Issues activating IRF540 MOSFET with Arduino Digital Pins

hello!

i'm working on electric drum kit project. i'm using 12 v, 0.91 linear solenoids striking. activated shown in circuit above.

i able irf540 mosfet activate attaching arduino uno's 5 v pin g-input of mosfet, digital pins of arduino not activate mosfet. have verified in program pins set output mode.

when 5 v pin connected mosfet's g-input, voltmeter reads 4.84 5 v pin ground.

when arduino digital pin connected mosfet's g-input, voltmeter reads 2.9 v. built-in led gets dimmer. placing 1 kohm resistor increases voltage drop 5 v, solenoid not actuate.

where did go wrong? have fried arduino or mosfet somehow? did buy wrong mosfet? missing diodes, etc. in circuit?

thanks

irf540
this not logic level mos fet, device needs gate turn on voltage of 10-12 volts.

use irl540 or similar.
you need common gnd going arduino.
you need kickback diode across the solenoid.

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