OBD2 Driver Download: A Comprehensive Guide for ELM327 USB Scanners

Ensuring your ELM327 USB scanner is correctly set up on your Windows computer is crucial for effective car diagnostics. Without proper driver installation, your OBD2 software won’t be able to communicate with the scanner, leaving you unable to connect to your vehicle’s systems. This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough for installing ELM327 USB drivers on Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, and 11, ensuring a smooth start to your car diagnostic journey.

Step-by-Step Guide to Install ELM327 USB Drivers on Windows

Follow these instructions to install your ELM327 USB driver and get your OBD2 scanner ready for use.

1. Connect Your ELM327 USB Scanner: Begin by plugging your ELM327 USB cable into your laptop’s USB port. Allow Windows to initiate automatic driver installation.

2. Verify Driver Installation in Device Manager: To confirm if the drivers have been installed correctly, you need to access the Device Manager.

   • Search for “Device Manager” in the Windows search bar.
   • Open Device Manager and expand the “Ports (COM & LPT)” section.

3. Check for Yellow Exclamation Marks: Inspect the devices listed under “Ports (COM & LPT)“. Look for any yellow exclamation marks ( ) next to devices that might include:

   • USB-Serial CH340

   • FT232R USB UART Prolific

   • USB-to-Serial

   • USB Serial Port

   • USB2.0-Serial

   • Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge

   • Success! If you don’t see any yellow exclamation marks, 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.

   • Driver Issue Detected: If you see a yellow exclamation mark next to any of the listed devices, it indicates a driver problem. Follow the steps below to download and install the necessary drivers.

Download and Install ELM327 USB Driver Packs

If you encounter a yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager, you need to manually install the drivers. We have compiled several driver packs to address compatibility with various ELM327 USB chips.

Start with Driver Pack 1:

DRIVER PACK 1 (CP210x Drivers) – Download Now

Steps to Install Driver Pack 1:

• For 64-bit Windows: Double-click on CP210xVCPInstaller_x64.
• For 32-bit Windows: Double-click on CP210xVCPInstaller_x86.
• After installation, restart your PC and re-check Device Manager for yellow marks. If the issue persists, proceed to Driver Pack 2.

If Driver Pack 1 doesn’t resolve the issue, try Driver Pack 2:

DRIVER PACK 2 (Prolific Drivers) – Download Now

Continue with Driver Pack 3, 4, and 5 if needed:

DRIVER PACK 3 (FTDI Drivers) – Download Now

DRIVER PACK 4 (CH340 Drivers) – Download Now

DRIVER PACK 5 (Prolific Windows 8 Drivers) – Download Now

Important Installation Steps for Driver Pack 5 (Prolific):

1. Move to Desktop: First, move the downloaded and unextracted folder to your Desktop. This is crucial for the “Install” option to appear in the next step.

2. Run Installation: Right-click on the “ser2pl” application (it has a gear icon) and select “Install”.

   Example of right-clicking “ser2pl” and choosing “Install” for Prolific driver installation on Windows 8.

3. Connect ELM327 and Check Device Manager: Connect your ELM327 cable to your laptop. Open Device Manager and navigate to “Ports (COM & LPT)”. You might still see a yellow mark next to “Prolific”.

4. Update Driver Software: Right-click on “Prolific” (or the device with the yellow mark) and select “Update Driver Software”.

5. Browse My Computer: Choose “Browse my computer for driver software”.

6. Let Me Pick: Select “Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer”.

7. Uncheck Compatible Hardware: Uncheck the box “Show compatible hardware“.

   Screenshot showing the “Show compatible hardware” checkbox unchecked in the driver selection window.

8. Select Driver Version: Choose “Prolific driver version 3.3.2.102” from the list.

9. Install: Click “Install”. The yellow triangle should disappear after successful installation.

If issues persist, try Driver Pack 6:

DRIVER PACK 6 (Total Car Diagnostics Driver Package) – Download Now

1. Download and Unextract: Download and unextract the Driver Pack 6 ZIP file.
2. Run InstallUSB: Double-click on “InstallUSB” to initiate the driver installation.
3. Connect Cable: Connect your ELM327 cable to your laptop. The yellow mark should now be resolved.

Advanced Driver Update Method

If the yellow mark persists even after trying Driver Pack 6, follow these advanced steps:

a) Right-click and Update: While your ELM327 cable is plugged in, right-click on the device with the yellow exclamation mark in Device Manager.
b) Update Driver Software: Select “Update Driver Software“.
c) Browse My Computer: Choose “Browse my computer for driver software“.
d) Browse to Driver Pack 6 Folder: Browse and select the folder where you unextracted Driver Pack 6. Ensure that “Include subfolders” is checked.
e) Next: Click “Next“.
f) Install Anyway: If you encounter a red warning message, select “Install this driver software anyway“.
g) Check for “Other Devices”: After successful installation, check if another yellow mark appears under “Other Devices”. It might be labeled as “Unknown Device” or “COMx”.

