The new Arduino Uno R4 WiFi USB C is not backward compatible with USB 3, and probably not backward compatible to USB 2 either.
The board comes with a USB C to USB 2/3 cable which leads one to believe it should be backward compatible. I am sure that this will be fixed with some future firmware update. But as of now I can only get it to work from a native USB C connection on a Windows 10 or MacBook Air. I assume that it will work fine through any USB C to USB C connection. All USB 2 and 3 connections fail.
I am glad the board comes with a USB C to USB 2/3 cable, but that cable, or any other USB 2/3 cable has proven to be useless. So get a USB C to USB C cable hooked up to a native USB C port on your computer and be happy. Otherwise spend hours and days trying to get the original provided cable to work. Beware, that is a time trap. I have just decided to move on until they get the firmware firmer. I am sure they can as stock ESP32s have no problems with this.
I am not displeased nor angry with Arduino. I am happy with their new offering. I am just trying to save my fellow Arduinonistas some time and frustration at the beginning of this new Arduino board's life.
The obvious go/no go connection information comes from the Windows Device Manager. With USB C you are greeted with the standard serial port connection, which you can plug and unplug all day and everything is okay. When doing the same with the legacy USB nothing happens.
I got my board directly from Arduino.cc and it came with a cable in the box.
So what kind of computer and ports are you using? I have tired a variety of older Windows 10 and Linux boxes. Still no go....
Note: most if not all of my testing on these boards is with these cables plugged into a powered USB hub. Where each port has a switch to turn on and off the port.
It is a Windows 10 PC on hardware that is 6 or 7 years old. I neither know nor care what type of USB port it is using. It is plugged into a 7 way powered USB powered hub that I use for all my Arduino related boards (1 Leo, 1 clone Nano, 1 ESP32 and the Uno R4 WiFi currently plugged in and all working) and I have no idea whether the hub is plugged into a USB 2 or 3 port. I have multiple USB cables of various vintages, none of which are special in any way. The USB cable that I am using with the Uno R4 was purchased at the local Supermarket so is unlikely to be exceptional in any way apart from being cheap
As you have tried several PCs and Linux boxes then I would suspect a fault with the cable or the board
The problem has been fixed. All is well now. The cable that came packed inside my Uno R4 WiFi was defective; and yes it really did come inside my device. I bought it directly from Arduino just a few days after the device became public - July 19, 2023.
Because of this community I was forced to dig around in my pile of tangled USB cables and find a different USB C to USB 2/3. I found a premium looking version, plugged it in, and Windows 10 device manager made and noise. And there it was. I will not be able to get all that wasted time back, but at least I don't have to waste more.
Thanks for your responses. I am moving on. Now I am going to try it with a USB hub or two as several have mentioned. Bye for now.
That's sort-of interesting, since neither of my R4 boards (also direct from Arduino) came with a cable. Did they have some sort of "introductory special offer"?
No, I do not think so, Does not sound like something Arduino would do. Furthermore I also bought the board a t a similar time (2 days post launch) and did not receive anything.