IDE 2.x stuck loading

Development Tools IDE 2.x
1

I’ve searched the forum and found similar issues, but they mostly relate to Mac OS. I’m experiencing this problem on Windows 11 and could use some help.

Issue: After installing the latest Arduino IDE, it fails to launch. The logo blinks indefinitely, and the IDE freezes my laptop, eventually causing it to crash. Using Task Manager, I noticed multiple instances of arduino-cli.exe spawning, with memory usage increasing rapidly.

Details:

OS: Windows 11 (fully updated)
IDE Version: Arduino IDE 2.3.2
*System Specs: 8GB RAM, Intel i5
*Observations: No error messages appear, but the IDE becomes unresponsive.

Steps Tried:

  • Reinstalled the IDE.
  • Ran as administrator.
  • Disabled antivirus temporarily.

Thanks in advance for any help!

2

Hi @rdutra. I'm going to ask you to provide some additional information that might help us to identify the problem.

:red_exclamation_mark: This procedure is not intended to solve the problem. The purpose is to gather more information.

Please do this:

  1. Close all Arduino IDE windows if the IDE is already running.
  2. Start Windows "File Explorer".
  3. Open the Arduino IDE installation folder.
    ⓘ The default installation location is at one of the following paths: 
    • C:\Program Files\Arduino IDE

    • C:\Users\<username>\AppData\Local\Programs\Arduino IDE
      (where <username> is your Windows username)
      :red_exclamation_mark: If looking for it with your file manager or command line, note that the AppData folder is hidden by default. On Windows "File Explorer", you can make it visible by opening the "View" menu, then checking the box next to "☐ Hidden items".
  4. In the folder listing of the Arduino IDE installation folder, hold the Shift key while clicking the right hand button on the mouse.
    A context menu will open
  5. Select "Open PowerShell window here" from the menu.
    Windows PowerShell will now open with the current directory set to the Arduino IDE installation folder.
  6. Type the following command in the PowerShell window:
    & ".\Arduino IDE"
  7. Press the Enter key.
    Debug output should now be printed to the PowerShell window as Arduino IDE starts.
  8. Wait until you are sure the IDE startup has gone into the hang state
    (as indicated by no additional output being printed to the terminal).
  9. Switch back to the PowerShell window if the Arduino IDE window took the focus.
  10. Press the Ctrl+Shift+A keyboard shortcut.
    This will select all the text in the PowerShell window.
  11. Press the Ctrl+C keyboard shortcut.
    This will copy the contents of the PowerShell window to the clipboard.
  12. Open a reply here on this forum topic by clicking the "Reply" button.
  13. Click the <CODE/> icon on the post composer toolbar.
    This will add the forum's code block markup (```) to your reply to make sure the error messages are correctly formatted.
    Code block icon on toolbar
    Code block icon on toolbar390×118 4.25 KB
  14. Press the Ctrl+V keyboard shortcut.
    This will paste the output into the code block.
  15. Move the cursor outside of the code block markup before you add any additional text to your reply.
  16. Click the "Reply" button to publish the post.

Please let us know if you have any questions or problems while following those instructions.

3

Hi @ptillisch!

Thanks for such a quick response!
I managed to fix the issue, but your asking for the logs drove me to the root cause.
I had done some HD cleanup and in that process, accidentally deleted the Windows Documents folder or remapped it to a non-existing folder.

When I was getting the PowerShell dump, I noticed the error of not being able to find the Documents folder and that clicked me on me. I fixed the Documents folder's mapping and the IDE launched normally.

Thank you so much!!!

4

Great news! I'm glad it is working now. Thanks for taking the time to post an update with your findings.

Regards, Per