Can't upload sketch to Arduino Nano 33 BLE

[plukacs21]

Hello, I am new to the forum and the Arduino Nano 33 BLE. I have installed Arduino IDE 1.8.15 on a Windows 10 laptop. The Nano 33 BLE and associated USB cable are both new.

Under Tools -> Board Manager, I have Arduino Mbed OS Nano Boards -> Arduino Nano 33 BLE installed

I tried testing with Blink (100ms HIGH, 3000ms LOW), however, after I compile and upload my sketch I get the following error ON EITHER COM Ports :
Arduino: 1.8.15 (Windows 10), Board: "Arduino Nano 33 BLE"

Sketch uses 83496 bytes (8%) of program storage space. Maximum is 983040 bytes.

Global variables use 43920 bytes (16%) of dynamic memory, leaving 218224 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 262144 bytes.

Forcing reset using 1200bps open/close on port COM3

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

Uploading using selected port: COM3

C:\Users\plukacs\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\arduino\tools\bossac\1.9.1-arduino2/bossac.exe -d --port=COM3 -U -i -e -w C:\Users\plukacs\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino_build_141129/Blink.ino.bin -R

Send auto-baud

No device found on COM3

An error occurred while uploading the sketch

Set binary mode

I have read multiple threads about drivers. Under Device manager -> Ports(COM & LPT) I have Intel(R) Active Management Technology - SOL COM3 and USB Serial Device COM4.

Can anyone point me to the proper driver, or assist with identifying the issue? I have reset the Nano 33 BLE using the double tap RESET method (bootloader), but still have NOT been successful uploading a sketch.

[in0]

Please try this:

1. Unplug your Arduino Nano 33 BLE from the computer.
2. Select Tools > Port from the Arduino IDE's menus.
3. Note the ports, if any, listed in the menu.
4. Close the Tools menu.
   The ports list is only updated when the Tools menu is re-opened, so this step is essential.
5. Plug your Arduino board into the computer.
6. Select Tools > Port from the Arduino IDE's menus. - The new port listed in the menu is the one for your Arduino board.

If a new port doesn't appear after plugging the board in, then you know that none of the ports on the menu is the port for your Nano 33 BLE. This information will tell us where we need to focus our attention for troubleshooting.

[plukacs21]

Per your instructions, when the Nano 33 BLE is NOT connected, ONLY COM3 appears in the list of available Serial Ports, and Port: is BLANK. After connecting the NANO 33 BLE to my laptop, BOTH COM3 and COM4 are listed, and Port:"COM4" is displayed.

In addition, I deleted the Arduino Program and under User ->Plukacs -> AppData, I deleted the Arduino 15 folder to verify a clean install. I launched the Blink sketch, changed both delays to 3000ms, compiled/uploaded. The following error was displayed:

Arduino: 1.8.16 (Windows 10), Board: "Arduino Nano 33 BLE"

Sketch uses 83496 bytes (8%) of program storage space. Maximum is 983040 bytes.

Global variables use 43920 bytes (16%) of dynamic memory, leaving 218224 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 262144 bytes.

Forcing reset using 1200bps open/close on port COM4

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

PORTS {COM3, COM4, } / {COM3, COM4, } => {}

Uploading using selected port: COM4

C:\Users\plukacs\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\arduino\tools\bossac\1.9.1-arduino2/bossac.exe -d --port=COM4 -U -i -e -w C:\Users\plukacs\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino_build_892364/Blink.ino.bin -R

Set binary mode

Send auto-baud

No device found on COM4

Set binary mode

An error occurred while uploading the sketch

[cattledog]

@plukacs21

Per your instructions, when the Nano 33 BLE is NOT connected, ONLY COM3 appears in the list of available Serial Ports, and Port: is BLANK. After connecting the NANO 33 BLE to my laptop, BOTH COM3 and COM4 are listed, and Port:"COM4" is displayed.

When you are in this state and double tap the reset button do you see a new port show up,(ofter closing and opening the tools window) and the orange L led pulsing to indicate bootloader mode?

[plukacs21]

cattledog, I pressed the RESET button but NO new COM port ever appeared. Looking at the Nano 33 BLE, with the micro-USB connector on the bottom: both main LED's are illuminated (solid orange); on the Left side, w/ smaller blinking Blue LED. On Right side, when I first POWER ON, the smaller LED is a solid GREEN for a few seconds, then turns OFF, flashes periodically.

