@ptillisch I am having a similar issue with newly installed IDE sitting at the pulsing Icon stage.
I am on a Windows 10 Enterprise Version 21H2 system. The system is isolated from the internet (corporate policy). I downloaded the installer on my internet connected system and copied it over. The installer ran with no complaints, launched the IDE, and as noted, stuck at the pulsing icon.
I have done the suggested run method. The error I note is that the system is complaining about not finding the package_index.json file. The directory they are seaching in "C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Arduino15" exists but not the file. Looking further, it appears that is trying to download a file library_index.tar.bz2, and since the development machine is not internet connected, failing.
What should be the next step to fix this ?
Thanks, Dale Pennington
P.S. I am working on getting the full text so I can paste if needed.
Hi @dalepenn. Nice work on investigating the cause of the hang on startup!
On the first run after a fresh installation, Arduino IDE downloads some additional essential components from the Internet and installs them. If it can't install those components then the startup fails. So the computer must have access to the Internet on the first startup.
If it is not already, please connect your computer to the Internet, close the Arduino IDE window, then start Arduino IDE again. This time it should start up successfully.
After that first run, an Internet connection is not required. However, there are some supplemental features such as "Library Manager" that have an inherent dependency on the Internet. Those features will not be usable while your computer is offline. But the essential functionality of editing, compiling, and uploading sketches will be available even without an Internet connection.
@ptillisch I literally cannot connect the computer to the internet (very strictly not allowed). Is there an alternate means of getting the items needed ?
Both computers must have the same operating system because the folder contains tool binaries built for the specific host architecture. But yes if they are both Linux machines then that will work fine. The folder is here on Linux:
Here is my cure for the pulsing icon problem. For days and days, I read the posts from people with the same problem.
Initially I installed 2.2.1 on ThinkPad Intel v7 laptop running Windows 11. Pulsing forever. Yesterday, I installed 2.2.1 on older desktop running Windows 10 Intel v5. Pulsed a few times, but then went right on to open the IDE. Very strange. Tried it this morning, no problem. My brain is recovering. 2.2.1 needs work from the IDE masters.
Don
I had the same problem when I first tried to install IDE 2.2.1. I eventually realized it was wanting an Internet connection and let it have it for the first run.
Subsequently, when I start the IDE without an Internet connection, it will start, but there's always a little "nag" in the lower right corner about the lack of an Internet access.
Obviously when updating the libraries or the board manager, or accessing the reference, a connection is needed, but when just doing routine programming a connection is not required.
I've never been a fan of software that is so tied to the Internet that it won't run at all without access to the Internet, or will nag you to connect, however gentle that nag might be.
I am no longer getting error message during install but IDE still won't open (just pulsing logo). I have tried multiple downloads (after uninstalling) and have tried not opening on install and restarting and failed opening and restart and failed opening....
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) 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".
In the folder listing of the Arduino IDE installation folder, hold the Shift key while clicking the right hand button on the mouse.
From the context menu, click "Open PowerShell window here".
Windows PowerShell will now open with the current directory set to the Arduino IDE installation folder.
Type the following command:
& ".\Arduino IDE"
Press the Enter key.
Debug output should now be printed to the PowerShell window as Arduino IDE starts.
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).
Switch back to the PowerShell window if the Arduino IDE window took the focus.
Press Ctrl+Shift+A.
This will select all the text in the PowerShell window.
Press Ctrl+C.
This will copy the contents of the PowerShell window to the clipboard.
Open a forum reply here by clicking the "Reply" button.
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.
Press Ctrl+V.
This will paste the output into the code block.
Move the cursor outside of the code block markup before you add any additional text to your reply.
Click the "Reply" button to post the output.
Please let me know if you have any questions or problems while following those instructions.
If looking for it with your file manager or command line, note that the 