COM Port won't "release" after the ARDUINO is power is cycled off/on.?

Projects Programming
1

Want to create a sketch that will use the COM port to communicate to a serial device. Using the IDE to create the sketch. When I open the IDE, the COM port is "grayed out" so I can't connect anything to the COM port. Why is the COM port grayed out??

2

what com port are you trying to use?
an arduino will always use the exact same com port on the same computer. if you change of computer another port will be used by the same arduino.

3

I open a COM port by selecting "TOOLS > Port", but "PORT" is grayed out so
I can't select ANY COM port??

4

Do you have a board plugged in?

5

Hmm, the fact that PORT is greyed out would tend to suggest that there are no serial ports to enumerate. If you right-click Computer, select Manage and then open the Device Manager branch, are there any COM ports listed?

6

Thanks for responding. Assume you are refering to an Arduino bd... my board is an Arduino R3.
Right clicking the board gives me a 'Managing Libraries" option. Searching this option does not produce
a Dvice Manager option??

7

Since you are talking about COM ports, I am assuming that you are working on Windows? Is that a correct assumption? I was trying to ascertain whether the board has been detected by Windows and is showing up as a COM port. This can be done by having a look at the the Device Manager in Windows (not the IDE). The quickest route is to right click the Computer icon on the desktop and then select Manage. Otherwise type Device Manager in the Windows search box.

8

Sorry, got side tracked....the Windows (11) Device Manager doesn't report ANY COM ports. I need to do some more research. I don't believe there aren't any com ports!! Appreciate you willingness to help!

9

You don't mention which Arduino board you are using, but you may need to install a driver for it.

10

Watch the Device Manager window as you plug the board into one of the computer's USB ports. Is there any activity in the window? Does an "unknown" USB device show up? Do you hear the USB "Bong" sound?

11

Arduino R3. Also have a Leonardo and it uploads as well. The issue, I believe, is the
IDE looks for an ATmega16U2 USB chip and fails if not detected.

12

I learned the hard way that when a device is connected to the PC USB port and it is recognized
by the PC, it does sound the "BONG". I don't recall if it "bonged"... will have to try later.