Issue with Arduino UNO Programming: Programmer Not Responding Error

md13 · November 25, 2023, 12:32pm

Hello,

I am writing to seek assistance regarding an issue I am facing with my Arduino UNO.

Upon attempting to program the UNO, I encountered the following error message:

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xa1
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xa1
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xa1
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xa1
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xa1
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xa1
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xa1
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xa1
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xa1
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xa1
Failed uploading: uploading error: exit status 1

I have attempted several troubleshooting steps, such as checking the connections, restarting the Arduino IDE, and ensuring the correct port and board are selected. However, the issue persists.

ptillisch · November 25, 2023, 2:17pm

Hi @md13. Please try this experiment and then report back with the results:

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

Connect the Arduino board to your computer with a USB cable.
Press and release the button on the Arduino board that is marked "RESET".

Now please reply here on the forum thread with the answer to the following question:

Did you see the "L" LED blink multiple times quickly immediately after you released the "RESET" button?

md13 · November 27, 2023, 4:17am

Hi ptillisch,

I appreciate your prompt response. I conducted the experiment as instructed, but unfortunately, the "L" LED did not blink after I released the "RESET" button. Regrettably, the issue persists.

If there are additional steps or troubleshooting measures you'd like me to take, please provide guidance. I'm eager to assist in resolving this matter.

ptillisch · November 27, 2023, 4:55am

This result tells us that one of the following two things is happening:

The microcontroller on the board is not running.
The bootloader (a program stored in a special area of memory in the microcontroller that handles sketch uploads) was somehow erased or corrupted.

It is possible for a short or external circuitry connected to the Arduino board to prevent the primary microcontroller from running.

Make sure the board is not sitting on anything conductive that could short the contacts on the bottom of the board. Make sure there isn't any conductive debris (e.g., strands of wire or component leads) on the board or on the surface the board is sitting on.

If you have a shield or any external circuitry or components connected to your Arduino board, try this experiment:

Disconnect the USB cable of the Arduino board from your computer.
Disconnect any shields, modules, external circuitry, etc. from your board.
Connect the Arduino board to your computer with a USB cable.

Now try uploading a sketch to the board again. Does the upload succeed?

This experiment will determine whether the upload error was caused by a problem in the external circuitry. If so, you can then focus your attention on identifying the specific problem with the circuit and resolving it.

md13 · November 27, 2023, 5:13am

Hi,

Thank you for your detailed explanation and guidance. I appreciate your assistance in troubleshooting this issue. I've followed the steps you provided, and here are the results:

I disconnected the USB cable from the Arduino board.
I removed all shields, modules, and external circuitry from the board.
I then reconnected the Arduino board to my computer using the USB cable.

Upon attempting to upload a sketch, I encountered the same issue – the upload did not succeed.

It seems that the problem persists even after eliminating external factors. If there are any additional steps or tests you'd like me to perform, please let me know. I'm eager to resolve this issue and appreciate your continued support.

sterretje · November 27, 2023, 5:52am

Did upload succeed in the past? What was the project that you were working on when it started to fail?

I know that you don't want to hear this but you need to keep in mind that electronics is not very forgiving for mistakes that you make.

If you have a multimeter, I suggest that you check the 5V and 3.3V outputs. Do this with only the board connected to the PC. After that you can do the same with only an external power supply (if you have one).

Note that there might be more damage to your board than just the 328P.

How is your Uno identified by the operating system? As an Arduino Uno or as something else? If it is identified as an Arduino Uno or some FTDI, you can run the loopback test. If that test fails you know that there is more damage than just the 328P. The loopback test is not conclusive if your board uses the CH340 serial-to-usb converter !!

If the loopback test succeeds and your Uno has the DIP 328P, you can buy a replacement 328P and try that; make sure that you buy one that comes with the bootloader (optiboot) preloaded so you don't have to do that yourself.

md13 · November 28, 2023, 6:23am

Hi,

I wanted to update you on the Arduino UNO programming issue I mentioned earlier. I'm pleased to report that I have successfully resolved the problem by burning the bootloader using another Arduino.

