How to Find the I2C Address of an LCD and Display Text Using Arduino

Interfacing an LCD with Arduino using I2C simplifies wiring and saves pin usage. In this tutorial, we'll guide you through finding the I2C address of your LCD and displaying text on it. Let's get started!

Step 1: Gather Your Components

- Arduino board (e.g., Uno, Nano)

- I2C LCD (with an I2C backpack)

- Jumper wires

- Breadboard (optional)

Step 2: Connect the LCD to the Arduino

1. Connect the I2C LCD to the Arduino:

- GND to GND

- VCC to 5V

- SDA to A4 (Uno/Nano) or SDA pin

- SCL to A5 (Uno/Nano) or SCL pin

Step 3: Install the Necessary Libraries

To interface with the I2C LCD, you'll need the LiquidCrystal_I2C library. Install it through the Arduino IDE:

1. Open Arduino IDE.

2. Go to Sketch > Include Library > Manage Libraries.

3. In the Library Manager, search for LiquidCrystal_I2C.

4. Install the library by Frank de Brabander.

Step 4: Find the I2C Address

To find the I2C address of your LCD, upload the following I2C scanner code to your Arduino:

1. Open the Arduino IDE and copy the above code into a new sketch.

2. Connect your Arduino to your computer and upload the sketch.

3. Open the Serial Monitor (Tools > Serial Monitor) and set the baud rate to 9600.

4. The Serial Monitor will display the I2C address of your LCD (e.g., 0x27 or 0x3F).

Step 5: Display Text on the LCD

Now that you have the I2C address, you can display text on the LCD. Use the following code as a template:

1. Replace `0x3F` with the address you found using the I2C scanner.

2. Upload the code to your Arduino.

3. Your LCD should display "Hello, World!" on the first line and "I2C LCD Demo" on the second line.