CH340: The drive is successfully pre-installed in advance

So I'm about to run my code in my arduino project but then suddenly an error pops up it says "Failed uploading: no upload port provided". So i went to the port menu to COM3 port, but the port option is inaccessible (it can't be clicked)
image

So I watch some youtube videos, and they say i must download the ch340 driver. But when i finished downloading it and about to install the driver, the message prompt says "The drive is successfully pre-installed in advance"

how to fix this?

1 Like

Does the PC recognise the Arduino when it is plugged in and create a COM port ?

I think so, because there is a light when i plugged arduino on my laptop.
P.S. I'm new to this

No it doesn't, I can't even click the port option

The light on the Arduino indicates that it is getting power. That has nothing to do with whether communication has been established

Unless/until a COM port is created when you plug in the Arduino you will not be able to upload code

Are you sure that the USB lead that you are using is a data cable and not just a charging cable ?

What exactly happens in Device Manager on the PC when you plug in the USB cable to the Arduino ?

That is the message of a successful install if a board with CH340 is not detected.

Does you board have the CH340 serial-to-usb converter or does it have another one (16U2/FTDI/CP21xx)? It's the chip closest to the USB connector.

Which light? The power light should always come on when you connect but that does not mean that the board is recognised; check what Windows device manager thinks of your board. If Windows has problems detecting the board you will never see it in the IDE.

I might have missed it but which board are you using?

Yes, it is an USB cable included in the arduino kit

What do you mean by that? u mean the port tool and serial cable thing, there is no such that even when i plugged in the cable

Hmmm... I don't even know how to check that thing.. Sorry

There is no Port tool available in my device manager. Does that mean it can't detect the ch340?

I'm using Arduino Uno btw

If you have Device Manager open when you connect the Arduino to the PC using the USB lead does the Device Manager display change in any way ?

For instance, even if a new COM port does not appear, is the display refreshed ?

Is this the first time that you try to upload? Or did it work in the past?

Read the print on it :wink: It's the chip in the right bottom of below crops
Official Uno (16U2)
screenshot

Clone Uno (probably CH340
screenshot

It's not always easy to read. You might have to tilt it a bit for proper light and / or take a photo with your phone and enlarge it.

Alternatively, if you bought your kit online, the website might tell you which chip it is.

It doesn't. There's no changes in the device manager, still the same even if i plugged it in

Yes it is the first time

Screenshot 2024-05-11 132240
In this one? If in this one, this chip. There something written on top of it, it says ATMEL MEGA16U2 1430

Screenshot 2024-05-11 132740
If on this one. There something written on top of it too, it says ATMEL 35473D ATMEGA328P U 2325E5H

Then the PC is not recognising the board even as an unknown device

Which one do you have on your board? Square (first image) or rectangular (second image).

The blue circled one is never an Atmel 328P; not enough legs (pins).

Please provide a link of the kit that you bought or a clear photo of your board.

Because Windows does not recognise your (never used before) board at all, your problem is either in Windows, the cable or the indicated chip in the images. I would start with the cable (it might be faulty or charge-only) and buy a new one in a computer shop.

If my device can't recognize my arduino board, then the fault now is either the cable or the board itself?

I have both

So meaning I got scammed or something?

The thing is I didn't bought it online, I bought personally on electronics/circuit store

No. The big chip (left top) is the 328P (as it should be) and it differs in dimensions and pins from the small chip that I showed. The small chip (right bottom) is the 16U2 (as you identified it).

So from that perspective it is an Uno.

Seeing that you have all kind of wires connected, start by removing all of them and see if Windows does recognise the board. What did you all connect?

That is great; you can take the board and cable back and ask them to demonstrate. If you have a laptop that you were testing with, take that as well so you can demonstrate your full setup.

This topic was automatically closed 180 days after the last reply. New replies are no longer allowed.