Title: Try Your First Scan
Description: Confirm GhostESP is working with a passive Wi-Fi scan.
URL: /v2.1/getting-started/first-scan/
Version: v2.1
Section: Getting Started
Search index: /search-index.json

# Try Your First Scan

> Confirm GhostESP is working with a passive Wi-Fi scan.

## On this page

- [What this does](#what-this-does)
- [Before you start](#before-you-start)
- [On-device steps](#on-device-steps)
- [CLI steps](#cli-steps)
- [Expected result](#expected-result)
- [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting)
- [Related tasks](#related-tasks)

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## What this does
This first task passively lists nearby Wi-Fi access points. It does not connect to a network or transmit anything.
## Before you start
- GhostESP is flashed and powered on.
- Use the on-device UI or a serial CLI connection. Do not run this scan from the WebUI on a single-board setup because the Wi-Fi radio is hosting GhostNet.
- Attach the board’s supported Wi-Fi antenna if it has an external antenna connector.
## On-device steps
- Open Menu → WiFi → Scanning.
- Choose Scan Access Points.
- Wait for the scan to complete.
- Choose List Access Points to review the results.
## CLI steps
- Open the GhostESP serial terminal.
- Run scanap.
- Wait for the scan to finish.
- Run list -a to view the saved access-point list.
## Expected result
GhostESP lists nearby networks with their name, channel, signal strength, and manufacturer when available. If no networks appear, move closer to a known access point and try again.
## Troubleshooting
- No networks found: Confirm the board supports Wi-Fi, attach its antenna if applicable, move closer to an access point, and scan again.
- The scan stops immediately: Stop any active Wi-Fi task or portal, then retry.
- The WebUI disconnects: Run Wi-Fi scans from the on-device UI or serial CLI, not from the WebUI on a single-board setup.
## Related tasks
- [Scan nearby Wi-Fi networks](/v2.1/wifi/survey/)
- [Connect GhostESP to a Wi-Fi network](/v2.1/wifi/connect/)
- [Connect to GhostESP](/v2.1/getting-started/control-methods/)