How to set up a color e-ink display with Inklyng

Charge the display, connect it to a computer with a USB data cable, open inklyng.app/wifi-setup in Chrome or Edge and give it your 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. It then shows a 6-digit code: choose Add display, pick E-ink and type the code.

What you need

  • An M5Stack M5PaperColor color e-ink display (other e-ink models are not supported)
  • A desktop or laptop computer with Chrome or Microsoft Edge
  • A USB data cable (some cables only charge)
  • A 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network
  • A free Inklyng account

Steps

  1. Charge it and switch it on. Charge the display and press the side button. A flat battery can look fine, because e-ink keeps its last picture, but the display is switched off.
  2. Plug it into a computer. Connect the display straight to a desktop or laptop with a USB data cable. Don't use a USB hub. If nothing happens, try another cable or USB port.
  3. Open the Wi-Fi setup page. In Chrome or Edge (Safari, Firefox and phones can't do this step), open inklyng.app/wifi-setup.
  4. Give it your Wi-Fi. Pick your display in the list your browser shows, choose your home 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi network and type its password.
  5. Wait for the code. After about a minute and a half the display says Connected! and shows a 6-digit code. A color e-ink redraw takes 10 to 20 seconds.
  6. Add it in Inklyng. Log in, choose Add display, pick E-ink and type the code.
  7. Choose what it shows. Pick the screens for its playlist: photos, weather, stocks, text or messages. Use Test screen on the display's page to send a picture; give it a minute or two.

Get started free

Tips

  • The display can't join 5 GHz-only networks. Many routers offer both bands under one name, which is fine.
  • Wi-Fi that needs a web page sign-in, such as hotels and some offices, won't work.
  • Plugged in, the display checks in about once a minute. On battery it checks in much less often to save power, so it can take up to 40 minutes to show as online.

Questions

Which e-ink displays does Inklyng support?

The M5Stack M5PaperColor color e-ink display. Other e-ink models are not supported. An e-ink reader with a web browser can also be added as a web display, but we haven't tested one yet.

Why does the display still show an old picture?

E-ink keeps its picture with the power off, so an old picture doesn't mean the display is working. Charge it, press the side button and wait a minute.

Do I need a computer every time?

Only to give it Wi-Fi the first time, or again after a reset. A reset clears the Wi-Fi and pairing, so don't reset just to clear an old picture.

More guides

Fix an e-ink display that won't connect or looks ghostedTroubleshoot a color e-ink display on Inklyng: it can't reach Wi-Fi, is stuck on a picture, shows an old image or has faint ghosting. What each message means and how to reset it.Use a color e-ink display as a weather stationShow the weather on a color e-ink display with Inklyng: pick your location, units and a theme, and optionally show the room's own temperature and humidity from the display's sensor.Show photos, weather and more in one playlistBuild a playlist so one display rotates through photos, weather, the Earth, stock prices, text and messages on its own, from every few minutes to every fifteen.

Still stuck? Visit support or write to support@inklyng.app. Last updated 2026-10-26.