# Serial enabled LCD kit (10097)

**URL:** <https://community.sparkfun.com/t/serial-enabled-lcd-kit-10097/68255>\
**Category:** Arduino\
**Created:** [March 7, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/serial-enabled-lcd-kit-10097/68255 "2026-03-07T23:53:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Justplanejim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cdc98d/32.png) [@Justplanejim](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/Justplanejim)\
**Post date:** [March 7, 2026, 11:53pm UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/serial-enabled-lcd-kit-10097/68255/1 "2026-03-07T23:53:43Z")

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HI, I am trying to figure out if my LED backlight has failed or if I did something wrong with my programming. I was working through some serial communication mistakes I had made, and when I updated the sketch one time, the back light went out. Now I cant seem to get it back on. I was under the impression the default setting was for the backlight is 100% on unless I turned it down.

I tried setting up another basic sketch after cycling power but the LED does not come on.  
Has anyone seen this before and know of anything else I can try?

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**Author:** ![Justplanejim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/cdc98d/32.png) [@Justplanejim](https://community.sparkfun.com/u/Justplanejim)\
**Post date:** [March 8, 2026, 12:24am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/serial-enabled-lcd-kit-10097/68255/2 "2026-03-08T00:24:40Z")

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Just an update. I jumped power through a 10K resistor to the base leg of the LED power transistor and the LED light up so I know the transistor circuit and the LED are good. I just need to figure out how to turn it back on with the LCD controller.

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**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:** [March 8, 2026, 8:31am UTC](https://community.sparkfun.com/t/serial-enabled-lcd-kit-10097/68255/3 "2026-03-08T08:31:24Z")

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Maybe try this? [Sparkfun Serial LCD Kit Bricked. (SOLVED... mostly) - Displays - Arduino Forum](https://forum.arduino.cc/t/sparkfun-serial-lcd-kit-bricked-solved-mostly/224597)

Just for reference  
[Datasheet](https://github.com/jimblom/Serial-LCD-Kit/wiki/Serial-Enabled-LCD-Kit-Datasheet)  
[Readme](https://github.com/jimblom/Serial-LCD-Kit)

You can also[jumper RX to GND on bootup](https://learn.sparkfun.com/tutorials/avr-based-serial-enabled-lcds-hookup-guide/all#hardware-overview)