PL2303 Windows Driver User Manual v1.12.0

7/25/2019 PL2303 Windows Driver User Manual v1.12.0

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PL2303 Windows Driver Users ManualFor Driver Installer v1.12.0 Release

For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems

ProlificTechnologyInc. -1of17- October7,2015All information herein is subject to change without prior notice. Prolific Technology Inc. does not make any warranties regardingthe accuracy and completeness of this document and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercialdamage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. No part of this document may bereproduced or transmitted in any form by any means without the express written permission of the manufacturer.

PL2303 USB-to-Serial Bridge Chip Family

Windows Driver Installer User Manual

WHQL Driver Version Information

DriverInstaller&Builddate:1.12.0 (2015-10-7)

GUID:ECC3713C-08A4-40E3-95F1-7D0704F1CE5E

WHQL WDM Driver: v2.1.51.238 (10/22/2013)

Windows2000,XP,Server2003(32&64-bit)

https://sysdev.microsoft.com/en-US/Hardware/LogoVerificationReport.aspx?sid=1616428

WHQL WDF Driver: v3.6.81.357 (09/04/2015)

Windows10(32&64-bit)

WindowsVista,7,8,8.1(32&64-bit)

WindowsServer2008,2008R2,Server2012,Server2012R2(64-bit)

https://sysdev.microsoft.com/en-US/Hardware/LogoVerificationReport.aspx?sid=1767464

DriverscanalsoautomaticallyinstallviaWindowsUpdate(needInternetconnection)

System Requirements

PCwithUSB1.1/2.0/3.0HostController(USBPort)andWindowsOS.

USBDevicewithbelowPL-2303chipversionsandtheirsupportedOSFamily:

Chip Version

Windows

2000 / XP

Server 2003

(32 & 64 bit)

Windows

Vista / 7

Server2008/R2

(32 & 64 bit)

Windows

8 / 8.1

Server2012/R2

(32 & 64 bit)

Windows 10

(32 & 64 bit)

PL-2303H Yes Yes Not Supported* Not Supported*

PL-2303HX(RevA)or

HXAYes Yes Not Supported* Not Supported*

PL-2303XorXA Yes Yes Not Supported* Not Supported*

PL-2303HX(RevD)or

HXDYes Yes Yes Yes

PL2303TA Yes Yes Yes Yes

PL2303TB Yes Yes Yes Yes

PL2303EA Yes Yes Yes Yes

PL2303RA Yes Yes Yes Yes

PL2303SA Yes Yes Yes Yes

* - PL2303H, PL-2303HX (Rev A), and PL-2303X are EOL and discontinued chips and Prolific will not

provideWindows8(andaboveversions)driversupport.Newdriverversionswillshowyellowmark(Error

Code10)inDeviceManagerfortheseEOLchipversionsunderWindows8oraboveOSversions.
https://sysdev.microsoft.com/en-US/Hardware/LogoVerificationReport.aspx?sid=1616428https://sysdev.microsoft.com/en-US/Hardware/LogoVerificationReport.aspx?sid=1616428https://sysdev.microsoft.com/en-US/Hardware/LogoVerificationReport.aspx?sid=1767464https://sysdev.microsoft.com/en-US/Hardware/LogoVerificationReport.aspx?sid=1767464https://sysdev.microsoft.com/en-US/Hardware/LogoVerificationReport.aspx?sid=1767464https://sysdev.microsoft.com/en-US/Hardware/LogoVerificationReport.aspx?sid=1616428


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Counterfeit Warning!!!

Pleasebewarnedthatcounterfeit/fakePL-2303HXRevA(orPL-2303HXA)USB-to-SerialController

ICsusingProlific'strademarklogo,brandname,anddrivers,arebeingsoldintheChinamarket.

CounterfeitICproductsshowexactlythesameoutsidechipmarkingsbutgenerallyareofpoorquality

andcausesWindowsdrivercompatibilityissues(Yellow Mark Error Code 10 in Device Manager under

WinXP, Vista, and 7).Thiswarningisissuedtoallcustomersandconsumerstoavoidconfusionand

falsepurchase.Please purchase only from stores or vendors providing technical and RMA support.

