Getting Started w/ Arduino on Windows
This document explains how to connect your Arduino board to the computer and upload your first sketch.
(:*toc :)
1 | Get an Arduino board and USB cable
In this tutorial, we assume you're using an Arduino Uno,
2 | Download the Arduino environment
Get the latest version from the
download page.When the download finishes, unzip the downloaded file. Make sure to preserve the folder structure. Double-click the folder to open it. There should be a few files and sub-folders inside.
3 | Connect the board
The Arduino Uno, Mega, Duemilanove and Arduino Nano automatically draw power from either the USB connection to the computer or an external power supply. If you're using an Arduino Diecimila, you'll need to make sure that the board is configured to draw power from the USB connection. The power source is selected with a jumper, a small piece of plastic that fits onto two of the three pins between the USB and power jacks. Check that it's on the two pins closest to the USB port.
Connect the Arduino board to your computer using the USB cable. The green power LED (labelled PWR) should go on.
4 | Install the drivers
Installing drivers for theWhen the download finishes, unzip the downloaded file. Make sure to preserve the folder structure. Double-click the folder to open it. There should be a few files and sub-folders inside.
3 | Connect the board
The Arduino Uno, Mega, Duemilanove and Arduino Nano automatically draw power from either the USB connection to the computer or an external power supply. If you're using an Arduino Diecimila, you'll need to make sure that the board is configured to draw power from the USB connection. The power source is selected with a jumper, a small piece of plastic that fits onto two of the three pins between the USB and power jacks. Check that it's on the two pins closest to the USB port.
Connect the Arduino board to your computer using the USB cable. The green power LED (labelled PWR) should go on.
4 | Install the drivers
Installing drivers for the See also: step-by-step screenshots for installing the Uno under Windows XP.
Installing drivers for the FTDI website.) Click next.
You can check that the drivers have been installed by opening the Windows Device Mananger (in the Hardware tab of System control panel). Look for a "USB Serial Port" in the Ports section; that's the Arduino board.
5 | Launch the Arduino application
Double-click the Arduino application. (Note: if the Arduino software loads in the wrong language, you can change it in the preferences dialog. See the environment page for details.)
6 | Open the blink example
Open the LED blink example sketch: File >> Arduino Examples >> 1.Basics >> Blink.
7 | Select your board
You'll need to select the entry in the Tools >> Board menu that corresponds to your Arduino.
Selecting an Arduino Uno
For Duemilanove Arduino boards with an ATmega328 (check the text on the chip on the board), select Arduino Duemilanove or Nano w/ ATmega328. Previously, Arduino boards came with an ATmega168; for those, select Arduino Diecimila, Duemilanove, or Nano w/ ATmega168. (Details of the board menu entries are available on the web on the environment page or locally in the Guide Environment page.)
8 | Select your serial port
Select the serial device of the Arduino board from the Tools | Serial Port menu. This is likely to be COM3 or higher (COM1 and COM2 are usually reserved for hardware serial ports). To find out, you can disconnect your Arduino board and re-open the menu; the entry that disappears should be the Arduino board. Reconnect the board and select that serial port.
9 | Upload the program
Now, simply click the "Upload" button in the environment. Wait a few seconds - you should see RX and TX leds on board flashing. If is successful, message "Done uploading." will appear status bar. (> Note: If you have an Arduino Mini, NG, or other board, you'll need to physically present the reset button on the board immediately before pressing the upload button.)
on the environment page.)8 | Select your serial port
Select the serial device of the Arduino board from the Tools | Serial Port menu. This is likely to be COM3 or higher (COM1 and COM2 are usually reserved for hardware serial ports). To find out, you can disconnect your Arduino board and re-open the menu; the entry that disappears should be the Arduino board. Reconnect the board and select that serial port.
9 | Upload the program
Now, simply click the "Upload" button in the environment. Wait a few seconds - you should see RX and TX leds on board flashing. If is successful, message "Done uploading." will appear status bar. (>
A few seconds after the upload finishes, you should see the pin 13 (L) LED on the board start to blink (in orange). If it does, congratulations! You've gotten Arduino up-and-running.
8 | Select your serial port
Select the serial device of the Arduino board from the Tools | Serial Port menu. This is likely to be COM3 or higher (COM1 and COM2 are usually reserved for hardware serial ports). To find out, you can disconnect your Arduino board and re-open the menu; the entry that disappears should be the Arduino board. Reconnect the board and select that serial port.
9 | Upload the program
Now, simply click the "Upload" button in the environment. Wait a few seconds - you should see RX and TX leds on board flashing. If is successful, message "Done uploading." will appear status bar. (>If you have problems, please see the troubleshooting suggestions.
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The text of the Arduino getting started guide is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License. Code samples in the guide are released into the public domain.