I'm trying to program an ATTiny85 via Atmel-ICE and debugWire from AS7, but I get an error:
My devices seem to be set up correctly:
What might be causing this? Thanks.
Is there a capacitor on the reset pin?
Please check the wiring as persistent as possible.
Please upload the schematics if possible.
Which version of Studio do you have? We've just released 7.0.1931, https://www.avrfreaks.net/forum/atmel-studio-701931.
js 
I'm trying to program an ATTiny85 via Atmel-ICE and debugWire from AS7
Debug wire is NOT for programming but for debugging. If you are in debug mode already then you can't program using ISP until you EXIT debug.
> Is there a capacitor on the reset pin?
There's a provision for a capacitor on the reset pin, put it's currently unpopulated.
> Please check the wiring as persistent as possible.
I'm not sure what you mean here, but I've verified there's 5V on the programming header, and the ICE confirms this with its green LED.
> Please upload the schematics if possible.
Below:
Which version of Studio do you have? We've just released 7.0.1931, https://www.avrfreaks.net/forum/atmel-studio-701931.
7.0.1645. Is my problem an issue in the version I have?
I'm trying to program an ATTiny85 via Atmel-ICE and debugWire from AS7
Debug wire is NOT for programming but for debugging. If you are in debug mode already then you can't program using ISP until you EXIT debug.
Good point. I was never able to enter debug mode to begin with, so I don't think I'm in it now. I get the same error if I switch the interface back to ISP, fwiw.
awneil 
so reliability is an option ?!
so reliability is an option ?!
Sub-optimal wording. Just a reminder to myself to keep it off during debug, and to put it in if I'm seeing reliability issues.
Maybe I'm missing it, but I don't see a .1uf from vcc pin to gnd pin!
Has this device ever entered programming mode?
Jim
Maybe I'm missing it, but I don't see a .1uf from vcc pin to gnd pin!
Has this device ever entered programming mode?
I realize I'm cutting a corner here, but I'm using the regulator's output capacitor as the MCU's bypass capacitor as they're both supposed to be .1 uf and the output cap is so close to the MCU. See below:
It may not be best practice, but I've made 160 of these things and haven't had a problem. Plus, when I try to connect to to a known good one of these boards, I get the same error from AS.
This board has never entered programming mode, but the known good board did, since it's programmed and still works. But I can't reprogram it due to this issue. I have the same issue with ImageCraft C, so I suspect there's a problem with my Win10 system, rather than the IDE. I've also swapped out ICE pods, to no effect.
js I was never able to enter debug mode to begin with, so I don't think I'm in it now
Don't need to guess, just try to start a debug session "Start debug and break". If it works than you have DW enabled, maybe accidentally.
I had missed the blue trace on the right side with VCC.
In the photo of the board, I'm not sure pin 1 is soldered to the pad, I see solder on the pin but can not tell if it flows to the pad from that angle.
If so that would prevent programming!
A little no-clean flux and some hot air will clean up those solder joints and make it look very nice.
Jim
I was never able to enter debug mode to begin with, so I don't think I'm in it now
Don't need to guess, just try to start a debug session "Start debug and break". If it works than you have DW enabled, maybe accidentally.
I've tried. I get this error:
In the photo of the board, I'm not sure pin 1 is soldered to the pad, I see solder on the pin but can not tell if it flows to the pad from that angle.
If so that would prevent programming!
I'm so ashamed! That was it. Thanks everyone, but especially Jim. I normally reflow these things, but didn't want to "bother" with just this one (a new variation). Live and learn.
Karl
js I have had that happen to me with an OLDER version of the ICE that does not run well above 1MHz clock and Studio defaults to 4MHz I think.
Reducing the clock to 1 MHz allow me to use the ICE all day.
I received the exact same error message as shown at the top of this topic. I am trying to program a simple LED blink program on an Atmega168 20PU using ICE (for the first time). The interface is set to ISP (not the debugger). The ISP clock is 125 kHz (default) and I also tried 1 MHz. I am using Windows 10 with Studio 7.0. All connections have been triple checked. By the way, I am new to this so I hope you don't go over my head. I have not programmed a microcontroller before. If anything, this might help the problem from lautman as an independent test.
I have one 0.1microfarad ceramic capacitor connecting point 7 (Vcc) to ground. The tutorial I am following does not have a capacitor for the reset pin, but I added one 0.1 microfarad after reading the comments above and got the same message. Then added another to the other Vcc (20).
The message includes checking the target power. I am using a 9 v battery connected to a 5v regulator and checked that there is 5 v out with a multimeter.
I just tried "start debugging and break" and received the following message:
isp on Atmel-ICE (J41800092799) does not support debugging. Device is only programmed. Use Start without Debugging to avoid this message.
I don't know what "DW" in one of the posts above means.
I also tried swapping to an Atmega168A PU microcontroller.
I hope you can answer the original problem and mine (probably the same). My wife wants me back for the last waking hour for this weekend.
meolsen 
You cannot debug using ISP, only program. Of you want to debug, you need to change the interface to debugWire.
You cannot debug using ISP, only program. Of you want to debug, you need to change the interface to debugWire.
In my case, I thought I was just trying to program, but probably need to debug. Could you point me to the section in the ICE users guide for debugging. I can't determine what type of cable or connection I need. Taking the USB cable straight from ICE to the breadboard does not work.
meolsen If you're trying to program, click the program button instead of the debug button: https://www.microchip.com/webdoc/GUID-ECD8A826-B1DA-44FC-BE0B-5A53418A47BD/GUID-F5BB30A7-6857-42C7-88CA-2E4E5A93894D.html
.
debugWire: https://www.microchip.com/webdoc/GUID-DDB0017E-84E3-4E77-AAE9-7AC4290E5E8B/GUID-57FED984-E0B7-469A-AD5A-D7DAA973E9C0.html
js Taking the USB cable straight from ICE to the breadboard does not work.
WHAT??
