I have an Arduino Uno connected to Windows 8.1.
As stated in the title, the serial port option in Tools is grayed out. When I try to up load a program, it says "serial port COM1 not found". I have googled it, but all the solutions are full of technical stuff that i don't understand at all. i'm a noob when it comes to stuff like that, so does anyone have a solution that is easy to understand or something?
Thanks!
Did you install the driver for the Arduino? I use WinXP, and it is installed in the control panel - system - device manager.
I have the same problem with my Uno that is connected via a Sparkfun AVR Programmer. I am running XP SP3 from 2002 on a Virtual PC on a mac and I get a grayed out port menu as well. The Arduino IDE is v 1.0.5.
I installed the "usbtinyISP" win32 driver v1.12 from adafruit website but the usbtinyISP does not get listed as a port.
Markus
MEL69:
I have the same problem with my Uno that is connected via a Sparkfun AVR Programmer.
So your problem is completely different and not at all related to the original poster's.
Programmers won't show up as Serial Ports in the IDE.
Even if the 'programmer' is an arduino board running the arduinoISP sketch?
Yes, it seems I have only the same symptoms. I found out that there is another menu item which I had not noticed before: File -> Upload Using Programmer. That does the job of uploading the sketch.
But how can I now use the Serial Monitor?
MEL69:
But how can I now use the Serial Monitor?
Connect the Uno to USB and use the on board USB to serial chip to create a virtual serial port on your PC.
Why are you using a programmer anyway?
The USB connection does not work any more - I must have fried it. The board still gets power thru it but it does not show up as a serial device any more.
It's pretty common for the atmega8u2 to lose its firmware. Since you have a programmer now, you can try reflashing just that chip.
In the mean time to get back a USB to serial connection (the serial monitor), you'll need to attach a USB to serial adapter (like a FTDI cable) to pins 0 and 1.
I have the same problem, but it only started after I upgraded to Windows 8.1.
Previously I had the Windows 8 that came with my notepad computer. I downloaded and installed the Arduino IDE, since when I've had no problems connecting my Arduinos (Uno and Mega) and Arduino Compatibles (like the Rainbowduino) and uploading sketches to them.
A couple of days ago I was prompted by my computer to upgrade to Windows 8.1. After this, when I tried to edit and upload a sketch, the system reported "COM4 Not Found" -- I looked under the Tools Menu and -- as you say -- this option is grayed out.
I've searched Google (to no avail) and I've tried uninstalling and re-installing the Arduino IDE ... no luck.
I've got a couple of fun hobby projects I'm working on that are now stalled until I can sort this problem out.
I'm not wearing my happy face ....
Any suggestions would be very gratefully received and much appreciated.
Cheers -- Max
I am having the same problem. Trying to get my new Arduino Uno to connect to my computer running Windows 8.
Found this on youtube to correct the problem in Windows 8
Thanks for suggesting that YouTube video -- but when I went to "Control Panel > Device Manager" there was no "Other > Arduino" entry ... so the rest of the instructions didn't help (sad face)
Find a friend with a Linux box and flash the boot loader from Linux. Maybe then it will see the usb port.
Jim.
Max-The-Magnificent:
Thanks for suggesting that YouTube video -- but when I went to "Control Panel > Device Manager" there was no "Other > Arduino" entry ... so the rest of the instructions didn't help (sad face)
I followed this directions and they worked for me. I didn't see "Arduino", and actually forget what it said exactly. It did appear to have a lock pad picture on the icon though.
Thanks for posting the video!