Thank you guys, I changed the RS connection to pin 9 and the E (Enable) to pin 8 and updated the code line to suit:
const int rs = 9, en = 8, d4 = 5, d5 = 4, d6 = 3, d7 = 2;
Uploaded it and still the same (just random characters on the screen), so I changed the text I had it display and uploaded again and it worked ![]()
Very random but it works Thank you ![]()
Edit: or at least it did lol. I guess I also have a loose connection somewhere, but at least I've seen it working ![]()
Edit edit: I think I've tracked the issue down to a loose connection on the D4 connector.