WS2811, Raspberry Pi 5, GPIO, could not initialize.

[Ulysse-srfc24]

Hello,
I'm a beginner with FPP and currently have a WS2811 LED matrix with 26 rows and 66 columns, totaling 1716 LEDs. I discovered FPP about a week ago, and it seems like a great solution to control all my LEDs.
Here's my issue:
I want to control all my LEDs directly from the GPIO pins of my Raspberry Pi 5. I'm also new to xLights and, for testing purposes, I created a simple matrix that stays lit in yellow. My goal was to get this basic setup working before fully exploring the software. However, after following several tutorials online, I still can't get FPP to work properly.
I went to "Channel Output" → "Pixel String", but the only option available is "Install Virtual EEPROM". Based on what I found online, I installed a PiHat EEPROM to test, but after going back to the main menu, I get the following error:

less
CopierModifier

Abnormal Conditions - May cause poor performance or other issues  
RPIWS281x: ws2811_init() failed. Error code: -3  
Could not initialize output type RPIWS281X. Check logs for details.

I checked the logs but didn't find anything particularly helpful. Here's part of what I found in the logs, though I'm not sure if it's relevant:

swift
CopierModifier

AH01071: Got error 'PHP message: PHP Fatal error:  
Uncaught TypeError: fclose(): Argument #1 ($stream) must be of type resource, bool given  
in /opt/fpp/www/api/controllers/channel.php:175\nStack trace:\n#0  
/opt/fpp/www/api/controllers/channel.php(175): fclose()\n#1  
/opt/fpp/www/api/lib/limonade.php(430): channel_get_pixelnetDMX()\n#2  
/opt/fpp/www/api/index.php(189): run()\n#3 {main}\n  thrown in  
/opt/fpp/www/api/controllers/channel.php on line 175',  
referer: http://192.168.1.21/channeloutputs.php

So, the Pixel Strings output isn't working. I also tried selecting "Other" → "GPIO", which doesn't give an error, but nothing happens on the matrix.
By the way, these are 12V WS2811 LEDs, so since they require a 5V data signal, I built a small circuit where GPIO 18 controls a MOSFET, which is powered by the 5V output of an Arduino UNO. The MOSFET then drives the data line of the LED strips.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!

[breese]

There are only 2 GPIO ports supported on the Pi's with FPP and they are limited.
Your best best is to talk to the people in the XLights zoom room.
https://zoom.us/j/175801909?pwd=ZU1hNzM5bjJpOGZ1d1BOb1BzMUFndz09

[Poporacer]

I want to control all my LEDs directly from the GPIO pins of my Raspberry Pi 5

This can be a little problematic because the GPIO pins only output 3.3 V and the signal will degrade very quickly if you don't use a level shifter or something similar. I would suggest getting a Pi-Cap from Falcon Controllers or for double the amount of ports look at Kulp Lights

What version of FPP are you using?

[Ulysse-srfc24]

There are only 2 GPIO ports supported on the Pi's with FPP and they are limited.
Your best best is to talk to the people in the XLights zoom room.
https://zoom.us/j/175801909?pwd=ZU1hNzM5bjJpOGZ1d1BOb1BzMUFndz09

Hello,
Thank you for responding. I don't think the problem comes from Xlight. Even without a file, the error is still present. It happens as soon as I create a virtual EEPROM. Do you know which options I should select in "Channel Output"?
Thanks, have a great day!

[Ulysse-srfc24]

I want to control all my LEDs directly from the GPIO pins of my Raspberry Pi 5

This can be a little problematic because the GPIO pins only output 3.3 V and the signal will degrade very quickly if you don't use a level shifter or something similar. I would suggest getting a Pi-Cap from Falcon Controllers or for double the amount of ports look at Kulp Lights
What version of FPP are you using?

Hello,
Thank you for responding. To get 5V, I'm using a MOSFET that takes the power from an Arduino UNO as input, so 5V, with resistors. Normally, it should work, but nothing happens  I use the last version, i'm not home but i think the 8.5, i download this version with the Raspberry OS Installer.
Thanks, have a great day!

[Poporacer]

I don't think the problem comes from Xlight.

