LCD display keeps giving black boxes

So basically Im starting off with Arduino. I followed each of the steps to using the included LCD, installing and programming (literally copy and pasted, shouldn't be a problem..) Only now it just won't display the text... help :confused:

That's a nice clear photo of the back of the LCD module. It looks quite normal. Now let's see an equally clear photo of it connected to your Arduino.

We also need to know what you are using for a program and specifically what values you have used in the constructor:

LiquidCrystal lcd( . . . ); .

Don

.. and, what LCD library you are using.

I don't see much reason to suspect he is using anything other than the one included with the IDE.

Don

I have a similar problem here. The funny thing is that:

  1. I had a 16x2 shield that worked fine on 2 MEGAs and 1 UNO.
    Suddenly it showed one row of black boxes and one row clear. I tested it on all my arduinos --> same problem.

  2. I thought it was damaged and desoldered the lcd off the shield and soldered a 16x4 to it.
    This one now as one row black boxes, one row clear, one row black boxes, one row clear.

  3. I though the shield board must have been damaged and bought a new shield.
    I tested the new shield on my three arduinos... same problem.

  4. So, i thought it could be a problem in the IDE or the library. I justed installed the newest version on OSX. So i went back to 1.5 - no solution.

I have read a lot about the "liquid-crystal-boxes-problem" but not much about solutions. Some of the problems were wrong connections but i have two shields so no wrong connections can be the cause.
Maybe there is some error somewhere else...

Your problem is that your LCD controller is not being initiated properly. This can be either a wiring problem or a software problem (or both).

Without seeing pictures of your actual wiring and copies of your actual code we can't help you very much. Note that this is essentially the same answer that I gave to the OP in reply #1.

Don