ELM327 OBD2 USB Driver Windows 10: A Comprehensive Installation Guide

The ELM327 OBD2 USB scanner is a vital tool for automotive diagnostics, enabling you to communicate with your car’s computer system right from your Windows laptop. However, to establish this connection, installing the correct USB drivers on your Windows 10 machine is paramount. If these drivers aren’t properly set up, your OBD2 software will fail to detect the ELM327 interface, preventing you from accessing valuable vehicle data.

This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough to ensure successful ELM327 USB driver installation on Windows 10, along with troubleshooting tips to resolve common issues.

Step-by-Step Guide to Install ELM327 USB Drivers on Windows 10

Windows often attempts to automatically install drivers when you connect a new USB device. Let’s first check if the drivers were installed correctly and identify if any issues exist.

1. Access Device Manager: In the Windows search bar, type “Device Manager” and open it.

2. Locate Ports (COM & LPT): In the Device Manager window, expand the “Ports (COM & LPT)” category.

   You are looking for any entries with a yellow exclamation mark. This mark indicates a problem with the driver installation. Common device names associated with ELM327 adapters that might show this warning include:

   • USB-Serial CH340
   • FT232R USB UART Prolific
   • USB-to-Serial
   • USB Serial Port
   • USB2.0-Serial
   • Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge

3. Check for Yellow Exclamation Marks:

   • No Yellow Mark – Success! If you see no yellow exclamation marks next to any of these devices, congratulations! Your ELM327 USB drivers are likely installed correctly, and you can proceed to connect to your car using your OBD2 software.

   • Yellow Mark Present – Driver Installation Needed: If any of the listed devices display a yellow exclamation mark, it signifies a driver issue. You will need to manually install or update the drivers using the driver packs provided below.

Driver Pack Installation for ELM327 on Windows 10

To address driver issues, we have compiled several driver packs. Start with Driver Pack 1 and proceed sequentially if necessary. After installing each pack, restart your PC and check Device Manager for the yellow mark again.

Driver Pack 1

DRIVER PACK 1 (click to download)

Steps to install Driver Pack 1:

• For 64-bit Windows, double-click on: CP210xVCPInstaller_x64
• For 32-bit Windows, double-click on: CP210xVCPInstaller_x86

If Driver Pack 1 doesn’t resolve the issue, proceed to install the subsequent driver packs.

DRIVER PACK 2

DRIVER PACK 3

DRIVER PACK 4

Driver Pack 5 – Important for Prolific Chipsets

DRIVER PACK 5

Steps to install Driver Pack 5:

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

2. Run Installation: Right-click on “ser2pl” (the icon with a small gear picture) and select “Install,” as illustrated below.

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

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 Compatible Hardware: Uncheck the box labeled “Show compatible hardware.”

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

9. Install: Click “Install.” After installation, the yellow triangle next to “Prolific…” should disappear.

Driver Pack 6 – Total Car Diagnostics Driver Package

DRIVER PACK 6

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

Manual Driver Update if Yellow Mark Persists

If the yellow mark persists even after installing Driver Pack 6, follow these steps for a manual driver update:

1. Update Driver Software (Manual): With the ELM327 cable plugged in, right-click on the device with the yellow mark in Device Manager. Select “Update Driver Software.”

2. Browse My Computer (Manual): Choose “Browse my computer for driver software.”

3. Browse to Driver Pack 6: Click “Browse” and navigate to the folder where you unextracted Driver Pack 6. Ensure that the “Include subfolders” option is checked.

4. Next (Manual): Click “Next.”

5. Install Anyway: If you encounter a red warning message, select “Install this driver software anyway.”

6. Check for “Other Devices”: After successful installation, check if another yellow mark appears under “Other Devices,” potentially labeled as “Unknown Device” or “COMx.”

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

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

If you encounter a “Code 10 error” specifically next to “Prolific USB-to-Serial” in Device Manager, it indicates a more specific issue with the Prolific driver.

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

Troubleshooting ELM327 Connection Issues

If you’ve successfully installed the drivers but still face issues connecting to your car with your OBD2 software, consider these troubleshooting steps:

Common Solutions for Connection Problems:

1. OBD2 Compatibility: First, ensure your vehicle is indeed OBD2 compatible. Check our guide to OBD2 compatibility.

2. ELM327 Functionality Check: Verify that your ELM327 interface is physically working. When you plug the USB cable into your laptop, the lights on the ELM327 device should flash briefly, then settle to typically one red power light.

   Defunct ELM327 Indicator: If the lights do not flash upon USB connection, and only the red light illuminates, it might indicate a faulty ELM327 interface.

3. Restart Computer: Restart your computer while keeping the ELM327 cable connected. Attempt the connection again after the reboot.

4. Try Different USB Port: Plug the ELM327 USB cable into a different USB port on your computer. Sometimes, USB port-specific issues can arise.

5. Contact Support (for Total Car Diagnostics Customers): If the above solutions fail and you are a Total Car Diagnostics customer, we are here to assist you.

   To expedite support, follow these steps:

   Step 1: Access Device Manager (as described earlier).

   Step 2: Expand “Ports (COM & LPT)” and “Other Devices“.

   Step 3: Take a screenshot of the Device Manager window showing these expanded categories.

   Step 4: Contact our support team and attach the screenshot. This visual information will help us diagnose the problem more efficiently.

Free Software to Test ELM327 Functionality

To quickly test if your ELM327 interface and Windows installation are working correctly with your vehicle, use the free EasyOBD software.

Using EasyOBD for ELM327 Testing:

1. Install EasyOBD: Download and install EasyOBD. Do not launch it immediately after installation.

2. Connect ELM327: Connect your ELM327 USB adapter to your laptop and then to your car’s OBD2 port.

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

4. Launch EasyOBD: Now, launch the EasyOBD software. It should attempt to connect automatically.

5. Check Connection Status:

   • Green Lines – Success! If the first five lines in EasyOBD are displayed in GREEN, it indicates that your ELM327 installation and Windows driver setup are 100% correct. You can confidently use professional OBD2 software like TOAD (Total OBD & ECU Diagnostics).

   • Red Lines – Potential Issues: If any of the first five lines are RED, it suggests that the OBD2 scanner is not communicating with your car, even with correct drivers. In this case, further troubleshooting or professional mechanic assistance might be necessary.

By following this comprehensive guide, you should be able to successfully install your ELM327 OBD2 USB drivers on Windows 10 and begin diagnosing your vehicle. Remember to always prioritize safe practices when working with vehicle diagnostics and consult professional help if needed.