pigpio

1.78 verified Fri May 01 auth: no python

pigpio is a Python module for controlling the Raspberry Pi's GPIO pins. It provides both local and remote GPIO control via the pigpio daemon. Current version is 1.78, with infrequent releases.

pip install pigpio

Common errors

error Can't connect to pigpio on localhost ↓

cause pigpio daemon not running or not accessible.

fix

Run 'sudo pigpiod' to start the daemon.

error ImportError: No module named pigpio ↓

cause pigpio Python module not installed.

fix

pip install pigpio

error AttributeError: module 'pigpio' has no attribute 'pi' ↓

cause Using an older version of pigpio that uses a different API.

fix

Upgrade to latest pigpio: pip install --upgrade pigpio

Warnings

gotcha pigpio requires the pigpio daemon to be running before the Python script can connect. If daemon is not running, pi.connected returns False. ↓

fix Start the daemon: sudo pigpiod

deprecated Passing a hostname to pigpio.pi() or using pi.serial() may be deprecated in future versions. Use pi = pigpio.pi() for local connection. ↓

fix Use pigpio.pi() without arguments for local connection.

gotcha GPIO numbers are Broadcom (BCM) pin numbers, not physical pin numbers. Common mistake is to use physical pin numbers. ↓

fix Always use BCM GPIO numbers (e.g., GPIO 17 is physical pin 11).

Imports

wrong

import pigpio
pi = pigpio.pi('localhost')

correct

import pigpio
pi = pigpio.pi()

Host parameter is deprecated; omit or use host='' for local

Quickstart

Blink an LED on GPIO 17. Requires pigpio daemon (sudo pigpiod) to be running.

import pigpio
import time

pi = pigpio.pi()
if not pi.connected:
    print("Failed to connect to pigpio daemon")
    exit(1)

pi.set_mode(17, pigpio.OUTPUT)
pi.write(17, 1)
time.sleep(1)
pi.write(17, 0)
pi.stop()