# Quick-Start the Pico W WiFi with CircuitPython ## Overview ![](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/115/888/medium800/adafruit_products_hero.jpg?1665764805) The Raspberry Pi Foundation changed single-board computing [when they released the Raspberry Pi computer](https://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/723), now they're ready to do the same for microcontrollers with the release of the brand new  **Raspberry Pi Pico W**. This low-cost microcontroller board features their powerful new chip, the  **RP2040** , and all the fixin's to get started with IoT embedded electronics projects at a stress-free price. Raspberry Pi Pico W brings WiFi to the Pico platform while retaining complete pin compatibility with its older sibling, [and now as of CircuitPython 8.0.0-beta.2](https://blog.adafruit.com/2022/10/13/circuitpython-8-0-0-beta-2-released/), there is CircuitPython WiFi support for the Pico W! This guide includes examples for testing your WiFi connection, using requests to pull JSON feeds, ping API's and log sensor data for IoT projects; all using CircuitPython! ## Status Bar As of [CircuitPython 8.0.0](https://blog.adafruit.com/2022/10/01/circuitpython-8-0-0-beta-1-released/), if you have a smart terminal program like [Thonny](https://thonny.org/), [tio](https://github.com/tio/tio) or [Screen](https://www.gnu.org/software/screen/manual/screen.html#Virtual-Terminal), you will see the status of your CircuitPython board in the header bar of the terminal. If you have an error while running your code, the status bar will tell you what line of code was running when the error occurred, as well as the type of error. ![adafruit_products_statusBarError.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/115/913/medium640/adafruit_products_statusBarError.jpg?1665785705) Additionally, if you end the program from the shell with a `KeyboardInterrupt`, that information will be displayed in the status bar. ![adafruit_products_keyboardInterruptThonny.jpg](https://cdn-learn.adafruit.com/assets/assets/000/115/914/medium640/adafruit_products_keyboardInterruptThonny.jpg?1665785778) ## About the Code Examples WiFi and networking are complicated and have many failure states. Rather than having extensive code to detect and recover from each specific kind of failure, the examples here use `microcontroller.reset()` which fully re-initialize both the microcontroller and the WiFi co-processor and start the code again with a clean slate. The general pattern is: ```python try: your_application_here() except Exception as e: print("Error:\n", str(e)) print("Resetting microcontroller in 10 seconds") time.sleep(10) microcontroller.reset() ``` ## Parts ### Raspberry Pi Pico W [Raspberry Pi Pico W](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5526) The Raspberry Pi foundation changed single-board computing [when they released the Raspberry Pi computer](https://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/723), now they're ready to do the same for microcontrollers with the release of the brand new **Raspberry Pi Pico W**. This... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5526) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5526/guides) ![Angled shot of a green microcontroller with castellated pads.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5526-01.jpg) ### Fully Reversible Pink/Purple USB A to micro B Cable - 1m long [Fully Reversible Pink/Purple USB A to micro B Cable - 1m long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111) This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pink and purple Blinka-like pattern, it's also fully reversible! That's right, you will save _seconds_ a day by not having to flip the cable around. First let's talk about the cover and over-molding. We got these... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4111/guides) ![Fully Reversible Pink/Purple USB A to micro B Cable](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4111-02.jpg) ### Adafruit AHT20 - Temperature & Humidity Sensor Breakout Board [Adafruit AHT20 - Temperature & Humidity Sensor Breakout Board](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4566) The AHT20 is a nice but inexpensive temperature and humidity sensor [from the same folks that brought us the DHT22](https://www.adafruit.com/product/385). You can take sensor readings as often as you like, and it uses standard I2C so its super easy to use with any Arduino or... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4566) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4566/guides) ![Angled Shot of the Adafruit AHT20 Temp+Hum Sensor - Assembled PCB](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4566-04.jpg) ### Solderless Breadboard for Raspberry Pi Pico by Monk Makes [Solderless Breadboard for Raspberry Pi Pico by Monk Makes](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5422) It can be tricky to work out which pin is which when the [Raspberry Pi Pico](https://www.adafruit.com/?q=raspberry+pi+pico&sort=BestMatch) is attached to solderless breadboard. Luckily, the **[MonkMakes](https://monkmakes.com/)** **Breadboard for...** In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5422) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5422/guides) ![Half-size breadboard with a soldered skinny green microcontroller.