1. Why Won’t My Arduino Work?

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3. from the computer through the USB cable?
1. Is the Arduino plugged in???
Is the green indicator light illuminated? Is the Arduino receiving power
from the computer through the USB cable?

4. 2. Are the Arduino drivers installed?
NOTE: Once your Arduino works on your computer for the first time, this is probably not why your Arduino no longer works … just proceed to step 3 and come back to this after checking everything else.
Open “Control Panel” and then click on “Hardware and Sound”

5. 2. Are the Arduino drivers installed?
click on
“Device Manager”

6. 2. Are the Arduino drivers installed?
If you see this, then your Arduino driver or IDE (integrated development environment) has probably not been properly installed
Refer to an earlier presentation tells how to install the Arduino IDE and drivers
You should see something like this

7. 3. Does the Arduino IDE “see” the Arduino through a COM port?
If the COM port is not checked, then try to check it with your mouse
If it won’t check, then your Arduino IDE is not seeing the Arduino. Try these steps:
unplug the Arduino and close the Arduino IDE
plug the Arduino back in and start the Arduino IDE again
wait a few seconds and then check your COM port again (as shown above)
if this still doesn’t work, reboot your computer and repeat the above procedure
if it still doesn’t work, try another Arduino (your instructor has another one)

8. 4. Be sure that you are using the right hardware (there are different versions of the Arduino microcontroller)

9. 5. Try running a program that you know works.
For example, load and run the blink program. The built-in LED should flash on and off; change the values in the delay(1000) command from 1000 to 200 to make sure it works properly (it should blink faster).

10. 6. If your Arduino still doesn’t work, then …
Unplug your Arduino from your computer and close your Arduino program
Plug your Arduino back in, and wait about five seconds
Re-open your Arduino program
Check under tools > port to see if your computer is recognizing your Arduino
If so, try to upload a program such as the Blink program to confirm that it’s working.
7. If your Arduino still doesn’t work, then …
Shut down your computer and repeat step 6 above.
8. If your Arduino still doesn’t work, then …
You may have a short on your breadboard. Unplug the wires leaving your Arduino and repeat step 6 above.

11. 9. If your Arduino still doesn’t work, then …
Try a friend’s Arduino. If their Arduino works, then you may have a damaged Arduino.
10. If your Arduino still doesn’t work, then …
Try plugging your Arduino into a friend’s computer. If your Arduino works with their computer, then your computer may not be running the Arduino software properly. In this case, go back to step 2.

12. 11. If you are still having trouble getting your Arduino to work, then it is important that you get some help:
Helpdesk in Bogard Hall 129
Sunday through Thursday 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Your Professor
Go see him or her during office hours