Reference video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgGuEpWuthg

Thank you for your attention.

ptillisch · November 28, 2023, 7:29am

You are welcome. Great job on getting it working! Thanks for taking the time to post an update with your solution.

Regards,
Per

mzeidan28 · February 25, 2024, 10:39pm

hello md13,
thank you for your solution and the video, but sadly, it did not work for me
thank you.

ptillisch · February 26, 2024, 6:52am

Hi @mzeidan28. I'm going to ask you to post the full verbose output from an upload attempt.

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

Please do this:

Select File > Preferences... (or Arduino IDE > Settings... for macOS users) from the Arduino IDE menus.
The "Preferences" dialog will open.
Uncheck the box next to Show verbose output during: ☑ compilation in the "Preferences" dialog.
Check the box next to Show verbose output during: ☐ upload.
Click the "OK" button.
Attempt an upload, as you did before.
Wait for the upload to fail.
You will see a "Upload error: ..." notification at the bottom right corner of the Arduino IDE window. Click the "COPY ERROR MESSAGES" button on that notification.
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 the Ctrl+V keyboard shortcut (Command+V for macOS users).
This will paste the error output from the upload 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.

krustykrabbs · September 10, 2024, 10:18am

Hi, I have the same issue with being unable to upload my code as the system always shows an upload error, and this is the upload error message it shows after checking the upload button in the "show verbose output during" at preferences in the file. How should I solve this issue?

Sketch uses 1538 bytes (4%) of program storage space. Maximum is 32256 bytes.
Global variables use 17 bytes (0%) of dynamic memory, leaving 2031 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 2048 bytes.
"C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\arduino\tools\avrdude\6.3.0-arduino17/bin/avrdude" "-CC:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\arduino\tools\avrdude\6.3.0-arduino17/etc/avrdude.conf" -v -V -patmega328p -carduino "-PCOM3" -b115200 -D "-Uflash:w:C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino\sketches\07D3C2F0DDD55B1D651904210ABED031/Project_code_1.ino.hex:i"

avrdude: Version 6.3-20190619
         Copyright (c) 2000-2005 Brian Dean, http://www.bdmicro.com/
         Copyright (c) 2007-2014 Joerg Wunsch

         System wide configuration file is "C:\Users\user\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\arduino\tools\avrdude\6.3.0-arduino17/etc/avrdude.conf"

         Using Port                    : COM3
         Using Programmer              : arduino
         Overriding Baud Rate          : 115200
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8f
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8f
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8f
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8f
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8f
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8f
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8f
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8f
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8f
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0x8f

avrdude done.  Thank you.

Failed uploading: uploading error: exit status 1

sterretje · September 10, 2024, 10:47am

This topic is about upload problems with an Uno; are you indeed using an Uno (based on the output that you provided it can be)?

Anything connected to pins 0 and 1? Disconnect it and retry.
If (1) did not solve it or is not applicable, disconnect other things that are connected.
If your board is an original Arduino Uno/Nano (and not a clone with CH340), did you try the Loop-Back Test Instructions? What was the result?
What is the history of the board?
- Did it ever work?
- If yes, what are the previous project and current project that you were / are working before it started failing?
What happens when you press and release the reset button? Does the L-LED give a couple of quick flashes after releasing (see post #2)?

system · March 9, 2025, 10:48am

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

Topic		Replies	Views
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding Programming	2	643	May 5, 2021
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding / not in sync Uploading	9	3517	May 6, 2021
Arduino UNO Programmer not responding Uploading	12	1212	November 7, 2024
Stk500 not responding and getsync attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xb9 Uploading	4	1383	May 6, 2021
Avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding ....,, Uploading	10	5106	November 5, 2021

Issue with Arduino UNO Programming: Programmer Not Responding Error

Related topics