Understanding how to properly install your OBD2 USB driver on Windows 10 is crucial for seamless car diagnostics. If you’re looking to use an ELM327 USB cable with your Windows 10 computer to run OBD2 software and communicate with your vehicle, this guide is for you. Incorrectly installed drivers can prevent your OBD software from recognizing the cable, hindering your ability to diagnose your car. This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step, ensuring a smooth installation process and getting you ready to scan your vehicle.
To ensure your ELM327 USB scanner works flawlessly with your OBD2 software and car, proper driver installation is key. Let’s dive into how to install your OBD2 USB driver on Windows 10.
Step-by-Step Guide to Install OBD2 USB Drivers on Windows 10
The following instructions are compatible with Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, and 11.
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Initial Driver Installation:
Begin by connecting your ELM327 USB cable to your Windows 10 laptop or desktop. Allow Windows to attempt automatic driver installation.
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Check Driver Installation via Device Manager:
To verify if the drivers were installed correctly, you need to access the Device Manager.
- In the Windows search bar, type “Device Manager” and open it.
- Expand the “Ports (COM & LPT)” section.
Examine the devices listed under “Ports (COM & LPT)”. You should look for entries like “USB-Serial CH340”, “FT232R USB UART”, “USB-to-Serial”, “USB Serial Port”, “USB2.0-Serial”, or “Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge”.
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Successful Installation: If none of these devices display a yellow exclamation mark ( indicating a problem, congratulations! Your drivers are likely installed correctly, and you can proceed to connect to your car. Click here to learn how to connect to your car.
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Unsuccessful Installation (Yellow Exclamation Mark): If you see a yellow exclamation mark next to any of the listed devices, it signifies a driver issue. Follow the steps below to manually install the drivers using driver packs.
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Manual Driver Installation using Driver Packs:
If automatic installation fails (indicated by yellow exclamation marks in Device Manager), you’ll need to manually install the drivers. We’ve compiled several driver packs to assist you. Follow these steps sequentially:
Driver Pack 1: Download Driver Pack 1
- After downloading, restart your PC and check Device Manager again for yellow marks. If the issue persists, proceed to Driver Pack 2.
Steps to Install Driver Pack 1:
- For 64-bit Windows, run: CP210xVCPInstaller_x64
- For 32-bit Windows, run: CP210xVCPInstaller_x86
Driver Pack 2: Download Driver Pack 2
Driver Pack 3: Download Driver Pack 3
Driver Pack 4: Download Driver Pack 4
Driver Pack 5 (Important for Prolific Drivers): Download Driver Pack 5
Crucial Steps for Driver Pack 5 Installation:
- Move to Desktop: Before extracting, move the downloaded ZIP folder to your Desktop. This is essential for the “Install” option to appear in the next step.
- Run Installation: Right-click on the “ser2pl” file (it has a gear icon) within the extracted folder and select “Install” as shown below.
Example of right-clicking ‘ser2pl’ and selecting ‘Install’ for Prolific driver installation.
- Connect ELM327 and Check Device Manager: Connect your ELM327 cable to your laptop. Open Device Manager and navigate to “Ports (COM & LPT)”. You will likely see a yellow mark next to “Prolific”.
- Update Driver Software: Right-click on “Prolific” with the yellow mark and select “Update Driver Software”.
- Browse My Computer: Choose “Browse my computer for driver software”.
- Let me pick: Select “Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer”.
- Uncheck Compatibility: Uncheck “Show compatible hardware“.
Example of unchecking ‘Show compatible hardware’ in driver selection. - Select Driver Version: Choose “Prolific driver version 3.3.2.102”.
- Install: Click “Install”. The yellow mark should disappear after successful installation.
Driver Pack 6: Download Driver Pack 6
- Download and Extract: Download and extract the Driver Pack 6 ZIP file.
- Run Installer: Double-click “InstallUSB” to initiate the installation.
- Connect Cable: Connect your ELM327 cable to your laptop. The yellow mark should now be resolved.
