Arduino Hardware Setup
What You'll Need
- An Arduino board (UNO, Nano, Mega, Leonardo, etc.)
- A USB cable compatible with your board (USB-B, Mini-USB, or Micro-USB depending on the model)
- A computer running Windows, macOS, or Linux
Install Drivers (If Needed)
- Genuine/official Arduino boards (UNO, Mega, Nano with FTDI chip): drivers are installed automatically with the IDE. No extra steps needed on most systems.
- Clone boards using a CH340/CH341 USB chip: install the CH340 driver for your OS. After installing, restart your computer.
- macOS users: if the board doesn't appear, check System Settings → Privacy & Security for a blocked driver notification and allow it.
Troubleshooting
- Port doesn't show up — try a different USB cable/port (some cables are charge-only and carry no data), and confirm the correct driver is installed.
- macOS shows "extension blocked" — go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, allow the driver, and restart.
Next: Install the Software
Once your board is connected and drivers are installed, head to the Software Setup guide to install the Arduino IDE.
➡️ Continue to Software / IDE Setup