Windows 7 Driver Installation

ThissectionwillguideyouonhowtoinstallthePL-2303WindowsDriver.Youcandownloadthelatest

DriverInstallerprogramfromProlificSupportwebsite:

http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41

Note: Pleasetakenoticeoftheinstallationorder.First,runtheDriverInstallerProgrambefore

pluggingintheUSBtoSerialadapter.Ifyoualreadyplugthedeviceduringthedriverinstallation,you

needtore-plugthedeviceforWindowstoenumeratethedeviceandloadthedriversinstalled.Ifyour

deviceisembeddedtothesystem,youmightneedtorestartthesystem(orclickrescanhardware

changesinDeviceManager)toreloadandinstallthedriver.

ThefollowingstepswillshowhowtoinstallthedeviceunderWindows 7 (64-bit)OSasthisisthemost

inquireddriverinstallationsupportreceivedbyProlific.Theproceduresarethesameandstraight-

forwardforallothersupportedWindowsoperatingsystemversions.
http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41


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1. PoweronyourcomputerandboottoWindows.Runordouble-clickthePL-2303WindowsDriver

Installerprogram.

2. TheInstallShieldWizardwillbedisplayedtoinformyouthatthePL-2303USB-to-Serialdriver

willbeinstalledonyourcomputer.ClickNexttocontinue.


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3. ThePL-2303DriverInstallerprogramwillthenstarttoinstallthedriversneeded.

4. ClicktheFinishbuttontoclosetheInstallShieldprogram.Ifyouhavepluggedthecableintothe

PCwhilerunningthesetupinstallation,pleaseunplugandreplugthecableforthesystemto

detectthedevice.


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5. PlugintheUSBtoSerialadaptertothePCUSBport.Windowsshoulddetectthedriveras

ProlificUSB-to-SerialCommPort.GotoDeviceManagerandcheckforthe Prolific

USB-to-SerialCommPortdeviceandtheCOMportnumberassignedbyWindows.

6. Youcanalsocheckthedriverversionbyright-clickingontheProlificUSB-to-SerialCommPort

deviceandselectPropertiesandDrivertab.


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Warning

Ifyouareencounteringyellowmark(ErrorCode10)fordeviceinDeviceManagerunderWindowsXP,

Vista,orWindows7,youneedtocontactthecablevendorormanufacturerforpossiblecounterfeit

chip.Prolificdoesnotmanufactureorsellanyend-usermarketproductsandwillnotprovideorbe

responsiblefordirectsupporttoend-users.


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Windows Driver Installation (via Windows Update)

ThissectionguidesyouonhowtoinstallthePL-2303WindowsDriverviaWindowsUpdate.Youwill

needanInternetconnectiontoautomaticallydownloadandinstallthedriversviaWindowsUpdate:

Operating Systems

Windows 7

(32 & 64 bit)

Windows 8 / 8.1

(32 & 64 bit)

Windows 10

(32 & 64 bit)

Windows Update

1. CheckifyourInternetconnectionisOK.PluginPL-2303USBtoSerialcable.

2. WindowswillautomaticallycheckWindowsUpdateifdriverisavailableandwilldownloadand

installthedriverinstantly.


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3. WindowswillthenpromptyouthatProlificUSB-to-SerialCommPort(COMx)isinstalledand

readytouse.


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4. Youcanalsoright-clickontheUSB-SerialControllerdeviceandclickUpdateDriver.


