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Glitch when starting playlist after "on":false state #5200

Description

@lookasek

What happened?

When starting the playlist (preset 5: Turn on) while the controller is in the "on": false state, the LEDs glitch for a brief moment. The behavior occurs regardless of whether the playlist is started via the physical button (preset 7: Power), app, or web UI. The flash is visible before the transition into the playlist's first effect begins. The playlist works correctly.

To Reproduce Bug

  1. Use WLED version: 15.3.
  2. Prepare the following set of presets and playlists:
    Presets JSON:
{"0":{},
"1":{"mainseg":0,"on":true,"bri":false,"transition":25,"tb":0,"seg":[{"id":0,"fx":6,"sx":240,"ix":128,"sel":true}],"n":"Sweep on"},
"2":{"mainseg":0,"on":true,"bri":false,"tb":1600,"seg":[{"id":0,"fx":6,"sx":240,"ix":128,"sel":true}],"n":"Sweep off"},
"3":{"mainseg":0,"on":true,"bri":false,"seg":[{"id":0,"fx":0,"sx":128,"ix":128,"sel":true}],"n":"Solid"},
"4":{"mainseg":0,"on":false,"bri":false,"seg":[{"id":0,"fx":0,"sx":128,"ix":128,"sel":true}],"n":"Off"},
"5":{"playlist":{"ps":[1],"dur":[15],"transition":[0],"repeat":1,"end":3,"r":0},"on":true,"n":"Turn on"},
"6":{"playlist":{"ps":[2],"dur":[14],"transition":[0],"repeat":1,"end":4,"r":0},"on":true,"n":"Turn off"},
"7":{"ps":"5~6~","n":"Power"}}
  1. Set the current preset to 4 ("Off", i.e. {"on":false})
  2. Start preset 7 ("Power", i.e. playlist 5/6).
  3. Observe a brief LED flash just before the playlist "Turn on" starts.

Expected Behavior

When starting a playlist while "on": false, the LEDs should remain off until the smooth transition begins. There should be no flash or sudden burst of light.

Install Method

Binary from WLED.me

What version of WLED?

WLED 0.15.3

Which microcontroller/board are you seeing the problem on?

ESP32

Relevant log/trace output

Anything else?

Tested on Gledopto GL-C-016WL-D with WS2811 FCOB CCT led strip.

I also tested with the following preset set:

{"0":{},
"1":{"mainseg":0,"on":true,"bri":false,"transition":25,"tb":0,"seg":[{"id":0,"fx":6,"sx":240,"ix":128,"sel":true}],"n":"Sweep on"},
"2":{"mainseg":0,"on":true,"bri":false,"tb":1600,"seg":[{"id":0,"fx":6,"sx":240,"ix":128,"sel":true}],"n":"Sweep off"},
"3":{"mainseg":0,"on":true,"bri":false,"transition":15,"seg":[{"id":0,"fx":0,"sx":128,"ix":128,"sel":true}],"n":"Solid"},
"4":{"mainseg":0,"on":false,"bri":false,"n":"Off"},
"5":{"mainseg":0,"on":true,"bri":false,"transition":15,"seg":[{"id":0,"fx":0,"sx":128,"ix":128,"sel":true}],"n":"Solid"},
"6":{"playlist":{"ps":[2],"dur":[14],"transition":[0],"repeat":1,"end":4,"r":0},"on":true,"n":"Turn off"},
"7":{"ps":"5~6~","n":"Power"}}

Transitioning from preset 4 ("Off") to preset 5 works without any glitches.

Code of Conduct

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Activity

  1. DedeHai commented on Dec 16, 2025

    @DedeHai
    Collaborator

    some LED strips glitch when the relay is switched on, nothing much can be done about that.

  2. lookasek commented on Dec 16, 2025

    @lookasek
    Author

    some LED strips glitch when the relay is switched on, nothing much can be done about that.

    @DedeHai at first I also thought it was a matter of switching power on the relay. I also tested with the relay option unused (constant power supply to the LEDs) and this problem also occurs. Why does this error not appear in the second case I described (transition from the "on":false state to the "Solid" preset)?

    I have used this model of CCT strip from BTF Lightning in a very large number of WLED projects and have never had any problems with them.

    Today I spent half a day testing and from my observations the problem only occurs when we change the "on" state from false to true using the playlist, when we use a regular preset for this purpose the flashing does not occur.

  3. DedeHai commented on Dec 16, 2025

    @DedeHai
    Collaborator

    if the relay is not used and this still occurs that may be a software glitch indeed. so this only happens on the cct strip (analg?) and not on an addressable one?

