dot matrix MAX7219 doesn't respond

Hey,
I've bought a pre-soldered MAX7219 dot matrix display, but random leds keep being lit. I've used several basic codes and all of them have no effect on the display, the same leds keep being lit. Is it a hardware problem? is there maybe a way to reset the entire dot matrix or MAX chip?
I've included the basic code i'm running now, and still the display doesn't blank out.

#include <LedControl.h>

/* 
 * Now we create a new LedControl. 
 * We use pins 12,11 and 10 on the Arduino for the SPI interface
 * Pin 12 is connected to the DATA IN-pin of the first MAX7221
 * Pin 11 is connected to the CLK-pin of the first MAX7221
 * Pin 10 is connected to the LOAD(/CS)-pin of the first MAX7221 	
 * There will only be a single MAX7221 attached to the arduino 
 */
LedControl lc1=LedControl(12,11,10,1); //pin 12 11 10 1device

void setup() {
  void clearDisplay(int addr);

}
  

void loop() {
  // put your main code here, to run repeatedly: 
  
}

Thanks for any help

Mmmm, care to try my basic "matrixtest" sketch?

Just match the pin numbers to the functions.

/* Loop scanner demonstration
Code for max 7219 from maxim, reduced & optimised for using multiple 7219 cascaded.
______________________________________

General notes: 

- if using only one max7219, then use maxSingle function to control
the module --- maxSingle(register (1-8), column (0-255))

- if using more then one max7219, and all should work the same, use maxAll
function --- maxAll(register (1-8), collum (0-255))

- if using more than one max7219 and want to change something on one module only,
then use maxOne function 
--- maxOne(module you want to control [1=first], register [1-8], column [0-255])

 During initiation, be sure to send every part to every max7219 and then upload it.
For example, if you have five max7219's, you have to send the scanLimit 5 times
before you load it, otherwise not every max7219 will get the data. the (fixed)
variable maxInUse keeps track of this, just tell it how many max7219 you are using.
*/

#include <Wire.h> 

int dataIn = 2;            // "DIN" on module
int load = 3;              // "CS" on module
int clock = 4;             // "CLK" on module
const int ledPin =  13;    // LED pin number

int maxInUse = 1;          // set how many MAX7219's used
int ledState = LOW;        // initialise the LED

int e = 0;                 // just a varialble

// define max7219 registers
byte max7219_reg_noop        = 0x00;
byte max7219_reg_digit0      = 0x01;
byte max7219_reg_digit1      = 0x02;
byte max7219_reg_digit2      = 0x03;
byte max7219_reg_digit3      = 0x04;
byte max7219_reg_digit4      = 0x05;
byte max7219_reg_digit5      = 0x06;
byte max7219_reg_digit6      = 0x07;
byte max7219_reg_digit7      = 0x08;
byte max7219_reg_decodeMode  = 0x09;
byte max7219_reg_intensity   = 0x0a;
byte max7219_reg_scanLimit   = 0x0b;
byte max7219_reg_shutdown    = 0x0c;
byte max7219_reg_displayTest = 0x0f;


void putByte(byte data) {
  byte i = 8;
  byte mask;
  while(i > 0) {
    mask = 0x01 << (i - 1);      // get bitmask
    digitalWrite( clock, LOW);   // tick
    if (data & mask) {           // choose bit
      digitalWrite(dataIn, HIGH);// send 1
    } else {
      digitalWrite(dataIn, LOW); // send 0
    }
    digitalWrite(clock, HIGH);   // tock
    --i;                         // move to lesser bit
  }
}

// maxSingle is the "easy" function to use for a single max7219
void maxSingle( byte reg, byte col) {    
  digitalWrite(load, LOW);  // begin     
  putByte(reg);             // specify register
  putByte(col);             //((data & 0x01) * 256) + data >> 1); // put data   
  digitalWrite(load,HIGH); 
}

// initialize all MAX7219's
void maxAll( byte reg, byte col) {
  int c = 0;
  digitalWrite(load, LOW);
  for ( c =1; c<= maxInUse; c++) {
  putByte(reg);             // specify register
  putByte(col);             //((data & 0x01) * 256) + data >> 1); // put data
    }
  digitalWrite(load,HIGH);
}

