Customer:
I recently got an Inkplate 10, but I can’t seem to get the e-ink panel to update. It’s just stuck on the factory “I’m your new inkplate” image.
Here is what I’ve checked so far:
Software: I’m using the ESP32 Wrover Module profile with PSRAM Enabled. My test code runs perfectly.
Serial output: The monitor confirms ESP.getPsramSize() is finding the memory, and display.begin() returns true. It reaches display.display() without crashing.
Power: I’m running it off a high-power 5V wall charger to rule out USB brownouts.
Despite the ESP32 doing its job and reporting success, the physical screen does absolutely nothing. There is no flickering, no clearing, just dead silence from the panel.
Since the chip is communicating but the ink isn’t moving, could this be a faulty FPC cable/panel? Or is there a specific physical trick or setting I’ve completely overlooked on this board version?
Originally submitted via email support on 8 March 2026. Migrated to the forum for community visibility.
Soldered Support:
To use Inkplate, you need to use the Inkplate library and board definition. Check out the getting started guide at Inkplate 10 - Quick start guide | Soldered Documentation
If your Inkplate is not updating, try the ‘e-Radionica Inkplate 10’ board definition instead of the ‘Soldered Inkplate 10’ board definition.
The ESP32 Dev-Module board definition will work and upload code OK, but the Inkplate library requires the correct board definition which has fine tuning compared to the original one.
Customer:
I’ve updated my settings to the e-Radionica Inkplate 10 board definition and enabled PSRAM, but I’m still not having any luck. The code actually uploads perfectly, and I can see through the Serial Monitor that the ESP32 is alive and running the script. However, the screen itself is completely frozen on the factory “Let’s get started… press the WAKE button!” image. Even when I call the begin or clear functions in my code, there isn’t a single flicker or any sign of movement in the ink at all. I’ve tried pressing the Wake button multiple times while powered via USB, but nothing happens on the display. Before I look into a replacement, are there any hardware-specific steps I should take? Anything to look for other than the obvious blue power LED?
Soldered Support:
If you have recently bought the Inkplate, your board definition should be the Soldered Inkplate 10 one rather than the e-radionica one, especially if it doesn’t have a blue PCB.
Try running this basic code to rule out a software error:
// Next 3 lines are a precaution, you can ignore those, and the example would also work without them
#if !defined(ARDUINO_INKPLATE10) && !defined(ARDUINO_INKPLATE10V2)
#error "Wrong board selection for this example, please select e-radionica Inkplate10 or Soldered Inkplate10 in the boards menu."
#endif
#include "Inkplate.h" // Include the Inkplate library
Inkplate display(INKPLATE_1BIT); // Create an Inkplate object for Inkplate6 FLICK
void setup() {
display.begin(); // Initialize the display hardware
display.clearDisplay(); // Clear the frame buffer (does NOT clear the physical screen)
display.setCursor(10, 10); // Set the text position to (10, 10) pixels
display.setTextSize(6); // Set text size to 6 (default is 1)
display.print("Hello World!"); // Print "Hello World!" at the set position
display.display(); // Refresh the e-paper display to show changes
}
void loop() {
// No code needed here for this example
}
Also check if the panel cable at the back of the PCB is seated properly. The cable could have become loose in shipping, which causes it to be unresponsive.