# Arduino with LCD Issues **URL:** \ **Category:** Displays\ **Created:** [September 7, 2022, 1:28am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378 "2022-09-07T01:28:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![iwishmylcdworked090](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@iwishmylcdworked090](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/iwishmylcdworked090)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:28am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/1 "2022-09-07T01:28:52Z")
I recently bought an Arduino micro, a generic 16x2 LCD, and some other stuff. When I try to power up the LCD, nothing happens. I am using the Hello world example already in the editor. To my best knowledge, all the connections are the same as in the example. ![WIN_20220906_20_22_32_Pro](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/9/e/5/9e587f49e52bae3b92f28f7f74b6417a2c15c41f.jpeg) I have a basic understanding of electronics. I am really confused right now, thanks in advance for the help! (Heres the code I am using, just in case you need it.) ```cpp /* LiquidCrystal Library - Hello World Demonstrates the use a 16x2 LCD display. The LiquidCrystal library works with all LCD displays that are compatible with the Hitachi HD44780 driver. There are many of them out there, and you can usually tell them by the 16-pin interface. This sketch prints "Hello World!" to the LCD and shows the time. The circuit: * LCD RS pin to digital pin 12 * LCD Enable pin to digital pin 11 * LCD D4 pin to digital pin 5 * LCD D5 pin to digital pin 4 * LCD D6 pin to digital pin 3 * LCD D7 pin to digital pin 2 * LCD R/W pin to ground * LCD VSS pin to ground * LCD VCC pin to 5V * 10K resistor: * ends to +5V and ground * wiper to LCD VO pin (pin 3) Library originally added 18 Apr 2008 by David A. Mellis library modified 5 Jul 2009 by Limor Fried (http://www.ladyada.net) example added 9 Jul 2009 by Tom Igoe modified 22 Nov 2010 by Tom Igoe modified 7 Nov 2016 by Arturo Guadalupi This example code is in the public domain. http://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/LiquidCrystalHelloWorld */ // include the library code: #include // initialize the library by associating any needed LCD interface pin // with the arduino pin number it is connected to const int rs = 12, en = 11, d4 = 5, d5 = 4, d6 = 3, d7 = 2; LiquidCrystal lcd(rs, en, d4, d5, d6, d7); void setup() { // set up the LCD's number of columns and rows: lcd.begin(16, 2); // Print a message to the LCD. lcd.print("hello, world!"); } void loop() { // set the cursor to column 0, line 1 // (note: line 1 is the second row, since counting begins with 0): lcd.setCursor(0, 1); // print the number of seconds since reset: lcd.print(millis() / 1000); } ``` ---
**Author:** ![kouzerumatsukite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9bd4f/32.png) [@kouzerumatsukite](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/kouzerumatsukite)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:41am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/2 "2022-09-07T01:41:57Z")
If it doesn't work, it has to be some misconnections. You may need to review the instructions again and examine some of the error wirings. ---
**Author:** ![iwishmylcdworked090](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@iwishmylcdworked090](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/iwishmylcdworked090)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:50am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/3 "2022-09-07T01:50:34Z")
I have already checked and rechecked the connections, and they seem to be going to the right pins. Unless I have some bad wires, I don't think this is the issue. ---
**Author:** ![sergetechone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/97f17d/32.png) [@sergetechone](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/sergetechone)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 2:07am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/4 "2022-09-07T02:07:45Z")
turn the pot. let see some dots and adjust until you almost see them. ---
**Author:** ![Idahowalker](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/idahowalker/32/238858_2.png) [@Idahowalker](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/Idahowalker)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 2:15am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/5 "2022-09-07T02:15:40Z")
Many of those 'longer' breadboards power rails are not continuous from end to end. To make the power rails end to end a jumper needs to be placed across the middle pins. ![](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/6/9/b/69b0ed725fc53bf9f5a73bc0c7eb2a1a31a13060.png) The red line represents a break in the power rails that need to be jumpered if the power rail is to be from end to end. ---
**Author:** ![sergetechone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/97f17d/32.png) [@sergetechone](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/sergetechone)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 2:32am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/6 "2022-09-07T02:32:08Z")
or you can check with a DVM to confirm if you got 5 V at the pot, the LCD display. ---
**Author:** ![TomGeorge](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tomgeorge/32/215261_2.png) [@TomGeorge](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TomGeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 2:56am UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/7 "2022-09-07T02:56:31Z")
BINGO.. ![bingo](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/8/0/7/807f30c9cd5ec182cc7985dd6a718de97a4fd220.jpeg) Tom... 😃 👍 ☕ 🇦🇺 ---
