Is this solved? I face the same problem. LED using GPIO doesn't work but it works with RMT for addressable LED.

You say your esp and spi have separate power sources. They must have common grounds. Honestly, having multiple 3v3 domains in a project like this is just asking for a small fire. Thanks. Yes I do have common grounds. Ok it turned out to be faulty connection. Changed the wires and it works fine now....

I am using ESP-WROOM-32 on a breakout board and not any development board https://image.made-in-china.com/202f0j00ugpRhyEWOzcn/Adapter-Breakout-Board-for-Esp-32f-Esp32-Esp-Wroom-32-Wireless-Bluetooth-Module.jpg . I connected it to ILI9341 SPI device (TFT display) as slave on VSPI pins. When I power ...