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Arduino Serial Monitor is Not Working? 5 Tested Solutions
Make sure that the baud rate matches your code
2 min. read
Updated onOctober 30, 2024
updated onOctober 30, 2024
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WithArduino,the Serial Monitor is afeaturethat can help in debugging sketches or controlling the device from your computer’s keyboard. Also, you can use the Serial Monitor to viewdatasent by a working sketch.
Sometimes the Serial Monitor just shows a blank page. Although, theArduinosketch containsSerial.print()andSerial.println()functions, the text doesn’t appear in the serial monitor. To see the Serial Monitor, theArduinomust be connected by USB to your computer.
What can I do if the Arduino Serial Monitor isn’t working?
1. Verify the communication ports
Arduinoand theArduinoIDE should be connected to the same communications port. Unplugging and plugging back theArduinocan switch the ports.
For a simple check, re-upload the sketch from the same IDE that you are using to open the Serial Monitor.
2. Match the band rate on the Serial Port
The Serial Monitor on the computer and the Serial Port on theArduinomust have the same data rate (baud rate).
Usually, the baud rate is 9600, so the programming statement isSerial.begin(9600). Set the same value for the Serial Monitor from the dropdown box in the lower-right corner.
3. Make sure the programming statements are being executed
TheSerial.begin()andSerial.println()programming statements must be executed. Sometimes a branching statement, such asifandelse, will cause these statements to be missed.
Also, if they are not being executed, the Serial Port will not function.
4. Check the statements for syntax errors
Examine theSerial.print()andSerial.println()statements forsyntax errors. Sinceprintandprintlnare common among several programming languages, sometimes a usage that is valid in one doesn’t work with theArduino.
5. Check the wiring
Inspect the wiring of any circuit connected to theArduino. The digital pins 0 and 1 should not be used. Both are connected to the components on theArduinothat performs the serial text communication and may not be simultaneously used for something else.
To conclude, we hope that these indications were somewhat helpful to fix the Serial Monitor issue. Any feedback is welcome in the comments section below.
Radu Tyrsina
Radu Tyrsina has been a Windows fan ever since he got his first PC, a Pentium III (a monster at that time).
For most of the kids of his age, the Internet was an amazing way to play and communicate with others, but he was deeply impressed by the flow of information and how easily you can find anything on the web.
Prior to founding Windows Report, this particular curiosity about digital content enabled him to grow a number of sites that helped hundreds of millions reach faster the answer they’re looking for.
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