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Windows 8/8.1/10 Supported Chip Versions

ThissectionwillguideyouonwhatPL-2303chipversionsaresupportedbyProlificinWindows8:

Chip Version Chip Availability Windows 8/8.1/10 (32 & 64 bit)

PL-2303H Discontinued(EOL) NoNewDriverSupport*

PL-2303HX(RevA)orHXA Discontinued(EOL) NoNewDriverSupport*

PL-2303XorXA Discontinued(EOL) NoNewDriverSupport*

PL-2303HX (Rev D) or HXD Available Yes

PL2303TA Available

Yes

PL2303TB Available Yes

PL2303EA Available

Yes

PL2303RA Available

Yes

PL2303SA Available Yes

*-NewDriverdoesnotsupportPL-2303H,PL2303HX(RevA),andPL2303XinWindows8/8.1/10.Itwillshowa

yellowmark(ErrorCode10)inDeviceManagersimilartowhatcounterfeitchipswouldshow.

Check Chip Version Tool

Prolificprovidesatoolprograminsidethedriverpackagetocheckthechipversionofyourdevice:


NOTE:

ThistoolwillnotworkinWindows8/8.1/10ifthePL-2303deviceshowsayellowmarkinDevice

Manager.YouneedtouseWindows7orXPtorunthetoolprogramfordiscontinuedchipversions.


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Windows 8/8.1/10 Driver Installation

ThissectionshowshowtoinstallthePL-2303deviceinWindows8or8.1or10OperatingSystem.

YoucandownloadthelatestDriverInstallerprogramfromProlificSupportwebsite:


1. PoweronyourcomputerandboottoWindows.Runordouble-clickthePL-2303WindowsDriver

Installerprogram.TheInstallShieldWizardwillbedisplayedtoinformyouthatthePL-2303

USB-to-Serialdriverwillbeinstalledonyourcomputer.ClickNexttocontinue.


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2. ThePL-2303DriverInstallerprogramwillthenstarttoinstallthedriversneeded.ClicktheFinish

buttontoclosetheInstallShieldprogram.

3. PlugintheUSBtoSerialadaptertothePCUSBport.Windowsshoulddetectthedriveras

ProlificUSB-to-SerialCommPort.GotoDeviceManagerandcheckforthedeviceandthe

COMportnumberassignedbyWindows.Youcanalsocheckthedriverversionbyright-clicking

ontheProlificUSB-to-SerialCommPortdeviceandselectPropertiesandDrivertab.


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4. TheCOMPortnumberforthePL-2303isassignedbytheWindowsOperatingSystem.Ifyou

encounteradevicethatshowsayellowmark(ErrorCode10),youneedtocheckifthatdeviceis

usinganoldversionProlificchip(PL-2303HXAorPL-2303XA)oracounterfeitchip.As

mentionedintheprevioussections,ProlificdoesnotsupportoldversionchipsinWindows8.


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Uninstalling the PL-2303 Driver

TouninstallthePL-2303driver,followthebelowsteps:

1. ClickStartControlPanelProgramsProgramsandFeatures-UninstallaProgram.Lookfor

thePL-2303USB-to-SerialprogramandclicktheUninstall(Remove)button.

2. InstallShieldWizardwillthenstartthemaintenanceprogramandwillpromptyoutochooseifyou

wanttomodify,repair,orremovethedriver.ClicktheRemovebuttonandclickNexttobeginthe

driveruninstall.


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3. TheInstallShieldWizardwillpromptyoutoconfirmtouninstall.ClickYestocontinue.

4. WaitfortheInstallShieldWizardtocompletetheuninstallprocess.Whencomplete,clickFinish

toendtheprogram.WaitforsomefewsecondsuntilthePL-2303USB-to-Serialprogramis

removedfromtheControlPanelUninstall(AddorRemovePrograms)programlist.


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ProlificTechnologyInc. -17of17- October7,2015All information herein is subject to change without prior notice Prolific Technology Inc does not make any warranties regarding

5. IfyouareusingWindowsServerversions,youmayneedtodothisextrastepifdriverisnot

completelyuninstalled.PlugbackthePL2303devicetothecomputerandgotoDeviceManager

andright-clickProlificUSB-to-SerialCommPort.ClickUninstallandclickenablethecheckbox

Deletethedriversoftwareforthisdevice.ClickOKtocompletelyuninstallthedriver.

Documents

PL2303 Windows Driver User Manual v1.12.0