Check the board uploads

Get ready

• Arduino IDE 2.x is installed. If not, get it from arduino.cc/en/software (ask your teacher if the PC blocks installs).
• The Arduino UNO is plugged into the PC with the USB cable.
• Tools → Board → Arduino AVR Boards → Arduino UNO is selected.
• Tools → Port is set to the Arduino's COM port (see “Find your port” below).

✔ All ticked. Now upload the code.

Find your port

A port is the “socket” on the PC that the Arduino talks through. Windows calls them COM1, COM3, COM6 and so on.

1. Unplug the Arduino. Open Tools → Port and look at the list.
2. Plug the Arduino back in. Open Tools → Port again.
3. The new COM entry is your Arduino. Click it.

Seen Error: cannot open port \\.\COM6? It means the IDE tried a port that is not there (or is busy). Pick the port again using the three steps above.

Upload the code

1. Close the Serial Monitor if it is open.
2. Download the sketch below and open it in Arduino IDE (File → Open). If the IDE asks to put it in a folder, click OK.
3. Plug the USB cable back in. Check Tools → Board says Arduino UNO and Tools → Port shows your COM port.
4. Click Upload (the round → arrow button). Wait for Done uploading.

// Step 0: check that uploading works.
// The small "L" LED on the board should blink once a second.
// Open Tools > Serial Monitor (9600 baud) to see "Upload works!".

void setup()
{
  Serial.begin(9600);
  pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);   // LED_BUILTIN is pin 13 on the UNO
  Serial.println("Upload works!");
}

void loop()
{
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH);  // LED on
  delay(500);
  digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW);   // LED off
  delay(500);
}