diff --git a/usermods/BH1750_v2/usermod_bh1750.h b/usermods/BH1750_v2/usermod_bh1750.h
index ddc7a33f..bd1f0cf9 100644
--- a/usermods/BH1750_v2/usermod_bh1750.h
+++ b/usermods/BH1750_v2/usermod_bh1750.h
@@ -139,10 +139,15 @@ public:
     
 #if defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32)
       if (pins[1].pin < 0 || pins[0].pin < 0)  { sensorFound=false; enabled=false; return; }  //WLEDMM bugfix - ensure that "final" GPIO are valid and no "-1" sneaks trough
-      Wire.begin(pins[1].pin, pins[0].pin);  // WLEDMM this might silently fail, which is OK as it just means that I2C bus is already running.
+      //Wire.begin(pins[1].pin, pins[0].pin);  // WLEDMM this might silently fail, which is OK as it just means that I2C bus is already running.
 #else
-      Wire.begin();  // WLEDMM - i2c pins on 8266 are fixed.
+      //Wire.begin();  // WLEDMM - i2c pins on 8266 are fixed.
 #endif
+    if (!pinManager.joinWire()) {  // WLEDMM - this allocates global I2C pins, then starts Wire - if not started previously
+      sensorFound = false;
+      enabled = false;
+      return;
+    }
 
     sensorFound = lightMeter.begin();
     initDone = true;
@@ -222,11 +227,11 @@ public:
 
   void appendConfigData() {
     oappend(SET_F("addHB('")); oappend(SET_F(_name)); oappend("');");
-
-    oappend(SET_F("addInfo('BH1750:pin[]',0,'','I2C SCL');"));
-    oappend(SET_F("rOption('BH1750:pin[]',0,'use global (")); oappendi(i2c_scl); oappend(")',-1);"); 
-    oappend(SET_F("addInfo('BH1750:pin[]',1,'','I2C SDA');"));
-    oappend(SET_F("rOption('BH1750:pin[]',1,'use global (")); oappendi(i2c_sda); oappend(")',-1);"); 
+    // WLEDMM this usermod can ONLY use HW_I2C - so always use globals
+    //oappend(SET_F("addInfo('BH1750:pin[]',0,'','I2C SCL');"));
+    //oappend(SET_F("rOption('BH1750:pin[]',0,'use global (")); oappendi(i2c_scl); oappend(")',-1);"); 
+    //oappend(SET_F("addInfo('BH1750:pin[]',1,'','I2C SDA');"));
+    //oappend(SET_F("rOption('BH1750:pin[]',1,'use global (")); oappendi(i2c_sda); oappend(")',-1);"); 
   }    
 
   // (called from set.cpp) stores persistent properties to cfg.json
@@ -239,10 +244,12 @@ public:
     top[FPSTR(_minReadInterval)] = minReadingInterval;
     top[FPSTR(_HomeAssistantDiscovery)] = HomeAssistantDiscovery;
     top[FPSTR(_offset)] = offset;
-    JsonArray io_pin = top.createNestedArray(F("pin"));
+
+    // WLEDMM this usermod can ONLY use HW_I2C - so always use globals
+    //JsonArray io_pin = top.createNestedArray(F("pin"));
     //WLEDMM: avoid global pin hijacking
-    io_pin.add((ioPin[0]==i2c_scl)?-1:ioPin[0]);
-    io_pin.add((ioPin[1]==i2c_sda)?-1:ioPin[1]);
+    //io_pin.add((ioPin[0]==i2c_scl)?-1:ioPin[0]);
+    //io_pin.add((ioPin[1]==i2c_sda)?-1:ioPin[1]);
 
     // top[F("help4Pins")] = F("SCL,SDA"); // help for Settings page
 
@@ -252,7 +259,8 @@ public:
   // called before setup() to populate properties from values stored in cfg.json
   bool readFromConfig(JsonObject &root)
   {
-    int8_t newPin[2]; for (byte i=0; i<2; i++) newPin[i] = ioPin[i]; // prepare to note changed pins
+    int8_t newPin[2] = {-1, -1}; // WLEDMM this usermod can ONLY use HW_I2C - so always use globals
+    //for (byte i=0; i<2; i++) newPin[i] = ioPin[i]; // prepare to note changed pins
 
     // we look for JSON object.
     JsonObject top = root[FPSTR(_name)];
@@ -270,7 +278,8 @@ public:
     configComplete &= getJsonValue(top[FPSTR(_minReadInterval)], minReadingInterval, 500); //ms
     configComplete &= getJsonValue(top[FPSTR(_HomeAssistantDiscovery)], HomeAssistantDiscovery, false);
     configComplete &= getJsonValue(top[FPSTR(_offset)], offset, 1);
-    for (byte i=0; i<2; i++) configComplete &= getJsonValue(top[F("pin")][i], newPin[i], ioPin[i]);
+    // WLEDMM this usermod can ONLY use HW_I2C - so always use globals
+    //for (byte i=0; i<2; i++) configComplete &= getJsonValue(top[F("pin")][i], newPin[i], ioPin[i]);
 
