user29433: I've been tinkering with my new Arduino a bit and I was adding an LCD from the starter kit, using information from the eleventh project in the project book, "Crystal Ball." When I connect the Arduino to my computer, the LCD lights up, but no text is displayed on the screen.
Here are some screenshots of my connections:


Finally, here's the code that I uploaded to the Arduino:
#include <LiquidCrystal.h>

// Create this display with the pins that I wired
LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 2, 3, 4, 5);

void setup()
{
    // This is a 16x2 display
    lcd.begin(16, 2); 

    lcd.print("hello!");
}

void loop()
{
}

edit: Additionally, I tried adding a potentiometer to control the display, but to no avail. Below is the wiring for this (back pin goes to the third to last pin for the LCD).



user28569: Looking at your first picture it looks like you are wired on 12 and 13 not to 11 and 12 like your sketch specifies.
Double check your wiring against this : https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HelloWorld
Also take your multi-meter out and buzz your connections.

user29433: In the end, it turned out being a combination of what Andre's Answer suggested, as well as the "brightness" of the LCD. My potentiometer seems to have kind of a "stick" to it, meaning that to get the LCD to move to the value necessary, I had to crank the thing harder than normal, then it started displaying my text.

29433: <p>I've been tinkering with my new Arduino a bit and I was adding an LCD from the starter kit, using information from the eleventh project in the project book, "Crystal Ball." When I connect the Arduino to my computer, the LCD lights up, but no text is displayed on the screen.</p>

<p>Here are some screenshots of my connections:</p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/OgWeO.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/OgWeO.jpg" alt="Breadboard Connections"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/sRovu.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/sRovu.jpg" alt="Pin Connection Numbers"></a></p>

<p>Finally, here's the code that I uploaded to the Arduino:</p>

<pre><code>#include &lt;LiquidCrystal.h&gt;

// Create this display with the pins that I wired
LiquidCrystal lcd(12, 11, 2, 3, 4, 5);

void setup()
{
    // This is a 16x2 display
    lcd.begin(16, 2); 

    lcd.print("hello!");
}

void loop()
{
}
</code></pre>

<p>edit: Additionally, I tried adding a potentiometer to control the display, but to no avail. Below is the wiring for this (back pin goes to the third to last pin for the LCD).</p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/wGe5D.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/wGe5D.jpg" alt="Potentiometer Powering"></a></p>

<p><a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/RGYL0.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/RGYL0.jpg" alt="Potentiometer Connection to LCD"></a></p>
 28569: <p>Looking at your first picture it looks like you are wired on 12 and 13 not to 11 and 12 like your sketch specifies.</p>

<p>Double check your wiring against this : <a href="https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HelloWorld" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.arduino.cc/en/Tutorial/HelloWorld</a></p>

<p>Also take your multi-meter out and buzz your connections.</p>
 29433: <p>In the end, it turned out being a combination of what <a href="https://arduino.stackexchange.com/a/32708/29433">Andre's Answer</a> suggested, as well as the "brightness" of the LCD. My potentiometer seems to have kind of a "stick" to it, meaning that to get the LCD to move to the value necessary, I had to crank the thing harder than normal, then it started displaying my text.</p>