  4. lookasek commented on Dec 16, 2025

    @lookasek
    Author

    The described case concerns the WS2811 FCOB CCT digital LED strip (information is included in the issue).

  5. lookasek commented on Dec 16, 2025

    @lookasek
    Author

    Is there any additional information you need to reproduce the reported error?

  6. added
    cannot reproduceDevelopers are not able reproduce. Might be fixed already, or report is missing important details
    on Dec 16, 2025
  7. DedeHai commented on Dec 16, 2025

    @DedeHai
    Collaborator

    I tried you presets and it works just fine for me.

    try it on a different strip and/or a different controller. another option is to try nightly build 0.16

  8. lookasek commented on Dec 16, 2025

    @lookasek
    Author

    I tried you presets and it works just fine for me.

    try it on a different strip and/or a different controller. another option is to try nightly build 0.16

    I will test tomorrow on a different set (same controller model and LED strip). I'll let you know what the situation is like.

  9. lookasek commented on Dec 19, 2025

    @lookasek
    Author

    @DedeHai sorry for the delay, I ran some tests today on another set of the Gledopto controller and CTT LED strip from BTF Lightning. The situation is identical to the first set. Below I am sending some information and recordings (one when starting the LED using a playlist and the other when using a preset).

    I conducted the tests using the WLED_0.15.3_ESP32.bin firmware downloaded directly from the releases of wled/WLED repository.

    I used this list of presets:
    {"0":{}, "1":{"mainseg":0,"on":true,"bri":false,"transition":0,"tb":0,"seg":[{"id":0,"fx":6,"sx":240,"ix":128,"sel":true}],"n":"Sweep on"}, "2":{"mainseg":0,"on":true,"bri":false,"tb":1600,"seg":[{"id":0,"fx":6,"sx":240,"ix":128,"sel":true}],"n":"Sweep off"}, "3":{"mainseg":0,"on":true,"bri":false,"seg":[{"id":0,"fx":0,"sx":128,"ix":128,"sel":true}],"n":"Solid"}, "4":{"mainseg":0,"on":false,"bri":false,"seg":[{"id":0,"fx":0,"sx":128,"ix":128,"sel":true}],"n":"Off"}, "5":{"playlist":{"ps":[1],"dur":[15],"transition":[0],"repeat":1,"end":3,"r":0},"on":true,"n":"Turn on"}, "6":{"playlist":{"ps":[2],"dur":[14],"transition":[0],"repeat":1,"end":4,"r":0},"on":true,"n":"Turn off"}, "7":{"ps":"5~6~","n":"Power"}}

    FIRST TEST:
    I start the test with Preset with ID 4. Then, when I start the playlist with ID 5 (both directly and using the preset with ID 7), the LEDs flash momentarily. Below is a video recorded in Slow Motion:
    https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/ff0dbef8-b960-4483-818d-9f74fa116ffb

    SECOND TEST:
    I start the test with Preset with ID 4. Then, when I start the preset with ID 1 (this preset is used at the beginning in the playlist with ID 5), the LEDs turn on correctly. Below is a video recorded in Slow Motion:
    https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/d7e1ef1e-3aa9-49bf-965b-93888f3bd930

    What information do you need to possibly reproduce the described issue?

  10. DedeHai commented on Dec 19, 2025

    @DedeHai
    Collaborator

    I would need you to test this on a non-gledopto controller and a different LED strip type to make sure it is not simply related to bad hardware design or an inherent property of those strips. And/Or test with 0.16

  11. lookasek commented on Dec 19, 2025

    @lookasek
    Author

    Ok, I will try to perform additional tests on another controller (QuinLED) and an addressable RGB strip.

    However, don't you think, like me, that it's most likely a software issue, considering that launching the preset itself doesn't cause the flashing, but launching the playlist with that preset does?

  12. DedeHai commented on Dec 19, 2025

    @DedeHai
    Collaborator

    possible, but it worked when I tested it and GLEDOPTO are known for sub par hardware.

    edit:
    if you run that test and it works on normal RGB strips, try also setting output type to those CCT ones you have but keep the RGB connected just to test if it may be something in CCT processing code that could cause it.

  13. blazoncek commented on Dec 20, 2025

    @blazoncek
    Contributor

    FYI if color selected in off state is not black and you start a preset (or playlist, it really doesn't matter which except for the transition time) and transition is not 0 you may see a brief display of starting color.

