"Board at null is not available", PLEASE HELP!

Projects General Guidance
1

Hi there,

I'm brand new to this, still unfamiliar with pretty much everything. I'm following the tutorial and I'm on the Arduino Serial Monitor "Make a Connection" point. I've clicked the Serial Monitor Icon and it's the following has come up:

Arduino: 1.8.9 (Windows 10), Board: "Arduino/Genuino Uno"

Board at null is not available

This report would have more information with
"Show verbose output during compilation"
option enabled in File -> Preferences.

I'm really keen to proceed, what have I overlooked?

Many thanks!

2

You have not selected a serial port for your board.

3

Go to Tools->Ports-> "select your board"

Your device can checked from the list

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1 Like
4

Hi,
Welcome to the forum.

Pic Posted;

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Tom... :slight_smile:

5

Hi I am very new to this forum and I had a similar problem, I am running Windows 10 and connected my USB and the power light came on as expected and the port was active in Device manager, however after a couple of seconds the light went out and the port went dead,
When i tried the serial monitor i got the "Board at null is not available" and the port option was greyed out.

I connected an external power supply to my board and the power light came on, the port became active again.

I was then able to use both the serial monitor and the 'Port' option became available.

I was then able to download the sketch to my board as expected

Hope this helps

6

Hi,
Welcome to the forum.

Thanks for sharing your solution, it sounds like your PC cannot supply the current needed to power the Arduino.

What model Arduino is it?

Do you have a DMM to measure the 5V on the controller when you have it plugged into the PC alone before the supply drops out?

Tom... :slight_smile:

7

neil_tomlinson:
however after a couple of seconds the light went out and the port went dead,

You mean the power light?

This is not related to the USB connection, only the power from the USB port. If it goes out, it means the port has actually been overloaded (short circuited) and shut itself down for protection.