Push Button Using Raspberry Pi Pico

 

Control LED with Push Button Using Raspberry Pi Pico (MicroPython)

Objective

To control an LED using a push button on a Raspberry Pi Pico, written in MicroPython. This project is perfect for beginners learning input and output (I/O) control on microcontrollers.

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 Components Required

S.N.	Component	Quantity
1	Raspberry Pi Pico	1
2	LED (any color)	1
3	220Ω Resistor	1(optional)
4	Push Button	1
5	Breadboard + Wires	As needed
6	Micro USB Cable	1

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 Circuit Description

• LED's anode (long leg) is connected to GPIO 0 through a 220Ω resistor, and cathode to GND.

• Push button is connected between GPIO 1 and 3.3V.

• An internal pull-down resistor is enabled in code to keep the button input low when not pressed.

• When the button is pressed, the input pin reads HIGH, and the LED turns ON.

       

ckt diagram

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 Code: MicroPython for Button Controlled LED

python

from machine import Pin
from time import sleep

led = Pin(0, Pin.OUT)   
button = Pin(1, Pin.IN, Pin.PULL_DOWN)

print("Press button to turn ON the LED")

while True:
    if button.value() == 1:
        led.on()
    elif button.value() == 0:
        led.off()
    sleep(0.001)

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 Working Principle

• Pin(0, Pin.OUT) sets GPIO 0 as an output for the LED.

• Pin(1, Pin.IN, Pin.PULL_DOWN) sets GPIO 1 as an input and activates the internal pull-down resistor.(you may used external resistor for pull up or down )

• In the loop:

  • If the button is pressed (button.value() == 1), the LED turns ON.

  • If the button is not pressed (button.value() == 0), the LED turns OFF.

• sleep(0.001) adds a tiny delay to avoid unnecessary CPU load.

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Applications

• Basic digital input handling.

• Foundation for building user interfaces (like switches or sensors).

• Can be expanded into memory games, door alarms, or counters.

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 Advantages

• Simple and very easy to understand.

• Helps grasp core GPIO concepts (input/output).

• Can be modified to include more buttons, LEDs, or logic.

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 Limitations

• No software debounce (LED may flicker if button bounces).

• Only controls one LED with one button.

• Doesn’t store LED state after button release.

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 Suggestions

• Add software debounce logic using delay or state tracking.

• Use toggle logic to remember the state after button release.

• Expand with multiple LEDs and buttons for more complex projects.

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References

• Raspberry Pi Pico GPIO documentation.

• Youtube.

• Concept explained and guided by ChatGPT.

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 Conclusion

This simple LED control project using a push button and Raspberry Pi Pico is an excellent way to start learning real-world input/output programming. It lays the foundation for more advanced interaction-based microcontroller projects.