💻 Install Software (Required Before Connecting)
Install Arduino IDE
Download and install the Arduino IDE:
https://www.arduino.cc/en/software
Windows Only: Install CH340 Driver (Critical Step)
This board uses a CH340 USB interface, which requires a driver on many Windows systems.
Before plugging in your board:
- Install the CH340 driver (see Appendix A below)
- Restart your computer
- Then connect the board
⚠️ Warning: If you skip this step, your board will not appear in the Arduino IDE.
🔌 Connect the Board
Plug the included USB cable into your board and computer.
✅ The power LED should turn ON.
If Your Board Is Not Detected
The most common issue is using the wrong USB cable.
- ✅ Data Cable (Works): Allows code upload and communication
- ❌ Charge-Only Cable: Powers the board but cannot transfer data
💡 Tip: If your board is not detected, try a different USB cable first. This solves the majority of connection issues.
🔧 Verify the Board Is Using the CH340 USB Driver
On Windows:
- Open Device Manager
- Expand Ports (COM & LPT)
✅ You should see something like:
USB-SERIAL CH340 (COM3)
If You Don't See This:
- Driver not installed → install CH340 driver (see Appendix A)
- Cable issue → try another cable
- Try unplugging and reconnecting
🔧 Configure Arduino IDE
Open Arduino IDE and set:
- Tools → Board → Arduino Uno
- Tools → Port → COMx (your board)
💡 Tip: The COM port must match what you saw in Device Manager.
🚀 Upload a Test Program (Blink)
- Go to: File → Examples → Basics → Blink
- Click Upload
What Success Looks Like
- Upload completes with no errors
- The onboard LED labeled "L" blinks repeatedly
🛠️ Troubleshooting
Board Not Showing in IDE
- Install CH340 driver (see Appendix A)
- Restart computer
- Try different USB cable
No COM Port Available
- Cable is charge-only — switch to a data cable
- Driver missing — install CH340 driver
- USB port issue — try a different port
Upload Errors (avrdude, timeout)
- Wrong board selected → choose Arduino Uno
- Wrong port selected → recheck COM port
- Close other programs using the port
Board Powers On but Won't Connect
- Almost always a USB cable issue → switch to a known data cable
📋 About This Board
This is a third-party board compatible with Arduino Uno.
- Uses ATmega328P microcontroller
- Uses CH340 USB chip instead of the official Arduino USB interface
- Fully compatible with Arduino IDE, shields, and most tutorials
📊 Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Microcontroller | ATmega328P |
| USB-to-Serial Chip | CH340 |
| Operating Voltage | 5V |
| Clock Speed | 16 MHz |
| Recommended Input Voltage | 7–12V |
| Digital I/O Pins | 14 (6 PWM capable) |
| Analog Input Pins | 6 |
| Flash Memory | 32 KB (0.5 KB used by bootloader) |
| SRAM | 2 KB |
| EEPROM | 1 KB |
🎯 What to Do Next
Once your board is working, try:
- LED projects
- Sensors (temperature, light, motion)
- Motors and robotics
- Displays (LCD/OLED)
✅ Quick Recap
If something isn't working, check these first:
- CH340 driver installed
- Correct COM port selected
- USB cable supports data
These solve the vast majority of issues.
🏪 Where to Buy the Arduino Uno R3 Compatible Development Board
The Arduino Uno R3-compatible Microcontroller is available from Envistia Mall:
Buy the Arduino Uno R3 Compatible Development Board with USB Cable →
Buy the Arduino Uno R3 Compatible Development Board without USB Cable →
- 📦 Fast US Shipping
- 🔄 Hassle-Free Returns
- 📧 Responsive Customer Support
📚 Resources & Downloads
- Getting Started with Arduino: http://envistia.info/ardgetstarted
- Arduino IDE Download: Arduino Software (IDE)
- CH340G Windows Driver: CH341SER.EXE
- CH340G macOS Driver: CH341SER_MAC.ZIP
- Arduino Uno Documentation: Arduino Uno Docs
- ATmega328P Datasheet: Microchip/ATmel ATmega328P Datasheet (PDF)
💡 Tip: The CH340G USB drivers may need to be installed on your computer before using this board with the Arduino IDE. If the Arduino IDE cannot communicate with your board, it is likely because the CH340G driver is not installed. See Appendix A below for step-by-step instructions.
📄 Appendix A: How to Install the CH340G Driver on Your Windows Computer
The CH340 USB IC is made by WCH. You can find the latest version of their drivers on their English-translated website here:
http://www.wch-ic.com/downloads/CH341SER_ZIP.html
- Click the Download button on the WCH page to download the ch341ser.zip file to your computer
- Unzip (extract) the ch341ser.zip file
- Run the Setup application in the CH341SER folder of the unzipped file (see screenshot below)
Click the Uninstall button first to remove any old versions, then click the Install button.
CH340G Driver Verification for Windows
To verify that your CH340G driver is working, you should see a difference in the Windows Device Manager and Arduino IDE Ports after plugging the board into a USB port on your computer.
Device Manager
To check that the CH340 associates to a COM port, open the Windows Device Manager. You can click the Start or ⊞ (Windows) button and type "device manager" to search for the application.
After opening the Device Manager, open the Ports (COM & LPT) tree. The CH340 should show up as USB-SERIAL CH340 (COM##). Depending on your computer, the COM port may show up as a different number.
Arduino IDE
If you have the Arduino IDE installed, you should also see a change in the number of available COM Ports (you may need to restart the Arduino IDE for the board to populate). Without the CH340 connected to your computer, in the IDE click on Tools > Port. Take note of the Serial Ports available:
Connect the board with the CH340 to your computer's USB port. Click somewhere else on the screen for the menu to refresh itself. Then go back to Tools > Port. A new COM port should appear. By process of elimination, the CH340 should have associated to the new COM port. Select this COM port to connect the IDE to your board.
In the example shown in these two screenshots, the new board is associated to COM Port 3.
Sold and supported by Envistia Mall. Ships from the USA. This product is compatible with Arduino Unno but is not manufactured by or affiliated with Arduino. "Arduino" and "Uno" are trademarks of Arduino SA. The manufacturer and Envistia LLC (dba Envistia Mall) are not responsible for any damages or losses resulting from the use of this product. Always follow proper electrical safety practices when working with electronic components. Specifications are based on manufacturer data and are subject to change without notice.