# Pocket AVR Programmer - Not connecting with the Arduino IDE **URL:** \ **Category:** Development Tools\ **Created:** [July 30, 2024, 2:41am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/pocket-avr-programmer-not-connecting-with-the-arduino-ide/59661 "2024-07-30T02:41:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Papa\_Don](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/papa_don/32/6241_2.png) [@Papa\_Don](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/Papa_Don)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2024, 2:41am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/pocket-avr-programmer-not-connecting-with-the-arduino-ide/59661/1 "2024-07-30T02:41:47Z")
Hi group. I’ve recently purchased the Sparkfun Pocket AVR Programmer to connect to the ATmega328P-PU. I found a schematic at All About Circuits ([https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/projects/breadboarding-and-programming-the-atmega328p-and-attiny45-in-atmel-studio-7/](https://www.allaboutcircuits.com/projects/breadboarding-and-programming-the-atmega328p-and-attiny45-in-atmel-studio-7/)) that shows how to connect to the MCU. I’ve attempted this with no success. I did download and install the appropriate driver for the product. Am I missing some additional hardware that is needed? Is there a better way to connect to the MCU such that I can begin programming it? I should share that this is my second attempt at programming. I’ve also purchased an Adafruit ItsyBitsy 32u4 3.3V controller. I was successful in programming this. However I’d prefer to use the Atmega328P as a standalone MCU which will be built in to my project. If you have some thoughts as to what I need to look for, to test or do to make the appropriate connects, please don’t hesitate to share. I appreciate any assistance anyone can give. ---
**Author:** ![TS-Russell](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/ts-russell/32/6092_2.png) [@TS-Russell](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/TS-Russell)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2024, 10:50pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/pocket-avr-programmer-not-connecting-with-the-arduino-ide/59661/2 "2024-07-30T22:50:42Z")
That programmer uses a _ATtiny2313_, is that what you have selected? Otherwise, let me offer some suggestions and things to check: 1. Connections: 2. Additional hardware: 3. Programmer settings: 4. Testing the connection: 5. Alternative setup: ---
**Author:** ![Gmaleb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/41988e/32.png) [@Gmaleb](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/Gmaleb)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 12:44am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/pocket-avr-programmer-not-connecting-with-the-arduino-ide/59661/3 "2025-07-29T00:44:43Z")
Hey I seriously doubt this is the correct location for my comment…If if is I apologize, this is my first attempt on the message board and I looked all over for an answer to my question and looked also for some "directions/guidelines on how to use this system. My question is I have a sparkfun AVR pocket programmer and it was loaded on another laptop that has died. I have a new laptop windoes 11 and cannot locate the drivers for the programmer board. Can someone please advise? I did look at Github and saw numerous files however I was not sure which ones nor how to install them. Lastly can anyone point me in a direction for the guidelines/directions on use for this system. Thanks in advance ---
**Author:** ![TS-Russell](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/sparkfun/user_avatar/community.sparkfun.com/ts-russell/32/6092_2.png) [@TS-Russell](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/TS-Russell)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2025, 5:43am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/pocket-avr-programmer-not-connecting-with-the-arduino-ide/59661/4 "2025-07-31T05:43:56Z")
[Pocket\_AVR\_Programmer/Drivers at master · sparkfun/Pocket\_AVR\_Programmer · GitHub](https://github.com/sparkfun/Pocket_AVR_Programmer/tree/master/Drivers) and [Pocket AVR Programmer Hookup Guide - SparkFun Learn](https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/pocket-avr-programmer-hookup-guide#installing-drivers) 🙂 These don’t mentions win11, let me know if it doesn’t work!