     DEBUG_PRINT(FPSTR(_name));
     if (!initDone) {
@@ -285,6 +294,7 @@ public:
       if (pinsChanged) { //if pins changed, deallocate old pins and allocate new ones
         PinOwner po = PinOwner::UM_BH1750;
         if (ioPin[0]==i2c_scl && ioPin[1]==i2c_sda) po = PinOwner::HW_I2C;  // allow multiple allocations of HW I2C bus pins
+        if (ioPin[0]==-1 && ioPin[1]==-1) po = PinOwner::HW_I2C;            // WLEDMM global HW I2C bus pins
         pinManager.deallocateMultiplePins((const uint8_t *)ioPin, 2, po);  // deallocate pins
         for (byte i=0; i<2; i++) ioPin[i] = newPin[i];
         setup();
diff --git a/usermods/BME280_v2/usermod_bme280.h b/usermods/BME280_v2/usermod_bme280.h
index 85a0c6d2..33af62d6 100644
--- a/usermods/BME280_v2/usermod_bme280.h
+++ b/usermods/BME280_v2/usermod_bme280.h
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ private:
   void UpdateBME280Data(int SensorType)
   {
     float _temperature, _humidity, _pressure;
+    if (!enabled || (sensorType == 0)) return;  // WLEDMM bugfix
 
     if (UseCelsius) {
       BME280::TempUnit tempUnit(BME280::TempUnit_Celsius);
@@ -183,12 +184,13 @@ public:
   void setup()
   {
     bool HW_Pins_Used = (ioPin[0]==i2c_scl && ioPin[1]==i2c_sda); // note whether architecture-based hardware SCL/SDA pins used
-    PinOwner po = PinOwner::UM_BME280; // defaults to being pinowner for SCL/SDA pins
+    //PinOwner po = PinOwner::UM_BME280; // defaults to being pinowner for SCL/SDA pins  // WLEDMM not needed
     PinManagerPinType pins[2] = { { ioPin[0], true }, { ioPin[1], true } };  // allocate pins
-    if (HW_Pins_Used) po = PinOwner::HW_I2C; // allow multiple allocations of HW I2C bus pins
-    if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, po)) { sensorType=0; return; }
-    
-    Wire.begin(ioPin[1], ioPin[0]);
+    //if (HW_Pins_Used) po = PinOwner::HW_I2C; // allow multiple allocations of HW I2C bus pins  // WLEDMM not needed
+    // WLEDMM join I2C HW wire
+    if (!pinManager.joinWire()) { sensorType=0; enabled = false; return; }
+    //if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, po)) { sensorType=0; return; }
+    //Wire.begin(ioPin[1], ioPin[0]);
 
     if (!bme.begin())
     {
diff --git a/usermods/RTC/usermod_rtc.h b/usermods/RTC/usermod_rtc.h
index daf31e8c..f25e16e3 100644
--- a/usermods/RTC/usermod_rtc.h
+++ b/usermods/RTC/usermod_rtc.h
@@ -17,11 +17,18 @@ class RTCUsermod : public Usermod {
     void setup() {
       PinManagerPinType pins[2] = { { i2c_scl, true }, { i2c_sda, true } };
       if (pins[1].pin < 0 || pins[0].pin < 0)  { disabled=true; return; }  //WLEDMM bugfix - ensure that "final" GPIO are valid and no "-1" sneaks trough
-      if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, PinOwner::HW_I2C)) { disabled = true; return; }
+
+      // WLEDMM join hardware I2C
+      if (!pinManager.joinWire()) {  // WLEDMM - this allocates global I2C pins, then starts Wire - if not started previously
+        disabled = true;
+        return;
+      }
+
+      //if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, PinOwner::HW_I2C)) { disabled = true; return; }
 #if defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32)
-      Wire.begin(pins[1].pin, pins[0].pin);  // WLEDMM this might silently fail, which is OK as it just means that I2C bus is already running.
+      //Wire.begin(pins[1].pin, pins[0].pin);  // WLEDMM this might silently fail, which is OK as it just means that I2C bus is already running.
 #else
-      Wire.begin();  // WLEDMM - i2c pins on 8266 are fixed.
+      //Wire.begin();  // WLEDMM - i2c pins on 8266 are fixed.
 #endif
 
