# Muscle SpikerShield Common issues

**URL:** <https://forum.backyardbrains.com/t/muscle-spikershield-common-issues/28>\
**Category:** Equipment\
**Created:** [February 1, 2023, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.backyardbrains.com/t/muscle-spikershield-common-issues/28 "2023-02-01T17:44:36Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Ivan](https://forum.backyardbrains.com/user_avatar/forum.backyardbrains.com/ivan/32/15_2.png) [@Ivan](https://forum.backyardbrains.com/u/Ivan)\
**Post date:** [February 1, 2023, 5:44pm UTC](https://forum.backyardbrains.com/t/muscle-spikershield-common-issues/28/1 "2023-02-01T17:44:36Z")

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By far the most common issue with the Muscle SpikerShield is that the pins are not making proper contact with the Arduino. This can cause a wide variety of problems and strange behavior.  
The first thing we should try is separating the SpikerShield and Arduino, and bending the pins slightly, [as seen in this video](https://photos.app.goo.gl/8RVNmLtoGAXuQYiv5).  
After that, make sure that the SpikerShield is pressed firmly into the Arduino board, and pull very slightly up.

Updating the Firmware can also be a good idea if you have an older model, and is also a good variable to eliminate when troubleshooting. You can find all of the firmware versions on [The Muscle SpikerShield Github Repository](https://github.com/BackyardBrains/Muscle-SpikerShield)

Check out this topic to see how to upload code onto an Arduino

> [@How to update the firmware on Arduino based devices](https://forum.backyardbrains.com/t/how-to-update-the-firmware-on-arduino-based-devices/29):
>
> Download the Arduino IDE at: [www.arduino.cc](https://backyardbrains.com/about/www.arduino.cc). Install and Open Arduino IDE Follow these steps to upload your sketch: Connect your Arduino using the USB cable. (The square end of the USB cable connects to your Arduino and the flat end connects to a USB port on your computer.) Upload code (copy and paste it to Arduino software.) How to upload a code: Once you start Arduino software, delete the old code that is already there, and paste the new code you previously copied. From the toolbar at th…