The xLights Zoom room is NOT exclusive to xLights, it is for ALL things lighting related, from controllers to sequencing issues etc.  It is by far the best resource to get help.

i think the 8.5,

I just installed the Pi-Hat Virtual eeprom on a Pi 5 running 8.5.1 and I am seeing the same thing. I reported it to the developers. Thanks for letting us know.

[Ulysse-srfc24]

I don't think the problem comes from Xlight.

Teh xLights Zoom room is NOT exclusive to xLights, it is for ALL things lighting related, from controllers to sequencing issues etc.  It is by far the best resource to get help.

i think the 8.5,

I just installed the Pi-Hat Virtual eeprom on a Pi 5 running 8.5.1 and I am seeing the same thing. I reported it to the developers. Thanks for letting us know.

Hello,
Thank you for your response! I wasn't aware of the Xlights Zoom Room at all—I'll check it out! And thank you so much for notifying the developers  
Have a great day!

[Poporacer]

And thank you so much for notifying the developer

The Pi 5 has to use the DPI Pixel protocol, I tested it and it works

[Ulysse-srfc24]

Hello, Thank you for your reply, could you send me your connection diagram if you don't mind? And then for DPI, I don't really understand, do I have to put just 1 strip per port? Because for me it won't be possible..., In any case, thank you for answering me, have a good evening

[Poporacer]

could you send me your connection diagram if you don't mind?

I am not sure what you want here? But here is a pinout diagram for the Pi.
You cannot view this attachment.
Port 1 is GPIO 18 and Port 2 is GPIO 19

And then for DPI, I don't really understand

DPI is just a communication method to process the data, nothing really to understand in this case.

do I have to put just 1 strip per port?

I am not sure why you would think that. And what is "one strip"? You can connect 800 pixels to each port. BUT, one port by itself cannot supply enough voltage or current for more than a few pixels.

Have a great evening as well.

[Ulysse-srfc24]

Hello, here is my wiring diagram. It still doesn't work; no LEDs are lighting up. And regarding FPP, I have a red error. As I mentioned, I am limited to 50 LEDs per port, which is very few... That's it. Thanks anyway!

[Poporacer]

Hello, here is my wiring diagram.

I am not sure why you would need the Arduino and how that is supposed to work? Where are the lights in that diagram?
Try connecting your lights directly to the Pi with no extension and you should get something to work.
You have the Data line connected to GPIO 18 which is mapped to port 1 (more on that later) but you have 0 pixels configured for port 1 so you are telling FPP to light up nothing on that pin.

And regarding FPP, I have a red error. As I mentioned

I think you missed the part about the Pi-Hat DPI EEPROM You used the DPI Pixel EEPROM and that version requires a license to use more than 50 pixels per port but you get a lot more ports. The Pi hat DPI eeprom gives you 2 ports to use with 800 pixels per port.

You cannot view this attachment.

[Ulysse-srfc24]

Hello, here is my wiring diagram.

I am not sure why you would need the Arduino and how that is supposed to work? Where are the lights in that diagram?
Try connecting your lights directly to the Pi with no extension and you should get something to work.
You have the Data line connected to GPIO 18 which is mapped to port 1 (more on that later) but you have 0 pixels configured for port 1 so you are telling FPP to light up nothing on that pin.

And regarding FPP, I have a red error. As I mentioned

I think you missed the part about the Pi-Hat DPI EEPROM You used the DPI Pixel EEPROM and that version requires a license to use more than 50 pixels per port but you get a lot more ports. The Pi hat DPI eeprom gives you 2 ports to use with 800 pixels per port.
You cannot view this attachment.

Hello, thank you for your reply, I did exactly as you did, but a quick question: are your ws2811s powered by 5V or 12V? I use 12V.

[Poporacer]

are your ws2811s powered by 5V or 12V?

You can use either, but you have to power the pixels separately, tie the V- together with the Data V-. The Data line is 5V so you will need to adjust that line accordingly/

[Ulysse-srfc24]

are your ws2811s powered by 5V or 12V?

You can use either, but you have to power the pixels separately, tie the V- together with the Data V-. The Data line is 5V so you will need to adjust that line accordingly/

Hello, well it still doesn't work, I just bought a level shifter just in case, to be sure to have 5v for the data but still nothing, Thank you very much for your help, Is it possible that my problem comes from Xlight? I am a beginner on Xlight, Good day!