       RTC.begin();
diff --git a/usermods/VL53L0X_gestures/usermod_vl53l0x_gestures.h b/usermods/VL53L0X_gestures/usermod_vl53l0x_gestures.h
index 39c2c3ef..fb616e45 100644
--- a/usermods/VL53L0X_gestures/usermod_vl53l0x_gestures.h
+++ b/usermods/VL53L0X_gestures/usermod_vl53l0x_gestures.h
@@ -50,14 +50,21 @@ class UsermodVL53L0XGestures : public Usermod {
   public:
 
     void setup() {
-      PinManagerPinType pins[2] = { { i2c_scl, true }, { i2c_sda, true } };
-      if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, PinOwner::HW_I2C)) { enabled = false; return; }
-      Wire.begin();
+      // WLEDMM join hardware I2C
+      if (!pinManager.joinWire()) {  // WLEDMM - this allocates global I2C pins, then starts Wire - if not started previously
+        enabled = false;
+        return;
+      }
+
+      //PinManagerPinType pins[2] = { { i2c_scl, true }, { i2c_sda, true } };
+      //if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, PinOwner::HW_I2C)) { enabled = false; return; }
+      //Wire.begin();
 
       sensor.setTimeout(150);
       if (!sensor.init())
       {
         DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Failed to detect and initialize VL53L0X sensor!"));
+        enabled = false;      // WLEDMM bugfix
       } else {
         sensor.setMeasurementTimingBudget(20000); // set high speed mode
       }
diff --git a/usermods/mpu6050_imu/usermod_mpu6050_imu.h b/usermods/mpu6050_imu/usermod_mpu6050_imu.h
index 12904c0a..9e2a4c2d 100644
--- a/usermods/mpu6050_imu/usermod_mpu6050_imu.h
+++ b/usermods/mpu6050_imu/usermod_mpu6050_imu.h
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@
 // Arduino Wire library is required if I2Cdev I2CDEV_ARDUINO_WIRE implementation
 // is used in I2Cdev.h
 #if I2CDEV_IMPLEMENTATION == I2CDEV_ARDUINO_WIRE
-    #include "Wire.h"
+    //#include "Wire.h"        // WLEDMM not necessary
 #endif
 
 // ================================================================
@@ -127,20 +127,23 @@ class MPU6050Driver : public Usermod {
       }
 
       if (pins[1].pin < 0 || pins[0].pin < 0)  { enabled=false; dmpReady = false; return; }  //WLEDMM bugfix - ensure that "final" GPIO are valid and no "-1" sneaks trough
+      //if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, PinOwner::HW_I2C)) {       
 
-      if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, PinOwner::HW_I2C)) { 
+      // WLEDMM join I2C HW wire
+      if (!pinManager.joinWire()) {
         enabled = false;
+        dmpReady = false;
         USER_PRINTF("mpu6050: failed to allocate I2C sda=%d scl=%d\n", i2c_sda, i2c_scl);
         return;
       }
-    // WLEDMM end
+      // WLEDMM end
 
       // join I2C bus (I2Cdev library doesn't do this automatically)
       #if I2CDEV_IMPLEMENTATION == I2CDEV_ARDUINO_WIRE
 #if defined(ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32)
-      Wire.begin(pins[1].pin, pins[0].pin);        // WLEDMM fix - need to use proper pins, in case that Wire was not started yet. Call will silently fail if Wire is initialized already.
+      //Wire.begin(pins[1].pin, pins[0].pin);        // WLEDMM fix - need to use proper pins, in case that Wire was not started yet. Call will silently fail if Wire is initialized already.
 #else
-      Wire.begin();  // WLEDMM - i2c pins on 8266 are fixed.
+      //Wire.begin();  // WLEDMM - i2c pins on 8266 are fixed.
 #endif
 
           Wire.setClock(400000); // 400kHz I2C clock. Comment this line if having compilation difficulties
diff --git a/usermods/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT.h b/usermods/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT.h
index a3258c22..bcd6f81e 100644
--- a/usermods/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT.h
+++ b/usermods/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT/usermod_v2_four_line_display_ALT.h
@@ -348,8 +348,14 @@ class FourLineDisplayUsermod : public Usermod {
         // isHW = true;
         if (isHW) po = PinOwner::HW_I2C;  // allow multiple allocations of HW I2C bus pins
         PinManagerPinType pins[2] = { {ioPin[0], true }, { ioPin[1], true } };
+
         if (ioPin[0] < 0 || ioPin[1] < 0)  { typeOK=false; strcpy(errorMessage, PSTR("I2C No Pins defined")); return; }  //WLEDMM bugfix - ensure that "final" GPIO are valid
-        if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, po)) { typeOK=false; strcpy(errorMessage, PSTR("I2C Alloc pins failed")); return; }
+
+        if (isHW) {
+          if (!pinManager.joinWire(ioPin[1], ioPin[0])) { typeOK=false; strcpy(errorMessage, PSTR("I2C init failed")); return; }  // WLEDMM join the HW bus
+        } else {
+          if (!pinManager.allocateMultiplePins(pins, 2, po)) { typeOK=false; strcpy(errorMessage, PSTR("I2C Alloc pins failed")); return; } // WLEDMM use software bus
+        }
       }
 
       DEBUG_PRINTLN(F("Allocating display."));
@@ -462,7 +468,7 @@ class FourLineDisplayUsermod : public Usermod {
      */
     void loop() {
     #ifndef ARDUINO_ARCH_ESP32
-      if (!enabled || strip.isUpdating()) return;
+      if (!enabled || !typeOK || strip.isUpdating()) return;
       unsigned long now = millis();
       if (now < nextUpdate) return;
       nextUpdate = now + ((displayTurnedOff && clockMode && showSeconds) ? 1000 : refreshRate);