Mega 2560 - I have to leave IDE for program to start running

[ghc88]

Hi there,

I have just got a Mega 2560 starter kit and I'm having an issue early on. I've searched around for an answer before posting, but I couldn't find anything. I am able to program the board just fine with the simple 'blink' example. However, the board doesn't seem to start running unless I leave the IDE, either exiting it completely or open another project. The LED just stays lit until I do this, it's almost as if the programmer is keeping comms open with the board after the programming cycle. I've tried hitting reset on the board, but it won't run until I've closed the IDE window. It's definitely working in terms of the program is being flashed properly, as I am able to observe changing the periodicity of the flashing LED...

I've read/watched a few guides trying to find the answer, and it doesn't seem normal that I have to close the IDE down before the program starts running, so I'm assuming there's something not quite right?

I am using version 2.0.0 of the IDE. If anyone has any ideas on how to resolve, it would be much appreciated.

[ghc88]

I tried flashing a different program, then made a new blink example and it seems to be working fine now... so problem resolved for now. No idea what fixed it as I hadn't changed the blink example code at all...

[petersi123]

Maybe try this sketch and see if it outputs to the serial monitor which can be opened from the Tools tab once you have uploaded the code.

void setup(void)
{
 Serial.begin(9600); 
}
void loop() 
{
  Serial.println("test");
}