# Problem burning bootloader to Nano clone **URL:** \ **Category:** 3rd Party Boards\ **Created:** [July 7, 2025, 12:49pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/problem-burning-bootloader-to-nano-clone/1394141 "2025-07-07T12:49:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ismaeelawad](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/ismaeelawad/32/1105603_2.png) [@ismaeelawad](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/ismaeelawad)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2025, 12:49pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/problem-burning-bootloader-to-nano-clone/1394141/1 "2025-07-07T12:49:54Z")
I recently got a Nano clone and I found that sketches couldn't be uploaded. after looking around for a while I found that I needed to burn a bootloader to the chip; however I'm getting the following error: ```arduino Avrdude version 8.0-arduino.1 Copyright see https://github.com/avrdudes/avrdude/blob/main/AUTHORS System wide configuration file is C:\Users\ismaw\AppData\Local\Arduino15\packages\MiniCore\tools\avrdude\8.0-arduino.1\etc\avrdude.conf Using port : COM5 Using programmer : stk500v1 Setting baud rate : 19200 AVR part : ATmega328PB Programming modes : SPM, ISP, HVPP, debugWIRE Programmer type : STK500 Description : Atmel STK500 v1 HW Version : 2 FW Version : 1.18 Topcard : Unknown Vtarget : 0.0 V Varef : 0.0 V Oscillator : Off SCK period : 0.0 us XTAL frequency : 7.372800 MHz AVR device initialized and ready to accept instructions Device signature = FF 00 00 Error: expected signature for ATmega328PB is 1E 95 16 - double check chip or use -F to carry on regardless Avrdude done. Thank you. Failed chip erase: uploading error: exit status 1 ``` The device signature changes between trials. It could sometimes be `00 FF 00` for example. I'm using an **Arduino Mega** as the programmer So far I have done the following: - Installed the MiniCore boards - Chose 328PB as the variant (other variants also do not work) - Connected a 10uF capacitor from RESET to GND on the Mega (I also tried 100nF and 1uF and they both didn't work) - Connected an external 16MHz clock to the Nano between pins 9 and 10 I really couldn't find any other solutions online ☹ ---
**Author:** ![maxint-rd](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/maxint-rd/32/1095916_2.png) [@maxint-rd](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/maxint-rd)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2025, 12:59pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/problem-burning-bootloader-to-nano-clone/1394141/2 "2025-07-07T12:59:29Z")
Some thoughts: - I once had a cheap Nano clone with USB mini connector that didn't have the 328P processor, but a 168 instead. - make sure that your connections are stable - perhaps some other fuse got set, preventing you to upload. Using a high voltage fuse reset may be helpful. ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2025, 1:02pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/problem-burning-bootloader-to-nano-clone/1394141/3 "2025-07-07T13:02:56Z")
> [@ismaeelawad](#): > > Chose 328PB Does your nano have a 328PB on it? > Connected an external 16MHz clock to the Nano between pins 9 and 10 That makes no sense, they are GPIO pins ---
**Author:** ![ismaeelawad](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/ismaeelawad/32/1105603_2.png) [@ismaeelawad](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/ismaeelawad)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2025, 1:13pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/problem-burning-bootloader-to-nano-clone/1394141/4 "2025-07-07T13:13:13Z")
> [@jim-p](#): > > Does your nano have a 328PB on it? Yes, that's what it says on the chip at least > [@jim-p](#): > > That makes no sense, they are GPIO pins This was a proposed solution in [another forum post](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/invalid-device-signature-error/962328/3), here is the quote: > [@Invalid device signature error](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/invalid-device-signature-error/962328/3): > > 1: If you can find a crystal between 8 and 20 MHz you can connect it between pins 9 and 10 of the target chip. Do that and try Step 4 again. ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2025, 1:19pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/problem-burning-bootloader-to-nano-clone/1394141/5 "2025-07-07T13:19:00Z")
You misunderstood what he meant. If you press the reset button does the LED blink about 3 times? ---
**Author:** ![ismaeelawad](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/ismaeelawad/32/1105603_2.png) [@ismaeelawad](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/ismaeelawad)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2025, 1:29pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/problem-burning-bootloader-to-nano-clone/1394141/6 "2025-07-07T13:29:54Z")
Sorry for the misunderstanding. The LED blinks only once when I reset it ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2025, 1:31pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/problem-burning-bootloader-to-nano-clone/1394141/7 "2025-07-07T13:31:25Z")
Did you select the following when burning the bootloader? Clock: External 16MHz BOD: 2.7V Variant: 328PB Bootloader: Yes (UART0) Baud rate: Default ---
**Author:** ![ismaeelawad](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/ismaeelawad/32/1105603_2.png) [@ismaeelawad](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/ismaeelawad)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2025, 1:37pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/problem-burning-bootloader-to-nano-clone/1394141/8 "2025-07-07T13:37:46Z")
![image](https://europe1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/original/4X/a/c/b/acb21b767b6035eb101e5b5a97636a1e8f1c234e.png) Yes, I unfortunately still get the same error. I also tried selecting "Yes (UART1 328PB only)" and "No bootloader" with no luck. ---
**Author:** ![jim-p](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/jim-p/32/922840_2.png) [@jim-p](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/jim-p)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2025, 1:46pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/problem-burning-bootloader-to-nano-clone/1394141/9 "2025-07-07T13:46:48Z")
Since you said that you initially could not upload sketches, your nano may just be defective. At this point all I can say is recheck the wiring. ---
**Author:** ![ismaeelawad](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/ismaeelawad/32/1105603_2.png) [@ismaeelawad](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/ismaeelawad)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2025, 1:54pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/problem-burning-bootloader-to-nano-clone/1394141/10 "2025-07-07T13:54:43Z")
Thank you so much for your help. The fix was actually pretty simple. I was following an old guide that connected the ICSP RESET pin to pin 53 on the Mega, but it worked when I connected it to pin 10 instead as stated in the ArduinoISP sketch, my bad for not noticing that. ---
**Author:** ![system](https://dub1.discourse-cdn.com/arduino/user_avatar/forum.arduino.cc/system/32/1140315_2.png) [@system](https://forum.arduino.cc/u/system)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2026, 1:54pm UTC](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/problem-burning-bootloader-to-nano-clone/1394141/11 "2026-01-03T13:54:48Z")
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