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/5422-03.jpg) ### STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin to Premium Male Headers Cable [STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin to Premium Male Headers Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4209) This 4-wire cable is a little over 150mm / 6" long and fitted with JST-SH female 4-pin connectors on one end and premium Dupont male headers on the other. Compared with the chunkier JST-PH these are 1mm pitch instead of 2mm, but still have a nice latching feel, while being easy to insert... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4209) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4209/guides) ![Angled Shot of the STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin to Premium Male Headers Cable.](https://cdn-shop.adafruit.com/640x480/4209-05.jpg) - [Next Page](https://learn.adafruit.com/pico-w-wifi-with-circuitpython/installing-circuitpython.md) ## Featured Products ### Raspberry Pi Pico W [Raspberry Pi Pico W](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5526) The Raspberry Pi foundation changed single-board computing [when they released the Raspberry Pi computer](https://www.raspberrypi.org/archives/723), now they're ready to do the same for microcontrollers with the release of the brand new **Raspberry Pi Pico W**. This... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5526) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5526/guides) ### Fully Reversible Pink/Purple USB A to micro B Cable - 1m long [Fully Reversible Pink/Purple USB A to micro B Cable - 1m long](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111) This cable is not only super-fashionable, with a woven pink and purple Blinka-like pattern, it's also fully reversible! That's right, you will save _seconds_ a day by not having to flip the cable around. First let's talk about the cover and over-molding. We got these... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4111) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4111/guides) ### Adafruit AHT20 - Temperature & Humidity Sensor Breakout Board [Adafruit AHT20 - Temperature & Humidity Sensor Breakout Board](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4566) The AHT20 is a nice but inexpensive temperature and humidity sensor [from the same folks that brought us the DHT22](https://www.adafruit.com/product/385). You can take sensor readings as often as you like, and it uses standard I2C so its super easy to use with any Arduino or... In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4566) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4566/guides) ### Solderless Breadboard for Raspberry Pi Pico by Monk Makes [Solderless Breadboard for Raspberry Pi Pico by Monk Makes](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5422) It can be tricky to work out which pin is which when the [Raspberry Pi Pico](https://www.adafruit.com/?q=raspberry+pi+pico&sort=BestMatch) is attached to solderless breadboard. Luckily, the **[MonkMakes](https://monkmakes.com/)** **Breadboard for...** In Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/5422) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/5422/guides) ### STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin to Premium Male Headers Cable [STEMMA QT / Qwiic JST SH 4-pin to Premium Male Headers Cable](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4209) This 4-wire cable is a little over 150mm / 6" long and fitted with JST-SH female 4-pin connectors on one end and premium Dupont male headers on the other. Compared with the chunkier JST-PH these are 1mm pitch instead of 2mm, but still have a nice latching feel, while being easy to insert... Out of Stock [Buy Now](https://www.adafruit.com/product/4209) [Related Guides to the Product](https://learn.adafruit.com/products/4209/guides) ## Related Guides - [Adafruit AHT20 Temperature & Humidity Sensor](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-aht20.md) - [Quick Start: Pico W / 2W with WipperSnapper](https://learn.adafruit.com/quick-start-the-pico-w-with-wippersnapper.md) - [Modern Replacements for DHT11 and DHT22 Sensors](https://learn.adafruit.com/modern-replacements-for-dht11-dht22-sensors.md) - [Pico W PiCowBell Case](https://learn.adafruit.com/pico-w-picowbell-case.md) - [No-Code IoT Humidity and Temperature Sensor with Adafruit IO WipperSnapper](https://learn.adafruit.com/no-code-humidity-and-temp-tracker.md) - [Gemma M0 Sheikah Pendant](https://learn.adafruit.com/gemma-m0-sheikah-pendant.md) - [Networking in CircuitPython](https://learn.adafruit.com/networking-in-circuitpython.md) - [Adafruit AS7343 14-Channel Light / Color Sensor Breakout](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-as7343-14-channel-light-color-sensor-breakout.md) - [Adafruit USB Host BFF](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-usb-host-bff.md) - [Adafruit Audio BFF](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-audio-bff.md) - [Not A Typewriter](https://learn.adafruit.com/not-a-typewriter.md) - [Adafruit Feather M4 Express](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-feather-m4-express-atsamd51.md) - [Adafruit TSL2591 High Dynamic Range Digital Light Sensor](https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-tsl2591.md) - [NeoPixel GoPro Lens Light](https://learn.adafruit.com/neopixel-gopro-lens-light.md) - [Blurry Analog Clock](https://learn.adafruit.com/blurry-analog-clock.md)