Example of a yellow mark appearing under “Other devices” after initial driver installation.

h) Repeat for “Unknown Device”: If you find a yellow mark under “Other Devices,” repeat steps a-f for this “Unknown Device” (or “COMx”).

Troubleshooting “Code 10 Error”

If you encounter a “Code 10 error” next to “Prolific USB-to-Serial” device even after attempting the driver installations, it indicates a specific issue. Click here for a dedicated fix for the Code 10 error.

Still Facing Issues?

If you’ve tried all the driver packs and troubleshooting steps, and the yellow mark persists, proceed to the Troubleshooting section below for further assistance.

How to Scan Your Car with OBD2 Software

Once the drivers are successfully installed, you are ready to use your ELM327 USB scanner with OBD2 software to diagnose your car.

Step-by-Step Car Scanning Guide:

1. Install OBD2 Software: Install your preferred OBD2 software. If you don’t have one, consider TOAD OBD software. Do not launch it yet.
2. Connect ELM327 to Car and Computer: Plug the ELM327 USB scanner into your computer and your car’s OBD port (usually located under the dashboard).
3. Turn Ignition ON: Insert your car key and turn the ignition to the “ON” position. This is the position where dashboard lights illuminate, but the engine is not started.
4. Launch OBD Software and Connect: Start your OBD diagnostic software. Click the “Connect” button within the software. It should automatically establish a connection with your vehicle.

Tip for Maximum Data: For comprehensive data reporting, start your car engine while scanning. You can safely drive with the ELM327 plugged in, but always prioritize road safety.

Troubleshooting ELM327 Connection Problems

Having trouble connecting to your car? Connection issues usually stem from two primary reasons:

1. OBD2 Compatibility: Your vehicle might not be OBD2 compatible. Check OBD2 compatibility here.
2. Random Issues: Other minor issues can often be resolved with the following troubleshooting steps.

Recommended Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Check ELM327 Functionality: Verify if your ELM327 scanner is working correctly. When plugged into a USB port, the lights on the ELM327 interface should flash initially, then settle to a single red power light. A defunct ELM327 might only show a red light without initial flashing.

2. Restart Computer: Restart your computer while keeping the ELM327 cable connected. Try connecting again after restarting.

3. Try Different USB Port: Plug the USB cable into a different USB port on your computer and attempt connection again.

4. Contact Support (For Customers): If the above steps fail and you are a Total Car Diagnostics customer, contact our support team for further assistance.

   To expedite support, follow these steps:

   Step 1: Access Device Manager:

   • Windows Vista/7/8/10/11: Control Panel » System » Device Manager
   • Windows XP: Control Panel » System » “Hardware” tab » Device Manager

   Step 2: Expand Ports and Other Devices: Expand “Ports (COM & LPT)” and “Other Devices“.
   Step 3: Take a Screenshot: Capture a screenshot of the Device Manager window showing the expanded sections. (Press “Print Screen” key and paste into a graphics program, or use your phone/camera).
   Step 4: Contact Support and Send Screenshot: Attach the screenshot when you contact our support team for efficient troubleshooting.

Free Software to Test ELM327 Connection

To quickly test if your ELM327 scanner and Windows installation are working correctly with your vehicle, use this free software:

EasyOBD Test Software:

Download EasyOBD – Download Now

Steps to Test with EasyOBD:

1. Install EasyOBD: Install the EasyOBD software but do not launch it yet.

2. Connect ELM327: Connect your ELM327 USB/Bluetooth scanner to your laptop and your car’s OBD port.

3. Turn Ignition ON: Turn your car ignition to the “ON” position (before starting the engine).

4. Launch EasyOBD: Start the EasyOBD software. It will attempt to connect automatically.

   • Success! If the first five lines in EasyOBD are GREEN, your ELM327 and Windows setup are 100% correctly installed. Consider upgrading to TOAD professional OBD software for advanced diagnostics.

   • Connection Failure: If any of the first five lines are RED, your OBD2 scanner is not working with your car. Consult a mechanic for further diagnosis of your vehicle.

This comprehensive guide should help you download and install the correct OBD2 drivers for your ELM327 USB scanner and troubleshoot common connection issues, enabling you to effectively diagnose your vehicle.