Updating to Arduino IDE 2.3.0

Hello!

I am using Arduino IDE for school, and recently downloaded Arduino IDE 2.04. When I first downloaded it, it asked if I wanted to download Arduino IDE 2.3.0, and I said later, as it wasn't working. When I opened it yesterday, and today as well, it still doesn't work. Downloading works, but when it asks to close Arduino IDE to install it shows no sign of update anywhere on my computer, and when I reopen Arduino IDE it just asks me to download it again. I am able to use it without updating, and i don't need the update itself for school, but I would like to use it if possible. Could someone explain to me why this is happening and a possible fix for it?

Because you posted this in IDE 1.x, I'm trying to figure out if you're currently using IDE 1.x or 2.0.4 (or both).

What wasn't working?

Sorry, new to the forum and wasn't really sure which thing to select. I am using Arduino IDE 2.04 at the moment. I'm not sure why it wasn't working, all I know is that when I clicked install it just closes Arduino IDE, it says it's supposed to close and install the update but it just seems like it doesn't.

Hi @yeeboi. I'll provide instructions for an alternative method to update to Arduino IDE 2.3.0:

  1. Click the following link to open the "Software" page on the official Arduino website:
    https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
  2. Click the "Windows Win 10 and newer, 64 bits" link you will see under the "DOWNLOAD OPTIONS" section of that page.
    A donation request page will open.
  3. If you would like to make a donation, click the "CONTRIBUTE AND DOWNLOAD" button and complete the donation payment, otherwise click the "JUST DOWNLOAD" link to proceed without a donation.
  4. You might now be presented with a newsletter subscription offer page. If you would like to subscribe, fill the information and click the "SUBSCRIBE & DOWNLOAD" button, otherwise click the "JUST DOWNLOAD" link to proceed without subscribing.
    A download will start.
  5. Wait for the download to finish.
  6. Run the downloaded file.
    An installer dialog will open.
  7. Complete the various steps in the installer dialog.
  8. Wait until the installation process finishes.

Now start Arduino IDE. You should find that you are now using the latest version. Hopefully when the next version of Arduino IDE comes out, you will be able to successfully use the built-in auto-update feature rather than having to perform the alternative procedure I described above each time.

One possible explanation for the problem you experienced is that the package you used when installing Arduino IDE 2.0.4 does not support auto-update. There are three different Windows download links on the "Software" page:

  • "Windows Win 10 and newer, 64 bits"
  • "Windows MSI installer"
  • "Windows ZIP file"

The only one of the three that properly supports auto-update is the first. If you installed one of the other packages, you can still use the updater feature, but it will install the update to a different location from the current installation rather than updating the existing installation in place. That means you end up with multiple Arduino IDE installations and so if you start the IDE as usual again after performing the update, it will simply start the outdated version of Arduino IDE from the original installation location, making it appear that no update occurred.

Thank you for your attempt at help! Unfortunately, when I run the download, it tries to open an app that I cannot open because I am on a school laptop. I will figure out what to do but I will likely just stick with Arduino IDE 2.04.

OK, that is unfortunate. You can try the other download options on the "Software" page. As I mentioned above, those don't have full auto-update support, but auto-update is only a convenience feature. If you find a way to install Arduino IDE 2.3.0, you can always just download each new version and install it as you did with 2.3.0.

Hey, I know it's been a really long time - I believe the update was blocked by my school. I recently noticed that on February 14th, the same day I posted this in the forum, I had a download of 2.3.0 and when I open it it says "This app has been blocked by your administrator" in a pop-up - just like what happens when I try to open Microsoft Edge, the Microsoft Store, or lots of other apps. At least now I know what the problem was!

Thanks for taking the time to post an update. I hope you were able to finally use the latest version of Arduino IDE (currently 2.3.2).