Static IP Address
With multiple instances of WLED running, and the additional xLights layer, it's a really good idea to assign a static IP address to each of your controllers. That way if your router loses power or your projects get disconnected, they'll reconnect with the same address. If you use DHCP / dynamic addresses (the default in WLED), you may lose connectivity with your projects when the addresses change.
Under Config > WiFi setup, find the Static IP address fields. Enter the IP address you'd like to assign to your controller on the first line, and the static gateway IP address on the second line.
For most home routers, the gateway will be 192.168.1.1 and the IP should start with 192.168, then you can use either a 1 or a 0, and the final number should be unique to your microcontroller.
Note down the IP addresses you used as you'll need them when we set up xLights.
If you're not sure which IP addresses are available on your home network, you can download the Net Analyzer app from your favorite app store and connect it to your WiFi to see which addresses are used and which are free.
When dealing with a lot of instances of WLED, it's a great idea to give each instance a separate name in the Server Description field. This name will show up in browser tabs and also in the WLED Native app, which is recommended when you've got a lot of projects to keep track of.
WLED automatically limits the brightness of your project so your power supply doesn't get over-taxed. The default amperage is 850mA, which is a little low for most power supplies.
For some projects, especially battery-powered projects, having the limiter turned on is a good idea. But if you're not getting the brightness you expect, try adjusting this number to match the amperage of your power supply or battery pack.
Access Point (AP) Mode
While you're home, it's easy to control your project over your local WiFi network. But when you're out at a festival, you probably don't have WiFi access. It's still possible to connect to your project and control it using WLED's Access Point Mode.
Turn your project on and give it a minute or two to start broadcasting. Look in your WiFi networks and find WLED-AP - this is a mini WiFi network being broadcast by the microcontroller. Connect to it - the default password is "wled123". An instance of WLED will automatically pop up and you can control your project from anywhere.
If you're putting your lights up in public, it's a good idea to change the AP Mode default password so strangers can't log in and control your lights. This could be a security risk.
AP Mode only broadcasts for a few minutes after you boot up the board, so if you don't see the WLED-AP network try rebooting.
There are a couple different apps available to manage your WLED projects. Name and organize your projects, and find them quickly without having to type in a URL. Check the Apple or Android store for downloads.
My favorite is "WLED Native". It allows you to organize multiple instances and easily switch between devices without having to remember any URLs.
Under Config / Security & Updates, you will find a place to back up your data. It's a good idea to back up your config file as soon as you're happy with the settings. Save it as a .json file on your computer. Now you can prototype and experiment to your heart's content, and if everything breaks, just re-upload this file. Or, if you're doing another build, you can use this feature to copy all your settings from one board to another.
Page last edited September 04, 2025
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