# WLED: what changed from 0 to 16

- Product: WLED (https://whatsnew.fyi/product/wled)
- Vendor: WLED Project
- Range: changelog entries numbered after v0.15.4 up to and including v16.0.1, stable releases only
- Entries below: 2 releases (newest first)
- Resolved: 0 is v0.15.4 and 16 is v16.0.1, the newest stable release of each major we track
- Carrying security changes: 0 · CVEs mentioned: 0 · Mentioning breaking changes: 0 · Removing or deprecating something: 0
- Page: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/wled/compare/0...16

What's New is an index, not a publisher: every entry below links to the vendor's own release notes, which are the authoritative source. Entries are labelled where they are hand-curated sample data, pre-releases, or drawn from a secondary source such as a developer blog.

Reuse: the summaries, labels and curation here are © What's New. Quote freely with attribution and a link back; wholesale republication of the corpus is not permitted — terms: https://whatsnew.fyi/terms. The vendors' own release notes remain their publishers'.

## What changed (47 changes, grouped by kind)

### Added

#### v16.0.1 (2026-07-07)

- Add support for Waveshare S3 Matrix Driver board with waveshare_esp32s3_32MB_hub75 build
- Add Seengreat HUB75 pinout support

#### v16.0.0 (2026-05-03)

- True segment layering to combine effects creatively
- Transition blending with shift, push and other blend modes
- Particle system with multiple 1D and 2D particle effects
- GIF support to display gif images on strips or matrices
- Pixelforge multi-tool to handle and create gifs and paint leds
- Custom font support for scrolling text with custom font editor
- New palette editor with over 800 palettes and support for over 100 custom palettes
- New file editor with json and ledmap auto-formatting
- HUB75 support for matrix displays
- DMX input to receive DMX data over serial
- Pin info page overview of all pins and their assigned function
- Support for multiple ESPnow remotes
- Support for more macro timers
- Audio reactive support on ESP32 C3
- 36 new effects including PacMan, Shimmer, Color Clouds, Slow Transitions, Copy Segment and particle effects
- mDNS support for MQTT and network buses
- Set random colors via json API
- onUdpPacket usermod hook for custom UDP handling
- Device ID added to JSON Info endpoint

### Changed

#### v16.0.0 (2026-05-03)

- New color handling and gamma which may cause some color changes
- Updated to ESP-IDF v4.4.8 and arduino-esp32 v2.0.18
- WiFi access point selection now connects to the strongest signal instead of first detected
- Improved dynamic RAM and PSRAM handling

### Fixed

#### v16.0.1 (2026-07-07)

- Fix configuration loading in settings_leds.htm
- Fix HUB75 bugs for 4-scan and chained panels
- Use FM6124 driver for 4-scan HUB75 panels and remove 64x64 limitation when board has PSRAM
- Improve bootup behaviour for boot presets
- Respect make auto segments setting when resetting segments
- Fix white channel for Rainbow and other color_wheel()-based effects
- Restore palette wrap-around in the Palette effect
- Restore pre-16.0 visual appearance on several effects
- Fix brightness not being applied properly in nightlight mode
- Fix color jump when changing mid transition
- Apply gamma during realtime override
- Fix ledmap parser reading past end of map array
- Fix LED glitches on long strips for C3
- Fix segment deconstructor bug
- Update pixel buffer after changing matrix dimensions
- Prevent Arduino core from assigning default MISO pin
- Fix analog button functionality
- Fix button label regression

#### v16.0.0 (2026-05-03)

- OTA safety checks
- Boot-loop detection with auto-recovery
- WiFi fast connect on ESP32 to fix pause after boot
- Improved page loading stability

## Release notes

### v16.0.1

- Date: 2026-07-07
- Version: v16.0.1
- Original notes: https://github.com/wled/WLED/releases/tag/v16.0.1
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/wled/releases/v16.0.1

- **added** — Add support for Waveshare S3 Matrix Driver board with waveshare_esp32s3_32MB_hub75 build
- **added** — Add Seengreat HUB75 pinout support
- **fixed** — Fix configuration loading in settings_leds.htm
- **fixed** — Fix HUB75 bugs for 4-scan and chained panels
- **fixed** — Use FM6124 driver for 4-scan HUB75 panels and remove 64x64 limitation when board has PSRAM
- **fixed** — Improve bootup behaviour for boot presets
- **fixed** — Respect make auto segments setting when resetting segments
- **fixed** — Fix white channel for Rainbow and other color_wheel()-based effects
- **fixed** — Restore palette wrap-around in the Palette effect
- **fixed** — Restore pre-16.0 visual appearance on several effects
- **fixed** — Fix brightness not being applied properly in nightlight mode
- **fixed** — Fix color jump when changing mid transition
- **fixed** — Apply gamma during realtime override
- **fixed** — Fix ledmap parser reading past end of map array
- **fixed** — Fix LED glitches on long strips for C3
- **fixed** — Fix segment deconstructor bug
- **fixed** — Update pixel buffer after changing matrix dimensions
- **fixed** — Prevent Arduino core from assigning default MISO pin
- **fixed** — Fix analog button functionality
- **fixed** — Fix button label regression

#### WLED Version 16.0.1 Announcement

Read the full copy at https://github.com/wled/WLED/releases/tag/v16.0.1

I'm pleased to announce that since the release of 16.0.0, approximately 50% of WLED installs have downloaded the new release, with only a tiny number of issues reported relative to the install base. Also for those of you that help by sending the install/upgrade report, we have seen only a handful of people downgrade back to 0.15.