    To overcome this add "seg":{"col":[[0,0,0],[0,0,0],[0,0,0]]} to your off preset.

  14. lookasek commented on Dec 20, 2025

    @lookasek
    Author

    FYI if color selected in off state is not black and you start a preset (or playlist, it really doesn't matter which except for the transition time) and transition is not 0 you may see a brief display of starting color.

    @blazoncek can a flash also occur when the transition is set to 0 (in the above described tests I had preset ID 1 with "transition":0)?

    To overcome this add "seg":{"col":[[0,0,0],[0,0,0],[0,0,0]]} to your off preset.

    If I change the off state color to black, is it possible to turn on the LEDs to the color set by the user before turning it off?

  15. 32 remaining items

  16. computerd36 commented on Feb 22, 2026

    @computerd36

    @softhack007 Yes, I can do that. I have two of these controllers (Gledopto GL-C-015WL)
    and could use the spare one for testing.

    I'm a web developer with no PlatformIO experience, so just to confirm the
    workflow: install PlatformIO in VS Code, clone WLED, checkout v0.15.3,
    apply the changes, and build. I'd test three separate builds:

    1. Only Fix 1 (stateChanged = false)
    2. Only Fix 2 (|| → &&)
    3. Both combined

    Which build environment should I use for the Gledopto GL-C-015WL (ESP32)?
    pio run -e esp32dev?

    Then flash via OTA at x.x.x.x/update and checkout if it still occurs?

  17. softhack007 commented on Feb 22, 2026

    @softhack007
    Member

    @computerd36 basically yes.
    I don't know the gledopto hardware - just heard rumors that the level shifter on gledopto boards is very useless 😉.

    if you have a "classic esp32", then building and uploading esp32dev should work. In case your board has ethernet, use esp32_eth.

  18. bernhaddl commented on Mar 17, 2026

    @bernhaddl

    Same problem here with an ESP32 and an SK6812. The problem does not occur with version 14.4 and the same playlist.

  19. github-actions commented on Jul 16, 2026

    @github-actions

    Hey! This issue has been open for quite some time without any new comments now. It will be closed automatically in a week if no further activity occurs.
    Thank you for using WLED! ✨

  20. added
    staleThis issue will be closed soon because of prolonged inactivity
    on Jul 16, 2026
  21. jtauscher commented on Sep 16, 2026

    @jtauscher

    I have the same Problem with WS281x RGB (actually white/amber) ESP32

    My desired sequence is:

    Black → Wipe effect (until all LEDs are on) → Solid (white) as the final preset

    I have tested the following cases:

    Case A – Previous state was a colored Solid preset

    WLED is showing a colored Solid preset (all LEDs on).
    I turn WLED off.
    I wait a few seconds.
    I start the playlist.
    Result: all LEDs briefly flash on before the Wipe starts.

    Case B – Previous state was a black Solid preset

    I switch to a Solid preset with the color set completely to black.
    I turn WLED off.
    I wait a few seconds.
    I start the same playlist.
    Result: no flash. The Wipe starts normally.

    Case C – Start the Wipe directly

    I start the Wipe preset directly, without using the playlist.
    Result: no flash.

    Additional information:

    All playlist transitions are set to 0 ms.
    The Wipe itself works correctly when started directly.
    The problem only occurs when starting the playlist after the previous state was a colored Solid.
    Using a black Solid preset before starting the playlist prevents the flash.
    I’m also investigating whether the layer Blend Mode could be involved.

    Could this be caused by the playlist briefly rendering the previous layer/frame before the first playlist preset is applied?

  22. DedeHai commented on Sep 16, 2026

    @DedeHai
    Collaborator

    @jtauscher using fade or different transition? see #5726

  23. jtauscher commented on Sep 16, 2026

    @jtauscher

    @jtauscher using fade or different transition? see #5726

    -> All playlist transitions are set to 0 ms.
    I will do further testing later on with the hint of #5726, thanks!

  24. DedeHai commented on Sep 16, 2026

    @DedeHai
    Collaborator

    @jtauscher please also test #5729 as it contains a complete rewrite on how transitions are handled.

  25. jtauscher commented on Sep 16, 2026

    @jtauscher

    Sorry, I don't know how to test #5729, how to generate a bin.
    Anyway with WLED_0.14.4_ESP32-C3.bin it works just fine.

  26. removed
    staleThis issue will be closed soon because of prolonged inactivity
    cannot reproduceDevelopers are not able reproduce. Might be fixed already, or report is missing important details
    on Sep 17, 2026
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