Arduino Clone Driver CH340 for Linux
Introduction
Many Arduino clones use the CH340 chip for serial communication. This chip provides a USB to serial interface and is widely used due to its low cost and easy availability. However, the CH340 driver is not included by default in Linux distributions. This means you'll need to install it manually to use your Arduino clone.
Installing the CH340 Driver
The easiest way to install the CH340 driver on Linux is using a package manager. Here are the steps for the most popular distributions:
Ubuntu/Debian:
- Open a terminal: Press Ctrl+Alt+T
- Update package lists: Run the following command:
sudo apt update - Install the driver: Run the following command:
sudo apt install libftdi-dev - Reboot your system: This is usually not necessary, but it's recommended for the driver to take effect.
Fedora/CentOS/RHEL:
- Open a terminal: Press Ctrl+Alt+T
- Update package lists: Run the following command:
sudo dnf update - Install the driver: Run the following command:
sudo dnf install libusb ftdi-tools - Reboot your system: This is usually not necessary, but it's recommended for the driver to take effect.
Arch Linux:
- Open a terminal: Press Ctrl+Alt+T
- Install the driver: Run the following command:
sudo pacman -S libusb ftdi-tools
Manual Installation:
If your distribution doesn't have the CH340 driver in its repositories, you can install it manually.
- Download the driver: You can find the driver files on the CH340 website. Make sure to download the driver for your Linux distribution.
- Extract the driver: Unzip the downloaded file.
- Install the driver: Follow the instructions provided in the driver package. This usually involves copying the driver files to the appropriate directory and running a script to install the driver.
Verifying the Driver Installation
After installing the driver, you can verify it's working by connecting your Arduino clone to your computer. You should see a new device appear in the device manager (for graphical environments) or the output of lsusb (for command line).
Troubleshooting
If you encounter issues with the driver, you can try the following:
- Check your device manager: Ensure the Arduino clone is detected as a USB Serial device.
- Reinstall the driver: Remove the current driver and reinstall it.
- Check the driver compatibility: Make sure the driver you're using is compatible with your Linux distribution and your Arduino clone.
- Search for online resources: There are many resources available online that can help you troubleshoot driver issues.
Conclusion
Installing the CH340 driver on Linux is a straightforward process. By following the steps above, you should be able to successfully install the driver and start using your Arduino clone. Remember to refer to your Linux distribution's documentation or search for online resources if you encounter any difficulties.