PL2303 issues (Prolific USB to Serial Drivers) Win 11
USB-to-Serial for console that works with Windows 11?
i need to install a usb serial convertor driver , can someone please tell me how ?
USB to serial converter for Windows 11
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Need some recommendations from fellow Network Engineers who have already dealt with this. Our org recently updated to Windows 11 and it killed our ability to use our USB to Serial adapters because of Windows core isolation/memory integrity settings. Our domain admins have given up trying to disable memory integrity for us so now it's on me to figure out a viable alternative for our console connections, and I really don't feel like rolling the dice on random purchases.
Anyone have a recommendation for a USB-to-Serial adapter that will work when Windows 11 Core Isolation security settings are all turned on? It really needs to be a legit serial connection on the adapter too because most of our network infrastructure doesn't have native USB console ports and also we are doing Serial over Ethernet in a few places and those require native serial on both sides.
Thanks in advance :)
Hi Gordon,
Thank you for sharing your question. I get why it's important to get that USB serial converter up and running, and I'm here to help you out. Based on my knowledge this problem usually happens because Windows either doesn't install the right driver on its own, or the device actually needs a driver from the maker.
So, to fix it, plug the USB serial converter into your computer. If Windows doesn't install the driver automatically, open Device Manager by pressing the Windows key + X, then pick Device Manager. Check under Ports (COM & LPT) or Other Devices to find your converter. Right-click on the device and click Update Driver. Then, pick Search automatically for drivers. If Windows can't find one, get the correct driver from the maker's website FTDI and Prolific are common chipsets. After you download it, pick Browse my computer for drivers and show it the folder where you saved the driver files. After it's installed, restart your PC and make sure the device shows up under Ports (COM & LPT) with a COM port number.
May I also ask have you already looked to see if the device shows up in Device Manager? Also, do you know what kind of chipset it uses (FTDI, Prolific, or CH340)? Knowing this will help us make sure we get the right driver.
I hope this answer is helpful, if you have any questions, feel free to reply.
Best Regards,
Noel
To install a USB serial converter driver, you typically need to ensure that the appropriate driver is loaded for your device. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Automatic Installation: If your USB serial converter is a standard device class that is included in Windows, the driver (Usbser.sys) should install automatically when you connect the device. Windows uses the compatible ID to load the driver from the system.
- Check Device Manager: If the driver does not install automatically:
- Open Device Manager on your computer.
- Look for your USB serial converter under Ports (COM & LPT) or Other Devices.
- Right-click on the device and select Update Driver Software.
- Manual Installation: If Windows cannot find the driver:
- You may need to download the driver from the manufacturer’s website or use a custom INF file if your device requires a specific driver.
- If your device specifies class code 02 and subclass code 02, it should load Usbser.sys automatically. If it has a different subclass code, you might need to provide a custom INF file to specify the driver.
- Using INF Files: If you have a custom driver:
- Create an INF file that references the driver and includes the hardware ID of your device.
- Use the Add New Hardware Wizard to install the driver manually by pointing it to the location of your INF file.
- Restart Your Computer: After installation, you may need to restart your computer to complete the installation process.
If you encounter issues, ensure that you have the latest updates installed on your machine by visiting Windows Update regularly.