Control a Servo Motor with ESP32

Understand the target result

Set servo angles and create a smooth sweep using an ESP32-compatible servo library. The expected result is: The servo moves to commanded angles without resetting the ESP32.

Prepare the board and parts

Disconnect the ESP32 from USB. Put the ESP32, breadboard, jumper wires, and the listed lesson parts in front of you. Straighten bent pins gently and never force a module into the breadboard.

Make each connection with power off

1. Servo signal wire → GPIO 13.
2. Servo power wire → suitable external 5V supply.
3. Servo ground → external supply GND.
4. Connect external supply GND to ESP32 GND. Do not power a loaded servo from the ESP32 3.3V pin.

Install any library and upload the code

Install the ESP32Servo library from Arduino Library Manager. Select your ESP32 board and serial port before clicking Upload.

#include <ESP32Servo.h>
Servo servo;
void setup() { servo.attach(13, 500, 2400); }
void loop() {
  for (int angle = 0; angle <= 180; angle += 2) { servo.write(angle); delay(20); }
  for (int angle = 180; angle >= 0; angle -= 2) { servo.write(angle); delay(20); }
}

Power the circuit and observe

Connect USB power only after the wiring check. Open Serial Monitor at 115200 baud when the sketch prints data. Watch the circuit for at least 20 seconds and compare it with this expected behavior: The servo moves to commanded angles without resetting the ESP32.

Change one value and test again

Make one small change—such as a delay, threshold, brightness, or displayed message—then upload again. This confirms that you understand which part of the program controls the result.