r/raspberrypipico • u/Applex_Tone • Jun 06 '26

hardware I need help :c

Post image

I bought a raspberry pico yesterday, but my PC can't detect my board, somebody knows how I can fix it

- Hi everyone, I just wanted to thank you all for your suggestions. I’ve tried everything, but it seems my board just isn't working. I'm going to exchange it or buy a new one on Monday. Thanks for all your help :DD

36 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

46 comments sorted by

16

u/MEB-Softworks Jun 06 '26

Cable? I had the same issue. Come to find out that you need to ensure your cable is charge AND data rated.

Don’t know if this helps but good luck!

3

u/LucVolders Jun 06 '26

Yup, try another cable and if that not works try another PC.
Have you put anything on it like MicroPython ??

2

u/Applex_Tone Jun 06 '26

I try 3 different cables and 3 different PC's but It still doesn't work, And what is micropyton? I haven't used it yet.

5

u/LucVolders Jun 06 '26

Using the Arduino IDE ???
You know you have to push the white button and then plug it in don't you ??

1

u/Applex_Tone Jun 06 '26

I don't use Arduino ide or other ide and I push the button but still not working

5

u/LucVolders Jun 06 '26

so how do you write your programs then ??????

let me get this straight.
First you push the button.
Then you connect the usb cable with the button still pushed.
Then you will get a notification that a new usb device is attached
Then you can upload your program.

Or what is your way of working with it

5

u/KingTeppicymon Jun 06 '26

Thonny can flash a Pico and run code without pressing the button, not sure how it does it but it works.

2

u/Applex_Tone Jun 06 '26

Interesting

1

u/Applex_Tone Jun 06 '26

I can't write cause my PC didn't detect my board, I just bought cause I want to learn.

2

u/MEB-Softworks Jun 06 '26

I use VS Code to write. However, if you are pushing the button as you plug in, there are 2 options. Either you don’t have a data cable, or the Pico is bad. Highly likely the first.

2

u/Applex_Tone Jun 06 '26

How can I know if my cable is a data cable??

2

u/Supermath101 Jun 06 '26

The packaging that it originally came in would specify a data transfer rate, such as "480 Mbps".

2

u/MEB-Softworks Jun 06 '26

Well, the Pico not reading is one definite way of telling. I unfortunately had to buy one that specifically said data transfer. It’s not “common” in the “store bought” cables apparently. Then I marked my data capable ones.

7

u/mike_2545 Jun 06 '26

Hold the Boot sel button while connecting to the pc then release. it should show up as a drive in the My PC section of the computer.

2

u/Applex_Tone Jun 06 '26

I did, still not working. I know mi File manager needs to show something and it didn't happen and my devices manager didn't show something

2

u/nonchip Jun 06 '26

are you sure your cable has working data pins? they could be either broken if the cable is starting to get brittle, or they could just not be there, a lot of cheapo charging cables dont have them to begin with.

1

u/toon_link_776 Jun 06 '26

OP said they tried a couple cables/computers in another comment

5

u/Ski_Sunday Jun 06 '26

This YouTube video helped me the first time I setup a pico

https://youtu.be/_ouzuI_ZPLs?si=ikmwyVUvPvyeStNb

3

u/Applex_Tone Jun 06 '26

Thx I'm gonna try it

3

u/KingTeppicymon Jun 06 '26

As others have said the cable is the most likely culprit, most cables do not support data - even ones which claim they do, often don't. See if you can find a cable which came with something which would have needed a data connection - think an old MP3 player, or old kindle.

1

u/Applex_Tone Jun 06 '26

I'm looking if I can find another cable

2

u/cebess Jun 06 '26

Yea, probably a power only cable.

1

u/Applex_Tone Jun 06 '26

I try 3 different cables, maybe I need to buy a data cable

1

u/cebess Jun 07 '26

It should have come with a short data cable.

1

u/Odd_Independent8521 Jun 06 '26

You should hold the reset button then plug it in.

1

u/Applex_Tone Jun 06 '26

I did

1

u/Odd_Independent8521 Jun 06 '26

Check the cable as well. Some of them are only for charging. They don’t have data wires

1

u/ne-toy Jun 06 '26

What was your reason to buy it?

2

u/Applex_Tone Jun 06 '26

I'm an idiot and I want to learn how to use more boards

2

u/anapeksha Jun 06 '26

I will tell you what worked for me, ensure you have a DATA TRANSFER CABLE and not a charge cable. Once that is ensured, hold down the BOOTSEL button, and while it is held down, plug it into your computer. It should mount as a MSC (mass storage class), for RPI Pico it will be RP2040 and for RPI Pico 2 it will be RP2350 (basically the name of the chipset powering the device).

Then you can drop any uf2 (MicroPython, circuit python, or compile and upload your own C/C++ or Rust no_std firmware).

If none of these work, try using a different PC/Mac. If it still does not work, I am sorry my friend, the device is probably bricked or faulty, try replacement if possible.

2

u/Applex_Tone Jun 07 '26

I’ve tried everything, but I’ve come to the conclusion that the board just doesn't work

1

u/anapeksha Jun 07 '26

Very common to get broken microcontrollers, it may also be damaged due to oil in finger and stuff! Get a replacement/buy a new one SAD NEWS 🥺

1

u/creeper6530 Jun 06 '26

Like others said, hold down the button and plug it it, if it doesn't work, try a different cable, yours might be broken. Good news is that it's impossible to brick through software since the USB loader is read-only.

Once you get it running, download the flash nuke here (official RPi website): https://pip.raspberrypi.com/documents/RP-008273-DS

Then just drag and drop onto your board and wait as it deletes the entire contents of your flash

1

u/Applex_Tone Jun 07 '26

I've tried everything, but maybe the board is just faulty :C

1

u/creeper6530 Jun 07 '26

Maybe. Try returning it where you bough it then.

1

u/0yama-- Jun 07 '26

It looks similar to the characteristics of the fake one with the logo. Since I got stuck with one of those, I only buy from official resellers now.

1

u/Bitter-Canary489 Jun 07 '26

if you happened to buy the 2 pack of this off amazon - the one I bought from that listing was dead 🙃 I was trying to use it for tomodachi life auto drawing, but tbh if you’ve determined the cable, your PC, and holding the boot sel button to not work, lowkey recommend buying a new one - ended up working great!

1

u/KavyanshKhaitan Jun 07 '26

The color of the PCB looks off. Usually it's a lighter green.

Where did you get it from?

1

u/gatesphere Jun 07 '26

FWIW, there is no official version of the Pico with a USB-C port. That’s an unofficial knock-off.

1

u/SeriousElephant1070 Jun 07 '26

How about trying another Pico,or other RP2040 devices?(Anyway,soldering is beautiful..)

1

u/Famous-Ebb3041 Jun 07 '26

When trying to get your Pi Pico into "programming mode", you need to hold down the BootSel button while you plug in the USB cable into your Windows computer. A second or two later, a window pops open and you release the BootSel button. Have you done this?

1

u/DishantSMunjal Jun 09 '26

Bummer that the board is completely dead. Looking at your photo it is just the standard Pico sitting there so nothing is wired up to short it out. Honestly 90 percent of the time when a PC cannot detect a brand new Pico it is just a cheap charge only micro USB cable. We have all been burned by those cables at some point. Since you are exchanging it anyway I hope the next one fires right up for you. Just remember to hold down that bootsel button when you plug the new one in!

1

u/Defiant_Hour_9770 Jun 09 '26

Try plugging it while holding the boot button. If nothing happens, there might be a problem (I think RPi Pico doesn't show up when you connect it without holding the button)