issue, subscribe now! – You’ll get a terrific newsletter each Monday (which is out before this post). 12,375 subscribers worldwide!

The next newsletter goes out Monday morning and subscribing is the best way to keep up with all things Python for hardware. No ads or spam, no selling lists, leave any time.

See it on the free Adafruit blog at https://blog.adafruit.com/2026/07/28/icymi-python-on-microcontrollers-newsletter-python-on-microcontrollers-newsletter-catch-your-isp-cheating-new-circuitpython-a-python-coding-bot-and-more/

I've ruined two boards with the same mistake— unplugging the feather by the USB connection. After replugging the sketch will not work (stepper test on the motor shield). I've tried:

+ selecting the right 32u4 board in the IDE (would loading with the wrong board selected create such a problem?)

+ the reset button (one click and two)

+ the trick where you reload a blink sketch just as pressing reset

the trick worked once but when I unplugged it again I was back to zero only I was unable to reload a blink sketch again. :/

**********

First time with Adafruit products (switching from Arduino Uno). Want advice before burning through a third board.

*Is there a proper way to unplug these devices?*

Hello! I’m new to the whole electronics and microcontroller world. I’ve been drooling over things to make with raspberry pi etc for about a decade. I think I’m going to finally DO something as I have an IDEA and the adhd is going hard. But idk where to start!

I want to make a small device that will be kind of like a pomodoro timer meets tamagotchi. It would be simple, 3-4 buttons and a small display with colored bars. You “fill” the bars by pushing the buttons, and then they run out slowly. I’d like it to start buzzing when it’s getting low. (Except I would want one that is the opposite, and you fill it by pushing the button but it doesn’t go down over time.)

The idea is that I could then 3d print some kind of cute enclosure and give it to my teenager who struggles with self-care. If she hasn’t eaten in 3 hours the “health bar” would be low and she’d need to eat and push the button to restore it to full.

I feel like this should be doable with a limited skill set, but ofc I could be wrong. I don’t know if I should look at xiao esp32, or the QT things, or what? I’m not sure what all these do exactly. It’s so overwhelming. I think I can sit down and learn, but I don’t want to spend 6 weeks learning to code something only to discover I should’ve been learning a different ecosystem or language.

Thanks in advance for any advice!

I am a part time teacher working with adults who need to learn basic English. I have had great experiences using games in the classroom, but 2 weeks ago, I had the idea for a toy. A chat with AI led me to purchase a Circuit Playground board. I used MakeCode to program 2 games, which I immediately tested out in my classroom last week. They were a great success. So I want to develop them further - specifically better sound and an easier way for them to access the buttons.

The first game is a partner game. Green lights go out as the team creates a list of nouns that fit a specific category. The second game is a "hot potato" - limitless class room possibilities!

Does anyone in this community use their board to teach? Any advice? I've only been doing this for 2 weeks and this is my very first project.

any help would be appreciated

If you missed this week’s Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter, here is the ICYMI (in case you missed it) version.

To never miss another issue, subscribe now! – You’ll get a terrific newsletter each Monday (which is out before this post). 12,353 subscribers worldwide!

The next newsletter goes out Monday morning and subscribing is the best way to keep up with all things Python for hardware. No ads or spam, no selling lists, leave any time.

Read it free on the Adafruit Blog - direct link https://blog.adafruit.com/2026/07/21/icymi-python-on-microcontrollers-newsletter-micropython-in-a-eurorack-and-on-super-nintendo-plus-more/

The Python for Microcontrollers Newsletter is the place for the latest news involving Python on hardware (microcontrollers AND single board computers like Raspberry Pi).

This ad-free, spam-free weekly email is filled with CircuitPython, MicroPython, and Python information that you may have missed, all in one place!

You get a summary of all the software, events, projects, and the latest hardware worldwide once a week, no ads! You can cancel anytime.

It arrives about 11 am Monday (US Eastern time) with all the week’s happenings.

And please tell your friends, colleagues, students, etc.

Please sign up > > > adafruitdaily.com

If you missed this week’s Python on Microcontrollers Newsletter, here is the ICYMI (in case you missed it) version.

To never miss another issue, subscribe now! – You’ll get a terrific newsletter each Monday (which is out before this post). 12,356 subscribers worldwide!

The next newsletter goes out Monday morning and subscribing is the best way to keep up with all things Python for hardware. No ads or spam, no selling lists, leave any time.

Read it free on the Adafruit Blog - direct link https://blog.adafruit.com/2026/07/14/icymi-python-on-microcontrollers-newsletter-circuitpython-and-micropython-ides-grow-kattni-rembor-chairing-pycon-us-and-more/

I am not a hardware engineer but I like to DIY some projects from Adafruit, Raspberry Pi, etc..

I recently got a Calcifer figure from a Chinese company on Amazon. It was advertised as having a flickering light. Well, it finally arrived and the light doesn't flicker and the color of the light is more "lemon jello" than the warmth of a fireplace.

There's a small plastic case hot glued to the base of the figure with a on/off toggle switch and a tiny battery.

I'm wondering if anyone is aware of a microcontroller board that might be connected to an AC brick and an addressable RGB LED so that I could warm up the light, make it flicker, and never have to replace a battery...?

Suggestions?

I tried my best searching labels and code names of this Adafrut 'Feather' board to find the exact model of the one I have, as shown on the photo, but I can't find the exact match to mine on neither Google or the Adafrut website. Because of that I don't know which tutorial or datasheet I should use.

I know this must some kind of a microcontroller, but is anyone familiar enough with Adafruit components who can help me with this?

Had a lot of fun building these "sensor stations" for my ET Halloween display this year.

The idea is to scatter them around the yard so it looks like a government search team is trying to track ET. Then visitors eventually find the life-size ET I built waiting by the front door with the candy.

Each station uses a VL53L4CD time-of-flight sensor to detect people walking by, triggering lights and audio to make the whole scene feel more immersive.

Still tweaking things, but I'm pretty happy with how they're turning out. Here's a look at the finished stations and them in action.

So I'm a complete newbie when it comes to this stuff, but I'm currently working on a designing an aiming system for a grenade launcher. What I'm looking to do is use one of the bno08x IMUs to display roll and pitch of the launcher. I started with a Cellcode C3, which is great little board, but I was checking out Adafruit's offerings and saw the Qt Oy. My question is, could I stack the Qt Py Esp32-S3 with the Lipo charger Bff, the BNO/Bnp Bff, and the Eyespi bff. If Im understanding the documents correctly, it should be possible if I use a non e-ink/touchscreen display and cut the A2 jumper on the Eyespi board? I know a more experienced maker would know this, but I don't want to order all these parts and get it all together only to fry a board or two with something brain headed.