When I press the RESET button, twice quickly,on the Left side, the smaller Blue LED flashes consistently. On the Right side smaller GREEN LED stays illuminated, periodically flashes quickly, remains solid.

Hoping these observations also help to diagnose the issue.

[cattledog]

Take a look at this image so that we are talking about the same thing,

Your led activity is unusual, but since all leds are under software control, it indicates the the unit is alive. If the RGB and power leds are blinking it is because they have been programmed to do so. The Orange program mode indicator led is actually the LED_BUILTIN.

Standard power on configuration should just be the green power led solidly on. Only one port should show on the tools menu "PORT: COMXX (Arduino Nano 33 BLE") and the arrow leads to another repeat of that.

When you double tap the reset button the device should go into programming mode. The Green led should be solid and the Orange led should be pulsating slowly to indicate program mode.

Under tools, the PORT is blank and the arrow leads to a different port number which is the program port. You need to select that with Tools, and then it should show up after PORT: just like before, but with a different number. Then you can download a program.

From you description of the leds and the lack of a second port showing up, I don't think you are going into program mode with the double tap of the reset button.

However, your description of the led colors as to what is on and how after the double tap is confusing to me as there should only be a green and orange led and nothing blue.

I do not know the solution, but perhaps @in0 will have some suggestions.

[plukacs21]

cattledog, your schematic doesn't match match my Nano 33 BLE. See attached .jpeg. Just above the upside-down NANO-BLE are the (4) LED's I am referring to. On the Left-side, there are two LED's: 1 solid orange, 1 blinking Blue. On the Right-side, there are two LED's: 1 solid orange, 1 that is solid GREEN, then flashes periodically.

However, I believe the fundamental issue is that I can't get my USB Port to show: "PORT: COMXX (Arduino Nano 33 BLE")

I played with this particular Nano 33 BLE months ago, and the blinking LED could be because I executed the Blink sketch in the past. I'm wondering since I can't communicate over the COM port, is the device still executing the Blink sketch. Today, I downloaded the CH340SR driver and installed it. No change. Should it be installed in a specific directory?

[cattledog]

@plukacs21

cattledog, your schematic doesn't match match my Nano 33 BLE

It appears that you have a Emakefun BLE Nano.

That is an entirely different device from the Nano33 BLE.

It has an At328 main processor and some subsidiary BLE chip.
Emakefun say

Please use Arduino IDE 1.8.6 or higher version. First, install the CC2540 driver,then follow this selection path in Arduino IDE：Tools - Board“Arduino Nano” Processor “ATmega328P",
otherwise you'll find that you can't burn any program. Please refer to our github link,it can help you to slolve any problem.

https://github.com/emakefun/emakefun-nano-plus

See this manual for much information
https://github.com/emakefun/emakefun-nano-plus/blob/master/BLE-Nano/Ble-Nano%20operation%20manual%20V.1.6.pdf

[plukacs21]

Thank you cattledog, these were given to me by a co-worker, and I read Nano BLE. Going through the docs, and hopefully can load the proper driver. Very grateful for your assistance.

[Dozie]

@plukacs21 Try the steps below

1. Double tap the reset button on your board quickly. You should now see the LED on the board pulsing (fade in and out slowly), which means the bootloader is running. The double press/tap makes the bootloader to run indefinitely (until the board is reset by taping again the rest button once, powered off, or an upload is done).
2. Select the COM port for the board from the Tools > Port menu. The port number is usually different when the bootloader is running.
3. Start compile and upload a Blink LED sketch from the Arduino IDE examples.

Once the upload finish successfully, you should now be able to program the board normally without the need to put the board in boatloader mode.

[in0]

The double reset technique is not applicable to this 3rd party ATmega328P-based board.

[cattledog]

@Dozie Arduino Tech Support Team

It is good to see Arduino employees trying to help on this board, but I am disappointed by the fact that you appear not to have read the thread and have given wrong advice.

As many of us who help on this board have found, the posted title of a thread does not represent the true issue.

[plukacs21]

@Dozie I am responsible for misleading the forum by labeling the board Nano 33 BLE. It was BLE Nano, a knock-off of the Arduino board. I appreciate cattledog recognizing the difference in the board layout. I apologize for NOT knowing the board. My apologies