How to Bootload Arduino | Arduino Bootloader Tutorial

How to Bootload Arduino | Arduino Bootloader Tutorial

How to Burn Arduino Bootloader – Step-by-Step Guide

If your Arduino board isn’t uploading code or behaving strangely, it may be due to a corrupted or missing bootloader. The bootloader is a small piece of firmware that allows the Arduino to accept new code via USB. In this article, we’ll walk you through how to burn the Arduino bootloader using another Arduino as an ISP (In-System Programmer).

What is an Arduino Bootloader?

The bootloader is pre-installed on most official Arduino boards. It helps the board understand and execute the code uploaded from the Arduino IDE. If the bootloader is accidentally erased or corrupted (such as during power failures, wrong uploads, or clone board issues), your board may stop working or fail to upload new sketches.

Burning the bootloader resets the chip and prepares it to accept code again.

Components Required

To burn the bootloader, you’ll need:

Two Arduino boards (e.g., Arduino UNO ×2)

• Two Arduino boards (e.g., Arduino UNO ×2)

Jumper wires

• Jumper wires

Arduino IDE installed on your computer

• Arduino IDE installed on your computer

Circuit Connections

You need to connect one Arduino as the programmer (master) and the other as the target (slave). Make the following connections between the two Arduino boards:

Arduino as ISP

Target Arduino

D10

RESET

D11

D11

D12

D12

D13

D13

GND

GND

5V

5V

Make sure both boards are powered via USB or 5V pin.

Step-by-Step Process

1. Upload “ArduinoISP” Sketch

Open Arduino IDE.

• Open Arduino IDE.

Go to File > Examples > 11.ArduinoISP > ArduinoISP.

• Go to File > Examples > 11.ArduinoISP > ArduinoISP.

Select the board connected to your computer (e.g., “Arduino UNO”).

• Select the board connected to your computer (e.g., “Arduino UNO”).

Choose the correct port and upload the sketch.

• Choose the correct port and upload the sketch.

2. Choose the Right Programmer

Once uploaded, go to Tools > Programmer > Arduino as ISP.

• Once uploaded, go to Tools > Programmer > Arduino as ISP.

3. Select Target Board

Under Tools > Board, choose the type of Arduino board you’re burning the bootloader to (e.g., Arduino UNO).

• Under Tools > Board, choose the type of Arduino board you’re burning the bootloader to (e.g., Arduino UNO).

4. Burn the Bootloader

Now, go to Tools > Burn Bootloader.

• Now, go to Tools > Burn Bootloader.

It will take a few seconds.

• It will take a few seconds.

If everything is connected correctly, you will see “Done burning bootloader” in the IDE.

• If everything is connected correctly, you will see “Done burning bootloader” in the IDE.

Common Issues and Fixes

Incorrect wiring: Double-check jumper wire connections.

• Incorrect wiring: Double-check jumper wire connections.

Wrong board selection: Make sure the correct target board is selected before burning.

• Wrong board selection: Make sure the correct target board is selected before burning.

Missing ArduinoISP sketch: Ensure the ISP sketch is uploaded first to the master board.

• Missing ArduinoISP sketch: Ensure the ISP sketch is uploaded first to the master board.

Why Burn the Bootloader?

Fixes bricked or unresponsive Arduino boards.

• Fixes bricked or unresponsive Arduino boards.

Prepares a fresh ATmega328P chip to work with the Arduino IDE.

• Prepares a fresh ATmega328P chip to work with the Arduino IDE.

Allows you to build and program your own custom Arduino boards.

• Allows you to build and program your own custom Arduino boards.

Conclusion

Burning the Arduino bootloader is a simple and effective way to revive non-functional boards or prepare new microcontrollers. Using one Arduino as a programmer is cost-effective and beginner-friendly. With just a few jumper wires and the Arduino IDE, you can restore functionality and continue building your creative electronics projects.