Nokia 5110 Black screen problems

prophet121 · May 2, 2020, 4:13pm

Hello everyone,

I am very new in the Arduino community so please be gentle

I got a problem with the Nokia 5110. I´m using the Adafruit library.

So I have a task to make an Lux meter, wrote the programm with some tutorials and got it on the arduino. But only the Led Backlight was on. So i rewired it and copied a fairly simple program to test if the screen was okay. It needs to show some random pictures but all i get is a black scrren ,then some lines, then a blank screen and repeat. I tried to change the contrast all the way to 127 like in some other posts but it didnt help.

Glad for any help, advice or feedback!

Thanks in advance

groundFungus · May 2, 2020, 4:52pm

You have not provided the information that we need to b able to help you.

Post your code. Post a wiring diagram (schematic). Post clear photos of the wiring and the display. Which Arduino board?

Read the how to use this forum-please read sticky to see how to properly post code and some advice on how to ask an effective question. Remove useless white space and format the code with the IDE autoformat tool (crtl-t or Tools, Auto Format) before posting code.

Posting images
How to post an image.
Another page on posting images.

prophet121 · May 2, 2020, 6:42pm

Oh , I´m sorry. Here is some more information:

I´m using the Arduino Uno.
And this is the code I used to test the screen.
Don´t mind the light sensor
I wanted to attach a video too but the upload size is to small.

#include <SPI.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_PCD8544.h>

// Software SPI (slower updates, more flexible pin options):
// pin 7 - Serial clock out (SCLK)
// pin 6 - Serial data out (DIN)
// pin 5 - Data/Command select (D/C)
// pin 4 - LCD chip select (CS)
// pin 3 - LCD reset (RST)
//Adafruit_PCD8544 display = Adafruit_PCD8544(7, 6, 5, 4, 3);

// Hardware SPI (faster, but must use certain hardware pins):
// SCK is LCD serial clock (SCLK) - this is pin 13 on Arduino Uno
// MOSI is LCD DIN - this is pin 11 on an Arduino Uno
// pin 5 - Data/Command select (D/C)
// pin 4 - LCD chip select (CS)
// pin 3 - LCD reset (RST)
 Adafruit_PCD8544 display = Adafruit_PCD8544(5, 4, 3);
// Note with hardware SPI MISO and SS pins aren't used but will still be read
// and written to during SPI transfer.  Be careful sharing these pins!

#define NUMFLAKES 10
#define XPOS 0
#define YPOS 1
#define DELTAY 2


#define LOGO16_GLCD_HEIGHT 16
#define LOGO16_GLCD_WIDTH  16

static const unsigned char PROGMEM logo16_glcd_bmp[] =
{ "picture" };

void setup()   {
  Serial.begin(9600);

  display.begin();
  // init done

  // you can change the contrast around to adapt the display
  // for the best viewing!
  display.setContrast(50);

  display.display(); // show splashscreen
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();   // clears the screen and buffer

  // draw a single pixel
  display.drawPixel(10, 10, BLACK);
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // draw many lines
  testdrawline();
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // draw rectangles
  testdrawrect();
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // draw multiple rectangles
  testfillrect();
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // draw mulitple circles
  testdrawcircle();
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // draw a circle, 10 pixel radius
  display.fillCircle(display.width()/2, display.height()/2, 10, BLACK);
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  testdrawroundrect();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  testfillroundrect();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  testdrawtriangle();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();
   
  testfilltriangle();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // draw the first ~12 characters in the font
  testdrawchar();
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // text display tests
  display.setTextSize(1);
  display.setTextColor(BLACK);
  display.setCursor(0,0);
  display.println("Hello, world!");
  display.setTextColor(WHITE, BLACK); // 'inverted' text
  display.println(3.141592);
  display.setTextSize(2);
  display.setTextColor(BLACK);
  display.print("0x"); display.println(0xDEADBEEF, HEX);
  display.display();
  delay(2000);

  // rotation example
  display.clearDisplay();
  display.setRotation(1);  // rotate 90 degrees counter clockwise, can also use values of 2 and 3 to go further.
  display.setTextSize(1);
  display.setTextColor(BLACK);
  display.setCursor(0,0);
  display.println("Rotation");
  display.setTextSize(2);
  display.println("Example!");
  display.display();
  delay(2000);

  // revert back to no rotation
  display.setRotation(0);

  // miniature bitmap display
  display.clearDisplay();
  display.drawBitmap(30, 16,  logo16_glcd_bmp, 16, 16, 1);
  display.display();

  // invert the display
  display.invertDisplay(true);
  delay(1000); 
  display.invertDisplay(false);
  delay(1000); 

  // draw a bitmap icon and 'animate' movement
  testdrawbitmap(logo16_glcd_bmp, LOGO16_GLCD_WIDTH, LOGO16_GLCD_HEIGHT);
}


void loop() {
  
}


void testdrawbitmap(const uint8_t *bitmap, uint8_t w, uint8_t h) {
  uint8_t icons[NUMFLAKES][3];
  randomSeed(666);     // whatever seed
 
  // initialize
  for (uint8_t f=0; f< NUMFLAKES; f++) {
    icons[f][XPOS] = random(display.width());
    icons[f][YPOS] = 0;
    icons[f][DELTAY] = random(5) + 1;
    
    Serial.print("x: ");
    Serial.print(icons[f][XPOS], DEC);
    Serial.print(" y: ");
    Serial.print(icons[f][YPOS], DEC);
    Serial.print(" dy: ");
    Serial.println(icons[f][DELTAY], DEC);
  }

  while (1) {
    // draw each icon
    for (uint8_t f=0; f< NUMFLAKES; f++) {
      display.drawBitmap(icons[f][XPOS], icons[f][YPOS], logo16_glcd_bmp, w, h, BLACK);
    }
    display.display();
    delay(200);
    
    // then erase it + move it
    for (uint8_t f=0; f< NUMFLAKES; f++) {
      display.drawBitmap(icons[f][XPOS], icons[f][YPOS],  logo16_glcd_bmp, w, h, WHITE);
      // move it
      icons[f][YPOS] += icons[f][DELTAY];
      // if its gone, reinit
      if (icons[f][YPOS] > display.height()) {
 icons[f][XPOS] = random(display.width());
 icons[f][YPOS] = 0;
 icons[f][DELTAY] = random(5) + 1;
      }
    }
   }
}


void testdrawchar(void) {
  display.setTextSize(1);
  display.setTextColor(BLACK);
  display.setCursor(0,0);

  for (uint8_t i=0; i < 168; i++) {
    if (i == '\n') continue;
    display.write(i);
    //if ((i > 0) && (i % 14 == 0))
      //display.println();
  }    
  display.display();
}

void testdrawcircle(void) {
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height(); i+=2) {
    display.drawCircle(display.width()/2, display.height()/2, i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
}

void testfillrect(void) {
  uint8_t color = 1;
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height()/2; i+=3) {
    // alternate colors
    display.fillRect(i, i, display.width()-i*2, display.height()-i*2, color%2);
    display.display();
    color++;
  }
}

void testdrawtriangle(void) {
  for (int16_t i=0; i<min(display.width(),display.height())/2; i+=5) {
    display.drawTriangle(display.width()/2, display.height()/2-i,
                     display.width()/2-i, display.height()/2+i,
                     display.width()/2+i, display.height()/2+i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
}

void testfilltriangle(void) {
  uint8_t color = BLACK;
  for (int16_t i=min(display.width(),display.height())/2; i>0; i-=5) {
    display.fillTriangle(display.width()/2, display.height()/2-i,
                     display.width()/2-i, display.height()/2+i,
                     display.width()/2+i, display.height()/2+i, color);
    if (color == WHITE) color = BLACK;
    else color = WHITE;
    display.display();
  }
}

void testdrawroundrect(void) {
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height()/2-2; i+=2) {
    display.drawRoundRect(i, i, display.width()-2*i, display.height()-2*i, display.height()/4, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
}

void testfillroundrect(void) {
  uint8_t color = BLACK;
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height()/2-2; i+=2) {
    display.fillRoundRect(i, i, display.width()-2*i, display.height()-2*i, display.height()/4, color);
    if (color == WHITE) color = BLACK;
    else color = WHITE;
    display.display();
  }
}
   
void testdrawrect(void) {
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height()/2; i+=2) {
    display.drawRect(i, i, display.width()-2*i, display.height()-2*i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
}

void testdrawline() {  
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.width(); i+=4) {
    display.drawLine(0, 0, i, display.height()-1, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height(); i+=4) {
    display.drawLine(0, 0, display.width()-1, i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  delay(250);
  
  display.clearDisplay();
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.width(); i+=4) {
    display.drawLine(0, display.height()-1, i, 0, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  for (int8_t i=display.height()-1; i>=0; i-=4) {
    display.drawLine(0, display.height()-1, display.width()-1, i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  delay(250);
  
  display.clearDisplay();
  for (int16_t i=display.width()-1; i>=0; i-=4) {
    display.drawLine(display.width()-1, display.height()-1, i, 0, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  for (int16_t i=display.height()-1; i>=0; i-=4) {
    display.drawLine(display.width()-1, display.height()-1, 0, i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  delay(250);

  display.clearDisplay();
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height(); i+=4) {
    display.drawLine(display.width()-1, 0, 0, i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.width(); i+=4) {
    display.drawLine(display.width()-1, 0, i, display.height()-1, BLACK); 
    display.display();
  }
  delay(250);
}

groundFungus · May 2, 2020, 7:51pm

OP image.

Posting images
How to post an image.
Another page on posting images.

The Nokia5110 display is a 3.3V device. Supplying it with 5V or applying 5V to the inputs can damage the display. Use level shifters or resistors on the data and control lines.

groundFungus · May 2, 2020, 8:07pm

Using the following code (slight modification of your posted code) and wiring I get the Nokia 5110 display to work with my Uno. Note that I use software SPI.

#include <SPI.h>
#include <Adafruit_GFX.h>
#include <Adafruit_PCD8544.h>

// Software SPI (slower updates, more flexible pin options):
// pin 7 - Serial clock out (SCLK)
// pin 6 - Serial data out (DIN)
// pin 5 - Data/Command select (D/C)
// pin 4 - LCD chip select (CS)
// pin 3 - LCD reset (RST)
Adafruit_PCD8544 display = Adafruit_PCD8544(7, 6, 5, 4, 3);

// Hardware SPI (faster, but must use certain hardware pins):
// SCK is LCD serial clock (SCLK) - this is pin 13 on Arduino Uno
// MOSI is LCD DIN - this is pin 11 on an Arduino Uno
// pin 5 - Data/Command select (D/C)
// pin 4 - LCD chip select (CS)
// pin 3 - LCD reset (RST)
// Adafruit_PCD8544 display = Adafruit_PCD8544(5, 4, 3);
// Note with hardware SPI MISO and SS pins aren't used but will still be read
// and written to during SPI transfer.  Be careful sharing these pins!

#define NUMFLAKES 10
#define XPOS 0
#define YPOS 1
#define DELTAY 2


#define LOGO16_GLCD_HEIGHT 16
#define LOGO16_GLCD_WIDTH  16

static const unsigned char PROGMEM logo16_glcd_bmp[] =
{ "picture" };

void setup()   {
  Serial.begin(9600);

  display.begin();
  // init done

  // you can change the contrast around to adapt the display
  // for the best viewing!
  display.setContrast(60);

  display.display(); // show splashscreen
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();   // clears the screen and buffer

  // draw a single pixel
  display.drawPixel(10, 10, BLACK);
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // draw many lines
  testdrawline();
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // draw rectangles
  testdrawrect();
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // draw multiple rectangles
  testfillrect();
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // draw mulitple circles
  testdrawcircle();
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // draw a circle, 10 pixel radius
  display.fillCircle(display.width()/2, display.height()/2, 10, BLACK);
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  testdrawroundrect();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  testfillroundrect();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  testdrawtriangle();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();
  
  testfilltriangle();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // draw the first ~12 characters in the font
  testdrawchar();
  display.display();
  delay(2000);
  display.clearDisplay();

  // text display tests
  display.setTextSize(1);
  display.setTextColor(BLACK);
  display.setCursor(0,0);
  display.println("Hello, world!");
  display.setTextColor(WHITE, BLACK); // 'inverted' text
  display.println(3.141592);
  display.setTextSize(2);
  display.setTextColor(BLACK);
  display.print("0x"); display.println(0xDEADBEEF, HEX);
  display.display();
  delay(2000);

  // rotation example
  display.clearDisplay();
  display.setRotation(1);  // rotate 90 degrees counter clockwise, can also use values of 2 and 3 to go further.
  display.setTextSize(1);
  display.setTextColor(BLACK);
  display.setCursor(0,0);
  display.println("Rotation");
  display.setTextSize(2);
  display.println("Example!");
  display.display();
  delay(2000);

  // revert back to no rotation
  display.setRotation(0);

  // miniature bitmap display
  display.clearDisplay();
  display.drawBitmap(30, 16,  logo16_glcd_bmp, 16, 16, 1);
  display.display();

  // invert the display
  display.invertDisplay(true);
  delay(1000);
  display.invertDisplay(false);
  delay(1000);

  // draw a bitmap icon and 'animate' movement
  testdrawbitmap(logo16_glcd_bmp, LOGO16_GLCD_WIDTH, LOGO16_GLCD_HEIGHT);
}


void loop() {
  
}


void testdrawbitmap(const uint8_t *bitmap, uint8_t w, uint8_t h) {
  uint8_t icons[NUMFLAKES][3];
  randomSeed(666);     // whatever seed
 
  // initialize
  for (uint8_t f=0; f< NUMFLAKES; f++) {
    icons[f][XPOS] = random(display.width());
    icons[f][YPOS] = 0;
    icons[f][DELTAY] = random(5) + 1;
    
    Serial.print("x: ");
    Serial.print(icons[f][XPOS], DEC);
    Serial.print(" y: ");
    Serial.print(icons[f][YPOS], DEC);
    Serial.print(" dy: ");
    Serial.println(icons[f][DELTAY], DEC);
  }

  while (1) {
    // draw each icon
    for (uint8_t f=0; f< NUMFLAKES; f++) {
      display.drawBitmap(icons[f][XPOS], icons[f][YPOS], logo16_glcd_bmp, w, h, BLACK);
    }
    display.display();
    delay(200);
    
    // then erase it + move it
    for (uint8_t f=0; f< NUMFLAKES; f++) {
      display.drawBitmap(icons[f][XPOS], icons[f][YPOS],  logo16_glcd_bmp, w, h, WHITE);
      // move it
      icons[f][YPOS] += icons[f][DELTAY];
      // if its gone, reinit
      if (icons[f][YPOS] > display.height()) {
 icons[f][XPOS] = random(display.width());
 icons[f][YPOS] = 0;
 icons[f][DELTAY] = random(5) + 1;
      }
    }
   }
}


void testdrawchar(void) {
  display.setTextSize(1);
  display.setTextColor(BLACK);
  display.setCursor(0,0);

  for (uint8_t i=0; i < 168; i++) {
    if (i == '\n') continue;
    display.write(i);
    //if ((i > 0) && (i % 14 == 0))
      //display.println();
  }    
  display.display();
}

void testdrawcircle(void) {
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height(); i+=2) {
    display.drawCircle(display.width()/2, display.height()/2, i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
}

void testfillrect(void) {
  uint8_t color = 1;
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height()/2; i+=3) {
    // alternate colors
    display.fillRect(i, i, display.width()-i*2, display.height()-i*2, color%2);
    display.display();
    color++;
  }
}