**Author:** ![iwishmylcdworked090](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@iwishmylcdworked090](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/iwishmylcdworked090)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:06pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/8 "2022-09-07T13:06:04Z")
I believe that gap is there because I am operating the LCD in 4-bit mode ---
**Author:** ![TomGeorge](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tomgeorge/32/215261_2.png) [@TomGeorge](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TomGeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:09pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/9 "2022-09-07T13:09:29Z")
No the gap is because that is how the protoboard is constructed. You need to put jumpers across each of the breaks so each side has a continuous connection. Do you have a DMM? How do you think the LCD module gets its power? Tom... 😃 👍 ☕ 🇦🇺 ---
**Author:** ![iwishmylcdworked090](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@iwishmylcdworked090](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/iwishmylcdworked090)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:10pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/10 "2022-09-07T13:10:33Z")
So every single one of those breaks needs a jumper across? ---
**Author:** ![TomGeorge](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/tomgeorge/32/215261_2.png) [@TomGeorge](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/TomGeorge)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:12pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/11 "2022-09-07T13:12:10Z")
Yes if you are using them. Not difficult to do. Tom... 😃 👍 ☕ 🇦🇺 ---
**Author:** ![iwishmylcdworked090](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@iwishmylcdworked090](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/iwishmylcdworked090)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:13pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/12 "2022-09-07T13:13:34Z")
![WIN_20220907_08_11_33_Pro](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/e/b/1/eb11919aa9172ba6084b823258d32265b515dc38.jpeg) (added green and brown jumpers ---
**Author:** ![beau28713](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/beau28713/32/688744_2.png) [@beau28713](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/beau28713)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:21pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/13 "2022-09-07T13:21:27Z")
IN the center of your breadboard there is a small gap that runs the length of the breadboard and that seperates one side from another. Is your LCD screen pins on one side of this gap and your jumper wires for your pins 1-16 of your lcd on the other side of this gap? ---
**Author:** ![iwishmylcdworked090](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@iwishmylcdworked090](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/iwishmylcdworked090)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:21pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/14 "2022-09-07T13:21:47Z")
I do not have a dvm. Would the analog pins on the Arduino work? ---
**Author:** ![sergetechone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/97f17d/32.png) [@sergetechone](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/sergetechone)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:24pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/15 "2022-09-07T13:24:43Z")
Well in that case, just turn the pot to check if any dots show up. If yes, than the LCD is working. ---
**Author:** ![hallowed31](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/hallowed31/32/1093680_2.png) [@hallowed31](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/hallowed31)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:25pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/16 "2022-09-07T13:25:10Z")
Have you tried what @sergetechone said about the contrast pot on the back? ---
**Author:** ![iwishmylcdworked090](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@iwishmylcdworked090](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/iwishmylcdworked090)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:25pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/17 "2022-09-07T13:25:19Z")
![WIN_20220907_08_23_07_Pro](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/e/4/6/e46f45afdcd4af59e37274f6fbf63e322858931f.jpeg) No (sorry for the terrible photos guys, I'm using my laptop camera...) ---
**Author:** ![iwishmylcdworked090](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@iwishmylcdworked090](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/iwishmylcdworked090)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:26pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/18 "2022-09-07T13:26:21Z")
yes I have been twisting that thing every time I try something new ---
**Author:** ![beau28713](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/beau28713/32/688744_2.png) [@beau28713](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/beau28713)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:27pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/19 "2022-09-07T13:27:42Z")
Just going to ask, but i dont see a power source in the pcicture. You are powering the circuit correct? ---
**Author:** ![iwishmylcdworked090](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/c0e974/32.png) [@iwishmylcdworked090](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/iwishmylcdworked090)\ **Post date:** [September 7, 2022, 1:28pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378/20 "2022-09-07T13:28:47Z")
Yes, with a USB micro power cord from my laptop. the blue light under the Arduino turns on [Next page](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/arduino-with-lcd-issues/1029378.md?page=2)