There were few key reasons for why this was released as 16.0.0 and not 0.16.0 - 

One example is that it is actually a major software change as the entire esp32 platform we run on top of is a major new version, the first time since esp32 support was added. 

Another is that it better reflects the fact that WLED is almost 10 years old and has over 2 million downloads, so it’s definitely not a pre-release version 0!



Therefore I think it's fair to say we recommend ALL users upgrade to this 16.0.1 maintenance release!


##### New board support
- Add support for Waveshare S3 Matrix Driver board, including the `waveshare_esp32s3_32MB_hub75` build in releases (by @netmindz)
- New "Seengreat" HUB75 pinout ([#5662](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5662) by @softhack007)

##### Bug Fixes
- [Bugfix in cfg loading in settings_leds.htm](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5701) (by @DedeHai)
- [HUB75 bugfixes for 4-scan and chained panels](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5662) (by @softhack007)
- [HUB75: use FM6124 driver for 4-scan panels, remove 64x64 limitation if board has PSRAM](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5647) (by @softhack007)
- [Improve bootup behaviour for boot presets](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5686) (by @DedeHai)
- [Respect "make auto segments" when resetting segments](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5696) (by @DedeHai)
- [Fix white channel for "Rainbow" and other color_wheel()-based effects](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5694) (by @chschu)
- [Restore palette wrap-around in the Palette effect (regression since 0.15.x)](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5646) (by @kaibae19)
- [Restore pre-16.0 looks on several FX](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5684) (by @DedeHai)
- [Fix brightness not being applied properly in nightlight mode](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5625) (by @DedeHai)
- [Fix color jump if changing mid transition](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5601) (by @DedeHai)
- [Apply gamma during realtime override](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5666) (by @DedeHai)
- [Fix ledmap parser reading past end of map array](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5693) (by @DedeHai)
- [Fix LED glitches on long strips for C3](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5688) (by @DedeHai)
- [Bugfix in segment deconstructor](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5687) (by @DedeHai)
- [Update pixel buffer after changing matrix dimensions](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5675) (by @DedeHai)
- [Prevent Arduino core from assigning default MISO pin](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5672) (by @DedeHai)
- [Rename LED type description "CW" to the more commonly used "CCT"](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5612) (by @DedeHai)
- [Analog button fix](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5659) (by @benjamw)
- [Fix button label regression](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5636) (by @benjamw)
- [Bugfix in parsePacket(): accept short Art-Net packets](https://github.com/wled/WLED/commit/06e6b2331) (by @DedeHai)
- [Align with WLEDMM extended error codes, small improvement for brownout detection](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5695) (by @softhack007)
- [Audioreactive bugfix: auto-suspend in all realtime modes, but stay active when "Use main segment only"](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5599) (by @softhack007)
- [Fixed top-LED update logic in grav* audioreactive effects](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5602) (by @recliq)
- [Fix KIT-VE Ethernet: PHY address should be 1, not 0](https://github.com/wled/WLED/pull/5618) (by @Techman749)
- [v16 compatibility f

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://github.com/wled/WLED/releases/tag/v16.0.1]_

### v16.0.0

- Date: 2026-05-03
- Version: v16.0.0
- Original notes: https://github.com/wled/WLED/releases/tag/v16.0.0
- Permalink: https://whatsnew.fyi/product/wled/releases/v16.0.0

- **added** — True segment layering to combine effects creatively
- **added** — Transition blending with shift, push and other blend modes
- **added** — Particle system with multiple 1D and 2D particle effects
- **added** — GIF support to display gif images on strips or matrices
- **added** — Pixelforge multi-tool to handle and create gifs and paint leds
- **added** — Custom font support for scrolling text with custom font editor
- **added** — New palette editor with over 800 palettes and support for over 100 custom palettes
- **added** — New file editor with json and ledmap auto-formatting
- **added** — HUB75 support for matrix displays
- **added** — DMX input to receive DMX data over serial
- **added** — Pin info page overview of all pins and their assigned function
- **added** — Support for multiple ESPnow remotes
- **added** — Support for more macro timers
- **added** — Audio reactive support on ESP32 C3
- **added** — 36 new effects including PacMan, Shimmer, Color Clouds, Slow Transitions, Copy Segment and particle effects
- **added** — mDNS support for MQTT and network buses
- **added** — Set random colors via json API
- **added** — onUdpPacket usermod hook for custom UDP handling
- **added** — Device ID added to JSON Info endpoint
- **changed** — New color handling and gamma which may cause some color changes
- **changed** — Updated to ESP-IDF v4.4.8 and arduino-esp32 v2.0.18
- **changed** — WiFi access point selection now connects to the strongest signal instead of first detected
- **changed** — Improved dynamic RAM and PSRAM handling
- **fixed** — OTA safety checks
- **fixed** — Boot-loop detection with auto-recovery
- **fixed** — WiFi fast connect on ESP32 to fix pause after boot
- **fixed** — Improved page loading stability

