"Programmer is not responding" when uploading to Pro Mini

Development Tools IDE 1.x
1

I'm an engineering student just taking my first steps into the world of Arduino, so please be patient with me as I learn! I just got an Arduino Pro Mini (5V, 16MHz, Sparkfun part number 11113) and the FTDI USB adapter. I have the latest Arduino software on my 2009 iMac running Snow Leopard. I tried testing the Blink sketch but when I tried to upload it I got this error:

avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding

I googled this error and found nothing useful, I already have the FTDI driver installed and I have tried both serial ports when trying to upload the sketch. Here's exactly what happens when I try to upload a sketch.

1: It compiles just about instantly, then the progress bar stalls at around 90% and it says "Uploading..." It stays at 90% until the error comes up.
2: a green LED on the corner of the Arduino blinks twice. Looking at it with the reset button close to me and the USB facing away, the green LED it just to the right of the reset button.
3: after a half second or so pause, the TX LED on the FTDI board blinks twice.
4: 4-5 seconds after the last blink on the FTDI board, the bottom of the Arduino program turns orange displays the error.

The whole time, there is a red LED in the middle of the Arduino that stays illuminated. I tried 2 different USB cables and 2 different ports on my computer so I know those are not the issue. What could be causing my Arduino to not take a program from my computer? Let me know if there are any more details I can provide that would make tracking down the problem easier. Thanks in advance!

2

Which FTDI USB adapter did you use?

You need to make sure the one you have brings out DTR so that Auto-Reset will work during programming.

To test if Auto-Reset is the issue:
Hold down the Reset button
Continue to hold Reset while selecting Upload
When it says Uploading, release the Reset button.

3

I am using the FTDI Basic from Sparkfun, it does have auto reset and the description specifically says it works with the Arduino Pro series. The part number is 09716. I just tried a couple of times holding the reset button and uploading the sketch, timing it differently each time, but still it does nothing. On the UNO I use at my school, the reset button causes some LEDs to flash, nothing changes on my pro mini. Just the 1 constant red light. Could that be a problem?

4

It sounds like it doesn't have the bootloader installed.

I would contact Sparkfun and see if you can get a replacement.

5

If it is a problem with the bootloader is there any way for me to fix it? The Arduino was given to me by my uncle who used it for a short while then moved to a different model, so I know that at one point it worked. Is there any kind of setup step I may have missed? I downloaded the arduino software and FTDI drivers, is there anything else I need to do as far as getting my computer ready to use the Arduino or is it definitely defective? (I also emailed my uncle about my problem, I'll post what he says when I get a response.)

6

You can upload a new bootloader, but that requires an ISP (in-system programmer) or another Arduino to act as an ISP.

Do you have access to either of these?

7

I have access to UNOs, Lilypads and Micros at my school. I did some searching online and found instructions on how to reinstall the bootloader but it's pretty confusing, can anyone point me to a simplified tutorial to reinstall the bootloader on my Pro Mini using one if the models my school has? Thanks!

8

Nick has a great set of instructions here: Gammon Forum : Electronics : Microprocessors : Atmega bootloader programmer

9

I had the same problem on my Mac. Some friends were kind enough to let me try on their Macs, and interestingly, it worked perfectly on Lion, but not Snow Leopard or Mountain Lion...

10

I actually found out that my uncle had removed the bootloader. He gave me one with the bootloader and it is all working well with Snow Leopard.

11

Found advice in this topic that helped me with the same problem.

Changed
XXXXXX.upload.speed=19200
to
XXXXXX.upload.speed=57600

in section of Arduino Pro or Pro Mini in boards.txt

12

So you decided to bring up a 3 year old thread?

13

I know this thread is ancient, but this problem seems to be common. In case anyone is still getting it:

I solved it very simply, by using a different USB port to drive the FTDI Basic . Both ports claim to be USB2, but the FTDI Basic programmer won't talk to the one at the back of my desktop box. It works fine with one at the front. Since it's a 30 second fix, it's worth trying. Likewise a different USB lead.

1 Like
14

This is an ongoing problem for users (including myself), so I recommend that this be kept available.

1 Like
15

codlink:
So you decided to bring up a 3 year old thread?

Yes, it's now 2018 and this is still an issue for some, including me.

16

I've been having the same problem when connecting directly to the USB of my laptop. However, when using a USB-hub the problem went away.

This was true for both the Arduino Pro Mini 5V using USB to RS232 and Arduino Nano (old bootloader)

So I assume it may be a problem with the ftdi driver vs USB/USB2/USB3

17

switching rx <> tx worked for me. Amazing amid this discussion no one mentioned this, while a quick search leading to stackexchange got me the answer!!!

1 Like
18 
[codeArduino: 1.8.12 (Windows 10), Board: "Arduino Pro or Pro Mini, ATmega328P (5V, 16 MHz)"

Sketch uses 2466 bytes (8%) of program storage space. Maximum is 30720 bytes.
Global variables use 30 bytes (1%) of dynamic memory, leaving 2018 bytes for local variables. Maximum is 2048 bytes.
C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr/bin/avrdude -CC:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr/etc/avrdude.conf -v -patmega328p -carduino -PCOM3 -b57600 -D -Uflash:w:C:\Users\ADMIN\AppData\Local\Temp\arduino_build_851172/sketch_apr27a.ino.hex:i 

avrdude: Version 6.3-20190619
         Copyright (c) 2000-2005 Brian Dean, http://www.bdmicro.com/
         Copyright (c) 2007-2014 Joerg Wunsch

         System wide configuration file is "C:\Program Files (x86)\Arduino\hardware\tools\avr/etc/avrdude.conf"

         Using Port                    : COM3
         Using Programmer              : arduino
         Overriding Baud Rate          : 57600
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 1 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xc3
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 2 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xc3
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 3 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xc3
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 4 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xc3
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 5 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xc3
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 6 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xc3
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 7 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xc3
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 8 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xc3
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 9 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xc3
avrdude: stk500_recv(): programmer is not responding
avrdude: stk500_getsync() attempt 10 of 10: not in sync: resp=0xc3

avrdude done.  Thank you.

Problem uploading to board.  See http://www.arduino.cc/en/Guide/Troubleshooting#upload for suggestions.

This report would have more information with
"Show verbose output during compilation"
option enabled in File -> Preferences.
]