ELM327 OBD2 Driver Windows 10: Installation Guide for Car Diagnostics

Ensuring your ELM327 OBD2 scanner is correctly set up with the right drivers on your Windows 10 computer is crucial for effective car diagnostics. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough to install and troubleshoot ELM327 USB drivers, enabling seamless communication between your vehicle and OBD2 software. If the ELM327 USB isn’t properly configured, your diagnostic software won’t detect the interface, hindering your ability to read vehicle data.

To get started and ensure a smooth installation process, follow the steps outlined below.

Step-by-Step Guide to Install ELM327 OBD2 Driver on Windows 10

1. Connect Your ELM327 Scanner to Your Windows 10 PC

Begin by plugging your ELM327 USB scanner into an available USB port on your Windows 10 computer. In many cases, Windows will attempt to automatically install drivers. Allow this process to complete before proceeding to the next step.

2. Verify Driver Installation via Device Manager

To confirm whether the drivers have been installed correctly, you’ll need to access the Device Manager. Here’s how:

• Search for Device Manager: In the Windows search bar, type “Device Manager” and select it from the results.

• Expand Ports (COM & LPT): In the Device Manager window, look for and expand the “Ports (COM & LPT)” category.

• Check for Yellow Exclamation Marks: Examine the devices listed under “Ports (COM & LPT)”. You are looking for any devices with a yellow exclamation mark (!). Common device names associated with ELM327 adapters 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 do not see any yellow exclamation marks next to these devices, congratulations! Your ELM327 drivers are likely installed correctly, and you can proceed to connect to your car using OBD2 software.

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

3. Installing ELM327 OBD2 Drivers Manually

If automatic driver installation fails or you encounter yellow exclamation marks in Device Manager, you’ll need to manually install the drivers. We have compiled driver packs to help you with this process.

Driver Installation Packs:

We recommend trying these driver packs in the order listed. After installing each pack, restart your computer and check Device Manager for yellow exclamation marks again.

DRIVER PACK 1 (CP210x Drivers)

• For 64-bit Windows: Double-click “CP210xVCPInstaller_x64”.
• For 32-bit Windows: Double-click “CP210xVCPInstaller_x86”.

DRIVER PACK 2 (Prolific Drivers – Older Version)

DRIVER PACK 3 (FTDI Drivers)

DRIVER PACK 4 (CH340 Drivers)

DRIVER PACK 5 (Prolific Drivers – Specific Installation)

Important Steps for Driver Pack 5:

1. Move to Desktop: Download and move the unextracted folder to your Desktop.

2. Install: Right-click on “ser2pl” (icon with a gear) and select “Install”.

3. Connect ELM327 and Check Device Manager: Connect your ELM327 cable and open Device Manager.

4. Update Driver Software: Right-click on the “Prolific” 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 “Show compatible hardware”: Uncheck this option.

8. Select Driver Version 3.3.2.102: Choose “Prolific driver version 3.3.2.102” and proceed with the installation.

DRIVER PACK 6 (Total Car Diagnostics Driver Package)

1. Download and Unextract: Download and unextract the driver package.
2. Run Installer: Double-click “InstallUSB” to start the installation.
3. Connect ELM327: Connect your ELM327 cable to your laptop and check Device Manager.

Advanced Manual Driver Update:

If the yellow mark persists after trying Driver Packs 1-6, follow these steps for a more targeted approach:

a) Update Driver Software: Right-click on the device with the yellow mark and select “Update Driver Software”.
b) Browse My Computer: Choose “Browse my computer for driver software”.
c) Browse to Driver Pack 6: Select the folder where you unextracted Driver Pack 6.
d) Include Subfolders: Ensure “Include subfolders” is checked.
e) Next: Click “Next”.
f) Install Anyway: If you get a red warning, choose “Install this driver software anyway”.
g) Check for “Other Devices”: After successful installation, check if a yellow mark appears under “Other Devices” (e.g., “Unknown Device” or “COMx”).

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

Troubleshooting Common ELM327 Driver Issues on Windows 10

“Code 10 Error” for Prolific USB-to-Serial:

If you encounter a “Code 10 error” next to “Prolific USB-to-Serial” in Device Manager, it usually indicates a driver conflict or corruption.

Click here for a fix for the Prolific USB-to-Serial Code 10 error.

Persistent Yellow Mark After Driver Installation:

If you’ve tried all driver packs and troubleshooting steps and the yellow exclamation mark remains, there might be a deeper issue.

Go to the Troubleshooting Section below for further assistance.

How to Test Your ELM327 Connection

Once you believe the drivers are correctly installed, testing the connection is the next crucial step to ensure everything is working before you diagnose your car.

Using Free Software to Test ELM327 on Windows 10:

Step 1: Install EasyOBD: Download and install EasyOBD. Do not launch it yet.

Step 2: Connect ELM327: Connect your ELM327 USB scanner to your Windows 10 laptop and your car’s OBD2 port. The OBD2 port is typically located under the dashboard.

Step 3: Turn Ignition ON: Turn your car’s ignition to the “ON” position (just before starting the engine, where dashboard lights are illuminated).

Step 4: Launch EasyOBD: Start the EasyOBD software. It should automatically attempt to connect to your ELM327 interface.

Test Results:

• Green Lines (Success): If the first 5 lines in EasyOBD are GREEN, your ELM327 and Windows 10 setup are 100% correctly installed. You are ready to use professional OBD2 software for in-depth diagnostics. Consider exploring advanced options like TOAD OBD software for comprehensive features.

• Red Lines (Issue Detected): If any of the first 5 lines are RED, it indicates a problem with the ELM327 connection or driver installation. Revisit the driver installation steps and troubleshooting tips. If issues persist, it may be best to consult a mechanic to rule out vehicle-related OBD2 compatibility problems.

Troubleshooting: Solutions for ELM327 Connection Issues

If you are experiencing difficulties connecting to your car with the ELM327 scanner, consider these common solutions:

Common Solutions:

Connection problems typically arise due to two primary reasons:

1. Vehicle OBD2 Compatibility: Ensure your vehicle is OBD2 compliant.
2. Random Connection Issues: Addressable with the following steps:

Recommended Troubleshooting Steps:

1. Check ELM327 Functionality: Verify that the ELM327 interface is working. When you plug it into a USB port, the lights on the device should flash initially, and then usually settle to a single red power light. A defunct ELM327 might not flash lights or only show a red light without initial activity.

2. Restart Your Computer: With the ELM327 cable still connected, restart your Windows 10 computer and try the connection again.

3. Try Different USB Port: Plug the ELM327 USB into a different USB port on your computer and re-test the connection.

4. Seek Expert Support (for Total Car Diagnostics Customers): If none of the above steps resolve the issue and you are a Total Car Diagnostics customer, we are here to assist you. Please follow these steps to get support:

   Step 1: Access Device Manager:

   • Windows Vista/7/8/10: 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 categories.

   Step 4: Contact Support: Contact us and attach the screenshot. Our support team will review your device manager information and provide tailored assistance.

By following this comprehensive guide, you should be able to successfully install your ELM327 OBD2 drivers on Windows 10 and begin diagnosing your vehicle. Remember to proceed methodically through each step and utilize the troubleshooting tips if you encounter any issues.