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Alternative Manual Driver Update:
If the yellow mark persists even after trying Driver Pack 6, follow these steps:
a) Update Driver Software: With the ELM327 cable plugged in and the device with the yellow mark selected in Device Manager, right-click and choose “Update Driver Software”.
b) Browse My Computer: Select “Browse my computer for driver software”.
c) Browse to Driver Pack 6 Folder: Click “Browse” and navigate to the folder where you extracted Driver Pack 6. Ensure “Include subfolders” is checked.
d) Next: Click “Next”.
e) Install Anyway: If a red warning appears, select “Install this driver software anyway“.
f) Check for “Other Devices”: After successful installation, check Device Manager again. A new yellow mark might appear under “Other Devices”, possibly labeled “Unknown Device” or “COMx”.
g) Repeat for “Unknown Device”: If you find a yellow mark in “Other Devices”, repeat steps a-f for this “Unknown Device”. -
Addressing Code 10 Errors:
If you encounter a “Code 10 error” next to “Prolific USB-to-Serial” in Device Manager , it usually indicates a more specific driver conflict. Click here for a dedicated guide to fix Code 10 errors.
If the “Code 10 error” fix doesn’t resolve the yellow mark issue, proceed to the troubleshooting section below.
Verifying Successful OBD2 USB Driver Installation
After installing the drivers, it’s important to verify that your ELM327 USB adapter is correctly set up and communicating with your Windows 10 system.
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Re-check Device Manager:
Return to Device Manager and expand “Ports (COM & LPT)”. Ensure that there are no yellow exclamation marks next to your USB serial device. This indicates that Windows recognizes the device and the drivers are properly installed.
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Test with OBD2 Diagnostic Software:
To confirm full functionality, use OBD2 diagnostic software.
Steps to Test with EasyOBD (Free Software):
a) Install EasyOBD: Download and install EasyOBD. Do not launch it yet.
b) Connect ELM327: Connect your ELM327 USB cable to your laptop and your car’s OBD2 port.
c) Turn Ignition ON: Turn your car’s ignition to the “ON” position (just before starting the engine, where dashboard lights are illuminated).
d) Launch EasyOBD: Start EasyOBD software. It should automatically attempt to connect to your adapter and car.- Successful Test (Green Lines): If the first five lines in EasyOBD are GREEN , your ELM327 USB adapter and Windows 10 driver installation are successful. You are now ready to use more advanced OBD2 software.
- Unsuccessful Test (Red Lines): If any of the first five lines are RED , it indicates a problem with the connection or driver installation. Revisit the driver installation steps or check the troubleshooting section below.
Troubleshooting Common OBD2 USB Connection Issues
If you are still facing issues connecting your ELM327 USB scanner after driver installation, consider these common solutions:
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Verify ELM327 Functionality:
Ensure your ELM327 adapter is working correctly. When you plug the USB cable into your computer, the lights on the ELM327 device should flash briefly, then typically settle to a single red power light.
- Defunct ELM327 Indicator: If the lights do not flash initially and only the red light is constantly on, the ELM327 interface might be faulty.
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Restart Your Computer:
Sometimes a simple restart can resolve connection issues. Leave the ELM327 cable connected during the restart and try again.
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Try Different USB Ports:
USB port issues can sometimes cause connectivity problems. Unplug the ELM327 cable and try plugging it into a different USB port on your computer.
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Seek Expert Support (for Total Car Diagnostics Customers):
If none of the above steps work and you are a Total Car Diagnostics customer, contact their support team for further assistance.
Steps to Get Support:
a) Connect ELM327 to Laptop: Plug the ELM327 USB cable into your laptop (no need to connect to the car for this step).
b) Open Device Manager: Go to Device Manager as described earlier.
c) Expand Ports & Other Devices: Expand “Ports (COM & LPT)” and “Other Devices“.
d) Take a Screenshot: Capture a screenshot of the Device Manager window showing these expanded sections.
e) Contact Support: Contact Total Car Diagnostics Support and attach the screenshot. Their team can provide tailored troubleshooting based on your device status.
By following this comprehensive guide, you should be able to successfully install your OBD2 USB drivers on Windows 10 and start diagnosing your vehicle. Remember to proceed methodically through each step, and don’t hesitate to seek support if needed.
Go back to step 2 to check driver installation
Go back to driver pack download links