#### WLED Version 16.0 Announcement

It is finally here: the WLED team is excited to announce the 16.0 release!

Read the full copy at https://github.com/wled/WLED/releases/tag/v16.0.0

This has been almost one and a half years to finish but be assured it was worth the wait: there are many new awesome features from 59 contributors and it marks a significant point in the development of WLED.

While he has now stepped back from the WLED team, we would like to take this opportunity to particularly recognise the contribution of @blazoncek. While he chose to leave the development team at the end of December, he was a very important part of the development cycle for this version.

We hope that the new version exceeds your expectations of a free-for-all open source software. We all contributed to this update in our spare time, driven by passion and the desire to make something useful for everyone.

If you enjoy the project and would like to support WLED developers, consider contributing in any way that feels right to you — whether that’s sharing feedback, helping others, write documentation,  contributing code, or, if you’re able, making a donation:

@blazoncek https://paypal.me/blazoncek 
@dedehai https://paypal.me/dedehai / https://github.com/sponsors/DedeHai
@willmmiles https://github.com/sponsors/willmmiles
@netmindz https://github.com/sponsors/netmindz
@softhack007 https://github.com/sponsors/softhack007
@Moustachauve https://github.com/sponsors/Moustachauve / https://paypal.me/moustachauve 
@Aircoookie https://paypal.me/Aircoookie 



##### Here are the highlights of 16.0
* True segment layering get creative with almost unlimited effect combinations (by @blazoncek)
* Transition blending shift, push and many more (by @blazoncek)
* Particle System with many new amazing effects (by @dedehai)
* GIF Support to display gif images on your strip or matrix (by @Aircoookie)
* Pixelforge multi-tool to handle and create gifs, paint your leds and more (by @dedehai)
* Custom font support for scrolling text - including a custom font editor (by @dedehai)
* New palette editor with over 800 palettes to choose from(by @dedehai)
* Support for over 100 custom palettes (by @dedehai)
* New file editor with json and ledmap auto-formatting (by @dedehai)
* HUB75 support  (by @netmindz and @softhack007)
* DMX input receive DMX data over serial (by @netmindz)
* New color handling & gamma you may notice some color changes (by @blazoncek & @dedehai)
* Pin Info Page overview of all pins and their assigned function (by @dedehai)
* Add as many buttons as you want no more custom compile required (by @blazoncek)
* Support more macro timers (by @[benjamw](https://github.com/benjamw))
* Support for multiple ESPnow remotes (by @dedehai)
* More LED outputs (by @blazoncek)
* OTA safety checks (by @willmmiles &@netmindz)
* High priority output driver to fix flickering (by @willmmiles)
* Advanced LED driver selection to choose the best for your setup (by @dedehai)
* Audio Reactive support on ESP32 C3 (by @dedehai)

##### Effects
There are a total of 36 new effects, check them out
* PacMan (by @BobLoeffler68)
* Shimmer (by @dedehai)
* Color Clouds (by @JoaDick)
* Slow Transitions (by @dedehai)
* Copy Segment (by @dedehai)
* 1D particle effects: PS DripDrop, PS Pinball, PS Dancing Shadows, PS Fireworks 1D, PS Sparkler, PS Hourglass, PS Spray 1D, PS 1D Balance, PS Chase, PS Starburst, PS GEQ 1D, PS Fire 1D, PS Sonic Stream, PS Sonic Boom, PS Spring (by @dedehai)
* 2D particle effects: PS Fire, PS Waterfall, PS Vortex, PS Fireworks, PS Volcano, PS Ballpit, PS Box, PS Fuzzy Noise, PS Impact, PS Attractor, PS Spray, PS GEQ Nova, PS Ghost Rider, PS Blobs, PS Galaxy, PS GEQ 2D (by @dedehai)
* Game of Life effect improved (by @Brandon502)
* Optimizations and enhancements on many effects (by @dedehai) 

New user_fx usermod with additional effects:
* Tutorial on how to write user effects (by @danewhero)
* Diffusion Fire

_[Truncated at 4000 characters — full notes: https://github.com/wled/WLED/releases/tag/v16.0.0]_