Arduino Leonardo cannot be recognized by Windows

[tarantululala]

I have already tried the available methods I found, but none of them worked.

First, after I plugged in the Arduino, Windows displayed 'Device Descriptor Request Failed.'

Then, I installed the Arduino IDE, but this did not solve the issue.

So, I attempted to manually install the driver through Device Manager. I chose the following directory:
C:\Users\Administrator\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\arduino\hardware\avr\1.8.6\drivers and tried to update manually.

However, I kept getting the message: 'Windows has determined that the best driver for this device is already installed. A better driver might be available on Windows Update or the device manufacturer's website.'

When I selected 'Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer,' the only option I saw was 'Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor Request Failed).'

When I tried to open the IDE for updates, similar options showed that I had connected an unsupported development board.

I am quite certain that this Leonardo is not faulty because I used it a year ago, and it worked perfectly with the IDE for uploading and usage.

[ptillisch]

Hi @tarantululala. Please try this experiment and then report back with the results:

1. Connect the Arduino board to your computer with the USB cable.
2. Press and release the reset button on the Arduino board.

Now please reply here on the forum thread with the answer to the following question:

• Do you see the LED marked "L" on the board pulse after performing the above instructions?

[tarantululala]

After pressing the reset button, the LED labeled "L" starts flashing and then dims.

[sterretje]

The LED should fade in and out for approximately 8 seconds. Is that indeed the case?

If the LED fades in and out, check the behaviour in Windows device manager. You should see a Leonardo bootloader entry under the Ports section.

If you see that you should be able to upload using the below procedure.

1. Disconnect anything from the board except the USB.
2. Select a port in the IDE; it doesn't matter which one.
   • If you can't select a port, reset the board and while the LED is fading select the port (COM19 in my system).
3. Perform an upload of the blink sketch.
4. When the IDE reports the memory usage, tap the reset button on the Leonardo.

Hopefully the upload will succeed.

[tarantululala]

I checked the Device Manager and only saw this Communications port (COM1)
COM1 was not detected as Arduino.

When I open the Arduino IDE and go to "Select Board," I can see the port I connected (COM1), but its name is "Unknown." I clicked "Select other board and port" and manually selected Leonardo on the left. However, after following your steps, it always gets stuck at "Uploading..."

[tarantululala]

I did it, everyone! I doubted everything and explored all possible solutions, but I never thought of changing the cable connecting the Arduino to the computer. I swapped it out, and I got it working. Thanks for all your help!