// for adressing different MAX7219's while cascaded
void maxOne(byte maxNr, byte reg, byte col) {    
  int c = 0;
  digitalWrite(load, LOW);  // begin     
  for ( c = maxInUse; c > maxNr; c--) {
    putByte(0);             // no operation
    putByte(0);             // no operation
  }

  putByte(reg);             // specify register
  putByte(col);             //((data & 0x01) * 256) + data >> 1); // put data 

  for ( c = maxNr-1; c >= 1; c--) {
    putByte(0);             // no operation
    putByte(0);             // no operation
  }
  digitalWrite(load,HIGH); 
}

void putCol( byte colno, byte coldat) {
// Interprets colno as (zero ref) index in combined array
    byte t;
    t = colno >> 3;
    byte u;
    u = colno & 0x07;
    maxOne(t+1, u+1, coldat);
}


void dispon() {
 maxAll(max7219_reg_shutdown, 0x01);               // Display on
}  

void dispoff() {
 maxAll(max7219_reg_shutdown, 0x00);              // Display off
}  

byte irow = 0;          // Row index
byte icol = 0;          // Column index
byte pattern;           // bit mask
byte lcol;              // left border
byte rcol;              // right border
byte trow;              // top row marker
byte brow;              // bottom row marker

int s_vert;             // Vertical switch
int s_horz;             // Horizontal switch

void worker () {

  if (pattern == 0) pattern = trow;            // pattern must be set
  if (s_vert != 0) {
    if (s_vert == -1) {                     // moving upward
      pattern = pattern >> 1;
      if (pattern == trow) {                   // hit the top
        s_vert = 0; s_horz = 1;
      }
    } else {
      pattern = pattern << 1;               // moving downward
      if (pattern == brow) {                // hit the bottom
        s_vert = 0; s_horz = -1;
      }
    }
    putCol(icol,pattern);              // Show the column.
    return;
  }

  if (s_horz != 0) {
    putCol(icol,0);                    // blank previous column.
    if (s_horz == -1) {                     // moving left
      icol--;
      if (icol == lcol) {                      // hit the side
        s_horz = 0; s_vert = -1;
      }
    } else {
      icol++;                               // moving right
      if (icol == rcol) {                      // hit the side
        s_horz = 0; s_vert = 1;
      }
    }
    putCol(icol,pattern);              // Show the column.
  }
 }
  
// the follow variable is a long because the time, measured in miliseconds,
// will quickly become a bigger number than can be stored in an int.
long interval = 60;           // interval at which to step (milliseconds)
long previousMillis = 0;      // will store last time LED was updated


void setup () {

  pinMode(dataIn, OUTPUT);
  pinMode(clock,  OUTPUT);
  pinMode(load,   OUTPUT);
  pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT);      

  //Serial begin(9600);
  digitalWrite(13, HIGH);  

//initiation of the max 7219
  maxAll(max7219_reg_displayTest, 0x00); // no display test
  maxAll(max7219_reg_scanLimit, 0x07);   // all columns in use   
  maxAll(max7219_reg_decodeMode, 0x00);  // using a LED matrix (not digits)
  maxAll(max7219_reg_shutdown, 0x01);    // not in shutdown mode
  for (e=1; e<=8; e++) {                 // empty registers, turn all LEDs off 
    maxAll(e,0);
  }
  maxAll(max7219_reg_intensity, 0x08 & 0x0f);  // middle argument is intensity value
                                               // range: 0x00 to 0x0f
                                                 
  pattern = 0;
  s_vert = 0;
  s_horz = 1;

// define edges of loop
  lcol = 1;              // left border
  rcol = 6;              // right border
  trow = 0x02;           // top row marker
  brow = 0x40;           // bottom row marker      
      
}  

void loop () {

  unsigned long currentMillis = millis();
 
// Active waiting for next event
  if(currentMillis - previousMillis > interval) {
    // save the last time you blinked the LED 
    previousMillis = currentMillis;   

    // if the LED is off turn it on and vice-versa:
    if (ledState == LOW) { ledState = HIGH;  } else { ledState = LOW; }
    // Timed process:
    
    worker();

    // set the LED according to ledState:
    digitalWrite(ledPin, ledState);
    }

}

Hey thanks, There are some leds flashing, but the same pattern stays lit as well and brighter then the flickering
leds. I guess the problem lays within the dot matrix right?

That sketch generates a single LED chasing a path around a 6 by 6 square one LED in from the outside of the matrix.

It certainly does so here without problems; if you are having other results, which now include a regular animation, then the circuit is indeed suspect.

It sounds as if you need to acquire another (couple of) display(s) to get it going and you can then get some idea of what the problem is with the current one.

Do however, check the soldering on it carefully first - particularly for solder bridges.

Turns out the dot matrix wasn't attached the right way, I had to take it of and put it back again, now it's working like a charm.
Thanks for the help

WWouter:
Turns out the dot matrix wasn't attached the right way, I had to take it off and put it back again, now it's working like a charm.

That figures. A good proportion, if not most of the problems here, are due to faulty connections, and that is your situation.

Do you mean the matrix module was inserted upside down? Who inserted it in the first place anyway?

the dot matrix unit was in fact inserted upside down. that's how i got it from the webshop!

Such things happen ... :smiley: