Only backlight on LCD[solved]

Using Arduino Displays
1

Hello there!

so i followed the hello world tutorial(https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/LibraryExamples/HelloWorld) but i cant get text on my lcd. The backlight with pot meter works just fine, just no text. I also looked at some other threads that had a similar problem like mine but that also didn't work for me. I'm using Arduino Uno with 1602A LCD screen. Anyone got any ideas?

Code:

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

const int rs = 12, en = 11, d4 = 7, d5 = 6, d6 = 5, d7 = 4; // define pins as letters for convenience
int val;
LiquidCrystal lcd(rs, en, d4, d5, d6, d7); // bind pins
void setup() {
    lcd.begin (16,2); // collums * rows
    lcd.print ("Hello world!"); //print "Hello world!"
}

void loop() {
  lcd.setCursor(0,1); //set cursor to first collum, second row
  lcd.print(millis() /1000); //counts time till last reset (bracket after 'millis' is neccesary)
delay(1000);
}
2
  • add a 1s delay in the loop to avoid constant refresh
  • post a picture of your setup as well as description of all your connexions
  • which LiquidCrystal library are you using ?
3

IMG_20211120_134447195_HDR1
IMG_20211120_134447195_HDR11920×1437 226 KB

  • done
  • idk if you can easily see the connections but here ya go. also how do i describe connections? no idea how that goes. at least the d4 - d7 pins are defined in the code i posted.
  • the one that came with the arduino IDE program probably from when i installed it a couple of years ago for school, do i need to update it?
4

your breadboard is cut in the middle

image

so GND and POWER don't go through

you need to put small wires to ensure continuity

5

that worked thx!!

6

Have fun

1 Like
7

Remove the connection from the potentiometer to 5 V.

This is a longstanding mistake blindly copied from one "tutorial" to another and another. The circuit still works, but if you remove that connection it is easier to set the contrast.

In fact, a 10k potentiometer is the wrong value, should be 1k but if you actually connect both ends if the 10k potentiometer to negative/ ground, you will be able to adjust the contrast over an even wider span of the potentiometer again. :sunglasses:

8

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