void testdrawtriangle(void) {
  for (int16_t i=0; i<min(display.width(),display.height())/2; i+=5) {
    display.drawTriangle(display.width()/2, display.height()/2-i,
                     display.width()/2-i, display.height()/2+i,
                     display.width()/2+i, display.height()/2+i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
}

void testfilltriangle(void) {
  uint8_t color = BLACK;
  for (int16_t i=min(display.width(),display.height())/2; i>0; i-=5) {
    display.fillTriangle(display.width()/2, display.height()/2-i,
                     display.width()/2-i, display.height()/2+i,
                     display.width()/2+i, display.height()/2+i, color);
    if (color == WHITE) color = BLACK;
    else color = WHITE;
    display.display();
  }
}

void testdrawroundrect(void) {
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height()/2-2; i+=2) {
    display.drawRoundRect(i, i, display.width()-2*i, display.height()-2*i, display.height()/4, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
}

void testfillroundrect(void) {
  uint8_t color = BLACK;
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height()/2-2; i+=2) {
    display.fillRoundRect(i, i, display.width()-2*i, display.height()-2*i, display.height()/4, color);
    if (color == WHITE) color = BLACK;
    else color = WHITE;
    display.display();
  }
}
  
void testdrawrect(void) {
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height()/2; i+=2) {
    display.drawRect(i, i, display.width()-2*i, display.height()-2*i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
}

void testdrawline() {  
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.width(); i+=4) {
    display.drawLine(0, 0, i, display.height()-1, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height(); i+=4) {
    display.drawLine(0, 0, display.width()-1, i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  delay(250);
  
  display.clearDisplay();
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.width(); i+=4) {
    display.drawLine(0, display.height()-1, i, 0, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  for (int8_t i=display.height()-1; i>=0; i-=4) {
    display.drawLine(0, display.height()-1, display.width()-1, i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  delay(250);
  
  display.clearDisplay();
  for (int16_t i=display.width()-1; i>=0; i-=4) {
    display.drawLine(display.width()-1, display.height()-1, i, 0, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  for (int16_t i=display.height()-1; i>=0; i-=4) {
    display.drawLine(display.width()-1, display.height()-1, 0, i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  delay(250);

  display.clearDisplay();
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.height(); i+=4) {
    display.drawLine(display.width()-1, 0, 0, i, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  for (int16_t i=0; i<display.width(); i+=4) {
    display.drawLine(display.width()-1, 0, i, display.height()-1, BLACK);
    display.display();
  }
  delay(250);
}

Nick_Pyner · May 3, 2020, 2:33am

I run the 5110 off the 3.3v pin using a 560r for the light. I'm not sure using 5v is actually causing your problem but desist anyway.

There is code, like from Stewart Lewis, that has contrast adjustment, but I found the you would not need to do that if you use the original Philips library. I don't know if the library is actually any different.

prophet121 · May 3, 2020, 1:47pm

Hello Nick,

Thanks for the quick response,after some more fiddeling and trying your schematics it didnt work at all. After i changed the BL to be grounded the Led backlight is now on. But it still doesn´t seem to display anything on the screen.

prophet121 · May 3, 2020, 3:53pm

Hello again,

I managed to fix the problem. After all it was the problem with the screen. It had some loose contacts. I had to press the screen firmly on the board.

Nick_Pyner · May 4, 2020, 2:58am

Be aware these are old rejects out of a bin in the back shed. I have never heard of bad connection causing a black screen, but there you are....
I have just one that is a bit unreliable, and you may find yours will fail again.
I rather feel the ssd1306 is a better bet these days, They are new, and much the same price.

MK1888 · May 4, 2020, 3:08am

Downsides to the SSD1306 are the small size and current consumption compared to the Nokia, if that matters to you.

Nick_Pyner · May 4, 2020, 3:46pm

I wasn't aware of the current issue. It is new and it is more versatile. It is easy to use different font sizes and I have to use glasses on the 5110 anyway.

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