OBD2 ELM327 USB Driver Download and Installation Guide

Connecting your car to a computer for diagnostics is easier than ever with an OBD2 ELM327 USB adapter. However, before you can start using OBD2 software, you need to install the correct drivers. This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions for downloading and installing the OBD2 ELM327 USB driver on Windows, ensuring a seamless connection to your vehicle.

This guide covers driver installation for Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, and 11. By following these instructions, you’ll be able to quickly and easily set up your ELM327 USB scanner and begin diagnosing your car with compatible OBD2 software. A properly installed driver is crucial for the OBD2 software to detect the cable and communicate with your vehicle.

Installing the OBD2 ELM327 USB Driver on Windows

Automatic Installation:

1. Connect the ELM327 USB adapter to your laptop or computer.
2. Windows will usually attempt to automatically install the necessary drivers.

Verifying Driver Installation:

1. Search for “Device Manager” in the Windows search bar and open it.
2. Expand the “Ports (COM & LPT)” section.
3. Check for any yellow exclamation marks next to devices like “USB-Serial CH340,” “FT232R USB UART,” “Prolific USB-to-Serial,” “USB Serial Port,” “USB2.0-Serial,” or “Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge.”

If there are no yellow exclamation marks, your driver is installed correctly. You can proceed to connect to your vehicle.

If you see a yellow exclamation mark, you need to manually install the drivers.

Manual Driver Installation

If automatic installation fails, download and install the appropriate driver package from the list below. After installing each package, restart your computer and check Device Manager again for the yellow exclamation mark.

Driver Packages:

• Driver Pack 1 (CP210x): http://totalcardiagnostics.com.s3.amazonaws.com/CP210x_VCP_Windows.zip (For 64-bit Windows, run CP210xVCPInstaller_x64; for 32-bit Windows, run CP210xVCPInstaller_x86)

• Driver Pack 2 (Prolific PL2303): http://totalcardiagnostics.com.s3.amazonaws.com/PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v1.8.0.zip

• Driver Pack 3 (FTDI): http://totalcardiagnostics.com.s3.amazonaws.com/CDM_v2.10.00_WHQL_Certified_FTDI.zip

• Driver Pack 4 (CH340): http://totalcardiagnostics.com.s3.amazonaws.com/CH340-USB-Driver.zip

• Driver Pack 5 (Prolific for Windows 8): http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/files/prolific_Win8_x64_x86.zip

Installing Driver Pack 5:

1. Move the unextracted folder to your Desktop.

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

3. Connect the ELM327 cable.

4. In Device Manager, under “Ports (COM & LPT),” right-click on the “Prolific” device with the yellow mark and select “Update Driver Software.”

5. Choose “Browse my computer for driver software.”

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

7. Uncheck “Show compatible hardware.”

8. Select Prolific driver version 3.3.2.102 and install.

• Driver Pack 6 (Total Car Diagnostics): http://www.totalcardiagnostics.com/files/TotalCarDiagnostics-ELM327-Driver-Package.zip (Run “InstallUSB” after extracting.)

If you still encounter issues after trying all driver packages, refer to the troubleshooting section below. For “Code 10” errors, see this article.

Troubleshooting ELM327 Connection Issues

Common Issues and Solutions:

1. Defunct ELM327: When plugged in, all lights on the ELM327 should flash initially, then settle on one red light. If only the red light is on, the device may be faulty.
2. Restart Computer: Restart your computer with the cable connected.
3. Try Different USB Port: Plug the USB cable into a different port on your computer.

If you’ve exhausted all troubleshooting options, and are a Total Car Diagnostics customer, contact their support team for further assistance. You can take a picture of your Device Manager screen, showing the “Ports (COM & LPT)” and “Other Devices” sections, and attach it to your support request. This will help them diagnose the issue more effectively.