How to upload a sketch to NodeMCU in the Windows environment

Sometimes when you purchase a new ESP8266 NodeMCU CP2102 board, you are unable to upload any sketch to it. On this board, is a chip CP2102, which is used to implement a USB-to-UART bridge that enables the USB program ability of the board.

This chip CP2102 requires a USB-to-serial driver typically not installed on Windows or MAC OS computers/laptops. Hence we need to install this driver manually in order to upload a sketch to the NodeMCU board.

These are some of the guidelines that you can follow in order to install a USB-to-serial driver for Windows OS and upload your sketch to the NodeMCU board:-

1. In Arduino IDE, go to File →Preferences. Copy(Ctrl+C) and paste(Ctrl+V) this URL “https://arduino.esp8266.com/stable/package_esp8266.com_index.json” in Additional Board Manager URLs row and click on →OK
2. In Arduino IDE, go to Tools →Boards: →Board Manager. Search for “esp8266” by esp8266 community →Install→Close
3. Go to https://www.silabs.com/developers/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers→Downloads →Select CP210x VCP Windows. Download this zip file, and extract its contents.
4. Run CP210xVCPInstaller_x64/x86 depending on your Windows OS architecture i.e. x64 or x86 and install.                              
5. Restart Arduino IDE. Connect the NodeMCU board to your computer/laptop via USB data cable. If connected properly, you should hear a notification sound on your computer/laptop. Also if the NodeMCU board is working optimally, its BUILTIN-LED will flash once.
6. Now, go to Computer →Right-click and go to Properties →Device Manager →Ports (COM &LPT) →Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COM10). When you are able to view this option, it means that your NodeMCU has been successfully recognised by your Windows OS via USB-to-serial driver. Note that the COM port number may be different depending on your computer/laptop.
7. If the installation is successful, the NodeMCU connected via USB data cable to your computer/laptop will be detected by the Windows OS.
8. In Arduino IDE, go to File →Examples →ESP8266 →Blink
9. In Arduino IDE, go to Tools →Boards: →NodeMCU 1.0 (ESP-12E Module) →Port →COM10. Again note that the COM port number may differ depending on your computer/laptop.
10. Compile the sketch and upload the sketch to the NodeMCU board.

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