Arduino LCD display does not display text

Question

I'm using LCD for the first time and I'm unable to make it work. It lights the background but it does not show any text. I tried three times from the beginning, each time with a different tutorial, and none of the solutions worked. Is there any mistake in my wiring that I do not see?

Code:

#include <LiquidCrystal.h>


LiquidCrystal lcd(7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12);

void setup() {
  lcd.begin(16, 2);
  lcd.print("hello, world!");
}

void loop() {
  lcd.setCursor(0, 1);
  lcd.print(millis()/1000);
}

Here are the links to the tutorials I used:

• https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HelloWorld

• http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-use-an-LCD-displays-Arduino-Tutorial/

• https://learn.adafruit.com/adafruit-arduino-lesson-11-lcd-displays-1/breadboard-layout

I also attached a link to the picture with my wiring.

Answer 1

It's quite difficult to look for each wiring as all your cables are bent and twisted. From here I can see that the big yellow cable is meant to lead to the slider. You left the end of it on the left-hand-side of the breadboard, which is NOT connected to the right-hand side.

This means: Connect your red cable on the lower left side (in the column "H") to your slider in column "D", between the other two cables.

Answer 2

Maybe you just need to adjust contrast. I dont understand why you have tkat pot connected to + and - and center pin is left over. Also, get better wires. Connect that pot to contrast pins and try to adjust it.