Cloud IDE Chromebook Serial Monitor only works about 1 out of every 10 attempts

Development Tools Cloud Editor
1

Hello, I am using a school chromebook with an Elegoo Uno R3. The R3 connects to the chromebook and I can upload and run sketches. However, the Serial Monitor only works about 1 out of every 10 attempts. Can you please help?

Mega 2560 and Cloud Update
2

Hi @mrwarner. Did anything change between the successful and unsuccessful attempts, or are you just opening and closing Serial Monitor without making any other changes between each cycle?

3

No changes between attempts, just unplugging arduino and replugging back in.

4

I have seen several other reports of problems with the Cloud Editor's Serial Monitor on ChromeOS machines:

However, I have not experienced any problems using it on my own ChromeOS machine.

Please tell us which USB to serial bridge chip your "Elegoo Uno R3" board has. This is a black chip near the USB socket.

The chip will usually be identified by writing on the top. This might say something like "Atmel MEGA16U2" or "WCH CH340G" or "SILABS CP2102".

Examples:

Microchip ATmega16U2

ATmega16U2
ATmega16U2325×324 141 KB

📷

MakeMagazinDE - CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

WCH CH340

CH340
CH340223×151 63 KB

📷

SparkFun - CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped)

If it isn't clear, alternatively you can provide the link to where you bought the board from and we'll see if we can determine the chip from the product listing.

5

I have been using three boards and all have the same issue.

The first is the Elegoo Uno R3 it's chip is an Atmel Mega16U2 1728 PH A972KA
The second is Arduino UNO it's chip is Atmel Mega16U2 1352 PK (can't read the last line)
The third is Arduino Uno it's chip is unreadable but appears to be the same type as the others.

6

Does the issue occur if you upload this simple test sketch to the board?:

void setup() {
  Serial.begin(9600);
}

void loop() {
  Serial.println("hello");
  delay(1000);
}
8

I am having the same kind of problem and I so far don't see a pattern to it.

We use SparkFun RedBoards with FTDI 1325-c chips. They are a few years old.

One thing I have noticed is when I upload the sketch, if the RX light is not blinking I can unplug the usb connector on the board and plug it back in. If the RX light starts flashing, then the serial monitor is displaying information. I just figured this out after school so I have not had students try it yet.
It does the same thing with the simple test sketch you posted too.

1 Like
9

After working with my schools IT department, they had us switch out all the students Chromebooks for new Chromebooks, that seems to have worked...

1 Like
10

That's interesting. I assumed the problem is with the older boards we are using. I'll see if I can get my hands on one of the newer Chromebooks and test it.

12

I am a teacher and I still have the same problem in my class.

I have "solved" the problem by using a website called duino.app instead of the official arduino cloud editor. It has worked well for me so far with all arduinos and all chromebooks in my classroom.

1 Like
13

Oh man, this is huge! Thank you for posting!

1 Like
14

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