16x2 RBG i2c Shield not working

[dvbellamy]

Hi, I assembled my i2c 16x2 RGB LCD shield last night. I have some experience of soldering, but I'm not 100% confident yet.
I put it all together and plugged it into my Arduino Uno (R3 if that makes a difference), then I downloaded the example code from here (Adafruit RGB LCD Shield Library), and uploaded the "Hello World" example to the board.
Unfortunately it doesn't work. If I turn the contrast all the way to the left, I get a few white boxes in the top row of the LCD, but no text.
Help! What did I do wrong?
I've attached some photos below...
Thanks

20171114_182138.jpg (99.25 KiB) Viewed 2213 times

Soldering...

20171114_181729.jpg (89.71 KiB) Viewed 2213 times

Soldering...

20171114_181745.jpg (90.98 KiB) Viewed 2213 times

[dvbellamy]

Bump... anyone?

[adafruit_support_bill]

Please post a photo showing the back of the shield. Also, try running the i2c scanner and post the results here.

https://playground.arduino.cc/Main/I2cScanner

[dvbellamy]

Thanks, yeah I took one, but could only upload 3 photos. I should have posted again.
I'm going to have to Google the i2c scanner to find out what to do so bear with me on that.
Thanks
Edited: Now I see you provided a link, thank you. Give me a while, might be off out shortly.

Back of shield

20171114_181757.jpg (101.49 KiB) Viewed 2177 times

[Franklin97355]

It looks like some of your solder connections are not well made and the solder hasn't flowed between the pin and the pad. Try reflowing the connections and see if that helps.

[dvbellamy]

Thanks Franklin. I've just reflowed everything, and checked it over and over again. I've done some continuity tests on the buttons and resistors (I don't know how to check the chip), and it still doesn't work.
I tried the i2c scanner and it keeps repeating "No I2C devices found".
I'm about ready to dump it and chalk it up to bad experience.

[adafruit_support_bill]

There are only a few critical pins necessary for operation, and the solder on those looks OK.

Did you run the i2c scanner? https://playground.arduino.cc/Main/I2cScanner
What were the results.

[dvbellamy]

Sorry I was editing my post above as you posted.
"No I2C devices found" repeated over and over again.

[adafruit_support_bill]

Sounds like the GPIO expander chip is not responding. Please contact [email protected] with a link to this thread and we can send a replacement kit.

[dvbellamy]

Wow. That's what I call fantastic customer support.
Thank you.