How to Use ESP32 with KY-022 IR Receiver to Control LEDs with Remote

This tutorial shows how to use ESP32 with the KY-022 infrared receiver module to control 4 LEDs with a remote control. The principle is simple: when you press a button on the remote, ESP32 receives the IR signal and turns LEDs on or off accordingly.

![ESP32 circuit connected to KY-022 and 4 LEDs on breadboard]

Required Components

Component	Quantity
NodeMCU ESP32	1 board
Infrared Receiver Module KY-022	1 unit
IR Remote Control + battery	1 set
5mm Red LED	4 units
220 Ohm Resistor	4 units
Breadboard MB-102 830 points	1 unit
Jumper wires (M-M, M-F, F-F)	at least 10 pieces
Micro USB cable	1 piece

ESP32 Wiring: KY-022 and LEDs

KY-022 Pin Connections

KY-022	ESP32
+ (VCC)	5V
- (GND)	GND
S (Signal)	D23

LED Pin Connections

LED	ESP32
LED 1 Long leg (Anode)	D22
LED 2 Long leg (Anode)	D21
LED 3 Long leg (Anode)	D19
LED 4 Long leg (Anode)	D18
All LEDs Short leg (Cathode)	Through 220 Ohm resistor to GND

![Breadboard layout showing positions of 4 LEDs, resistors, and wiring]

Installing Library for KY-022

1. Download IRremote_DIYables_IRcontroller from the provided Mediafire link
2. Extract the file using WinRAR or WinZip
3. Place the folder in Documents/Arduino/libraries
4. Restart Arduino IDE and check that the library is installed via Sketch > Include Library

Note: If you prefer to use the standard Arduino IRremote library instead, you can, but the code below is written for DIYables_IRcontroller.

ESP32 Code: Read IR and Control LEDs

This code is a Skeleton that requires you to input your actual remote’s code values. Steps are explained below.

#include "DIYables_IRcontroller.h"

// ====== LED Pin Definitions ======
#define LED_1 22
#define LED_2 21
#define LED_3 19
#define LED_4 18

// ====== KY-022 Signal Pin ======
#define IR_RECEIVER_PIN 23

// Create IR Receiver object
DIYables_IRcontroller irController(IR_RECEIVER_PIN, LED_BUILTIN);

// LED state variables
bool led1State = false;
bool led2State = false;
bool led3State = false;
bool led4State = false;

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
  
  // Set LED pins as Output
  pinMode(LED_1, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LED_2, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LED_3, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(LED_4, OUTPUT);
  
  // Turn all LEDs off initially
  digitalWrite(LED_1, LOW);
  digitalWrite(LED_2, LOW);
  digitalWrite(LED_3, LOW);
  digitalWrite(LED_4, LOW);
  
  // Initialize IR Controller
  irController.begin();
  
  Serial.println("ESP32 IR LED Control Ready");
  Serial.println("Press remote buttons and check values here");
}

void loop() {
  // Read value from remote
  Key_t key = irController.readKey();
  
  if (key != Key_t::NONE) {
    // TODO: Replace KEY_XXX with your actual remote button codes
    // View values in Serial Monitor when pressing each button
    
    if (key == Key_t::KEY_1) {  // Replace with your actual remote code
      led1State = !led1State;
      digitalWrite(LED_1, led1State ? HIGH : LOW);
      Serial.println(led1State ? "LED 1 ON" : "LED 1 OFF");
    }
    
    else if (key == Key_t::KEY_2) {  // Replace with your actual remote code
      led1State = false;
      digitalWrite(LED_1, LOW);
      Serial.println("LED 1 OFF");
    }
    
    else if (key == Key_t::KEY_9) {  // Replace with your actual remote code
      // Turn on all 4 LEDs
      digitalWrite(LED_1, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(LED_2, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(LED_3, HIGH);
      digitalWrite(LED_4, HIGH);
      led1State = led2State = led3State = led4State = true;
      Serial.println("ALL LED ON");
    }
    
    else if (key == Key_t::KEY_0) {  // Replace with your actual remote code
      // Turn off all 4 LEDs
      digitalWrite(LED_1, LOW);
      digitalWrite(LED_2, LOW);
      digitalWrite(LED_3, LOW);
      digitalWrite(LED_4, LOW);
      led1State = led2State = led3State = led4State = false;
      Serial.println("ALL LED OFF");
    }
    
    // You can add buttons 3-8 to control LEDs 2-4 as needed
  }
}

How to Find Your Remote’s Code Values

Important: Each remote’s button values are different. Follow these steps:

1. Upload the code to your board, open Serial Monitor at 9600 baud
2. Press each button on your remote and note the values shown in Serial Monitor
3. Replace KEY_XXX in the code with your actual values
4. Upload the updated code

![Serial Monitor showing Hex values of remote buttons when pressed]

Upload Steps

1. Select the correct Port for your ESP32 (Tools > Port)
2. Select Board as ESP32 Dev Module (Tools > Board > ESP32 Arduino)
3. Click Upload (Ctrl+U)
4. Wait for “Done uploading”
5. Open Serial Monitor and test with your remote

Remote Button Summary

Button	Function
1	Toggle LED 1 on/off
2	Turn off LED 1
3	(Addable) Control LED 2
4	(Addable) Control LED 2
5-8	(Addable) Control LEDs 3-4
9	Turn on all 4 LEDs
0	Turn off all 4 LEDs

Troubleshooting

Remote not working

• Check that the battery is inserted correctly (+/-)
• Try replacing with a new battery
• Verify KY-022 wiring is correct

Serial Monitor shows nothing

• Verify Baud Rate is set correctly (9600)
• Check the correct Port is selected

LED not turning on

• Check LED long/short leg orientation
• Verify resistors are connected