arduino suddenly shows "avrdude: ser_open(): can't open device "\\.\COM3" after last upload

Question

I am using arduino uno to make a sound detector. I uploaded a program, found error in the code that it returns unintended numbers unreasonably big. I also think I used wrong code for the module, but it was connected in the way that can work properly with the proper code.

The code I uploaded was:

const int ledPin =13;
const int middleValue = 512;
const int numberOfSamples =128;

int sample;
long signal;
long averageReading;

long runningAverage = 0;
const int averagedOver = 16;

const int threshold=400;

void setup(){
    pinMode(ledPin, OUTPUT)
    Serial.begin(9600)
}

void loop(){
    long sumOfSquares = 0;
    for (int i=0; i<numberOfSamples; i++){
        sample = analogRead(0);
        signal = (sample - middleValue);
        signal *= signal;
        sumOfSquares += signal;
    }
    averageReading = sumOfSquares/numberOfSamples;
    runningAverage=(((averagedOver -1 )*runningAverage)+averageReading)/averagedOver;

    if(runningAverage>threshold){
        digitalWrite(ledPin, HIGH);
    }else{
        digitalWrite(ledPin, LOW);
    }
    Serial.println(runningAverage);
}

When the arduino suddenly stopped sending serial numbers, I pressed reset button and uploaded the default code:

void setup() {
}

void loop() {
}

but now it shows that it cannot connect to COM3 (arduino) and cant find the device, When I can see arduino uno successfully connected to PC using device manager (windows 8.1). The led light of arduino also turns on when I connect it to power source or usb.

it shows "port not found" when I click to see the serial output

Did I just fry Arduino? How should I fix this?

Also, i checked the led pin 13 blinking three times when i plug in the usb. I just cant upload anything

Answer 1

What worked for me:

Tools>Port>(your COM)

Just selecting that solved the error.