A4988 driver stops arduino from working

[turkigh98]

Hello,
So I'm currently working on this CNC machine project that works on UNO, CNC shield, A4988 stepper drivers and stepper motors. Everything seems to work as intended until I have the drivers plugged in, that is when the UNO seems to disappear from my device manager as if it isn't even plugged into my PC. I've tried powering it with a 12v power supply as I'm working but nothing really changed.

[Ballscrewbob]

turkigh98
Your topic was Moved to it’s current location / section as it is more suitable.

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[groundFungus]

My guess is that you are plugging the A4988 backwards. Make sure that the pins labeled 1A, 1B ,2A, 2B line up with the header for connecting the stepper wires.

The potentiometer on the A4988 board will is opposite to where the pot is on the DRV8825 driver board.

[turkigh98]

All pins are lined up with the stepper wires.

[Ballscrewbob]

@turkigh98

A4988

If the shield AND the driver boards are correct check your stepper motor wiring

Not all chinese cables are wired correctly

[turkigh98]

The Arduino UNO disconnects as soon as I plug the drivers in. Motors were not connected yet.

[Ballscrewbob]

Then you have a short on the shield somewhere and need to try the Arduino on its own WITHOUT the shield to ensure it is not damaged.

Once you are sure the Arduino is OK then check the shield very carefully for bad solder joints / bridges etc.

Also double check the orientation of the drivers as some have the potentiometer at the top and others at the bottom.

[TomGeorge]

Hi,
Do you have a DMM?
If so measure the 5V pin on the UNO and see what happens when you connect the drivers.
What happens if you plug the drivers in one at a time?
Or have you soldered the drivers in?

Thanks.. Tom..