Ensuring your ELM327 USB cable is correctly installed on your Windows computer is the foundational step to effectively use vintage OBD2 software and diagnose your vehicle. If the ELM327 USB interface isn’t properly configured as per the instructions below, your OBD software won’t be able to detect the cable, let alone establish a connection with your car’s diagnostic system. This guide provides a detailed walkthrough to ensure a smooth setup process, allowing you to leverage your vintage OBD2 software with confidence.
Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, and 11 Installation Instructions:
Begin by connecting your ELM327 USB cable to your laptop. Allow Windows to automatically attempt driver installation.
To verify correct driver installation, you need to access the Device Manager.
Search for “Device Manager” in your Windows search bar and open it. Expand the “Ports (COM & LPT)” section.
Examine the list of devices under “Ports (COM & LPT)”. Crucially, ensure there are NO yellow exclamation marks (which appear as ) beside any devices such as: USB-Serial CH340, FT232R USB UART Prolific, USB-to-Serial, USB Serial Port, USB2.0-Serial, or Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge. These are common chipsets used in ELM327 interfaces.
If you find no yellow exclamation marks, congratulations! Your ELM327 USB is likely correctly installed, and you’re ready to start using your vintage OBD2 software to scan your car. Click here to learn how to connect to your car within minutes…
However, if any of the listed devices show a yellow exclamation mark (), it indicates a driver issue. Follow the steps below to install the necessary drivers. We’ve provided driver packs to cover most ELM327 USB adapters.
| DRIVER PACK 1 (Click to Download) | |
|---|---|
| Steps to Install Driver Pack 1: – If you are running 64-bit Windows, double-click and run: CP210xVCPInstaller_x64 – For 32-bit Windows, execute: CP210xVCPInstaller_x86 | |
| DRIVER PACK 2 | DRIVER PACK 3 |
| DRIVER PACK 4 | DRIVER PACK 5 Most Important! |
Crucial Steps to Install Driver Pack 5:
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First, move the downloaded, unextracted folder to your Desktop. This is essential because the “Install” option in the next step might not appear if you skip this.
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Right-click on “ser2pl” (the icon looks like a small gear) and select “Install”, as shown in the image below:
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Connect your ELM327 cable to your laptop. Then, search for “Device Manager” and open it. Navigate to “Ports (COM & LPT)”.
You will likely see a yellow exclamation mark next to “Prolific”. Right-click on “Prolific” and choose “Update Driver Software”. -
Select “Browse my computer for driver software”.
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Choose “Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer”.
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Uncheck the box labeled “Show compatible hardware“.
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Select “Prolific driver version 3.3.2.102” from the list.
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Click “Install”. After installation, the yellow triangle next to “Prolific…” should disappear, indicating successful driver installation for your vintage OBD2 software setup.
| DRIVER PACK 6 | |
|---|---|
| > 1. Download and unextract the Driver Pack 6. > 2. Double-click on “InstallUSB” to begin the installation. > 3. Connect your ELM327 cable to your laptop. The yellow exclamation mark should now be resolved. |
If the yellow mark persists even after trying Driver Pack 6, follow these additional steps:
a) With the ELM327 cable plugged in, right-click on the device exhibiting the yellow mark in Device Manager. b) Select “Update Driver Software“. c) Choose “Browse my computer for driver software“. d) Browse to and select the folder where you extracted Driver Pack 6. Ensure that the “Include subfolders” option is checked. e) Click “Next”. f) If a red warning message appears, select “Install this driver software anyway“. g) After successful installation, another yellow mark might appear under “Other Devices”, possibly labeled as “Unknown Device”.
h) If step g is true, repeat steps a-f for the “Unknown Device”. It might also be listed as “COMx”.
Even if DRIVER PACK 6 doesn’t resolve the issue, and you encounter a “Code 10 error” next to “Prolific USB-to-Serial” device, Click here for a solution to this specific problem.
If the “Code 10 error” fix doesn’t work and the yellow mark () still remains, proceed to the Troubleshooting section below for further assistance in getting your ELM327 USB ready for your vintage OBD2 software.
How To Scan and Diagnose Your Car with OBD2 Software
Step 1: Install your chosen OBD2 software. If you are looking for robust vintage OBD2 software compatibility, consider TOAD OBD software). Do not launch the software yet.
Step 2: Connect the ELM327 USB cable to your computer and then to your car’s OBD port. This port is typically located underneath the dashboard, near the steering wheel.
Step 3: Turn your car’s ignition to the “ON” position. This is the position where all dashboard lights illuminate, but the engine is not yet started.
Step 4: Launch your OBD diagnostic software. Click the “Connect” button within the software. It should automatically establish a connection with your vehicle, allowing you to utilize your vintage OBD2 software effectively. That’s all it takes!
Pro Tip: For the most comprehensive data reporting from your car, start the engine. You can safely drive your vehicle with the ELM327 plugged in and the software actively monitoring vehicle data. Always prioritize road safety and keep your attention on driving.
Troubleshooting ELM327 Connection Problems
| Common Solutions: |
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If you are experiencing difficulties connecting to your car, it generally boils down to two primary reasons:
- Your vehicle might not be fully OBD2 compatible. Verify your car’s OBD2 compatibility here. While vintage OBD2 software aims for broad compatibility, older vehicles may have limitations.
- Intermittent issues that can often be resolved with the following troubleshooting steps.
Recommended Troubleshooting Steps:
- First, confirm that your ELM327 interface is physically functioning. When you plug the cable into a USB port, the lights on the ELM327 device should flash momentarily, then stabilize with typically one red light indicating power. A faulty ELM327 might show no initial flashing lights, with only a red power light illuminating.
- Restart your computer while keeping the ELM327 cable connected. Then, attempt the connection again with your vintage OBD2 software.
- Try using a different USB port on your computer. Re-attempt the connection.
- If none of the above steps work, and if you are a Total Car Diagnostics customer, we are ready to assist you further. To help us diagnose the problem, please follow these steps: Ensure the ELM327 USB cable is connected to your laptop (it doesn’t need to be connected to the car at this stage).
Step 1: Access the Control Panel on your computer.
Windows Vista/7/8/10/11: Control Panel » System » Device Manager Windows XP: Control Panel » System » “Hardware” tab » Device Manager
Step 2: Expand both “Ports (COM & LPT)” and “Other Devices” sections in Device Manager.
Step 3: Take a screenshot of the Device Manager window. (Press the “Print Screen” key, then paste into a graphics program, or use your phone/camera).
Step 4: Contact our support team and attach the screenshot. This will provide us with valuable information to help resolve your connection issue and get you running with your vintage OBD2 software.
Free Software to Test ELM327 Functionality with Windows and Your Vehicle
| Free Software To Test: |
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Step 1: Install EasyOBD. Do not launch it until Step 4.
Step 2: Connect your ELM327 USB/Bluetooth adapter to your laptop and your car.
Step 3: Turn on your car’s ignition to the “ON” position (one step before starting the engine).
Step 4: Launch EasyOBD. It should automatically connect and run a diagnostic check.
If the first 5 lines in EasyOBD are displayed in GREEN, it indicates that your ELM327 and Windows setup are 100% correctly installed and functioning. In this case, consider upgrading to professional vintage OBD2 software like TOAD for advanced diagnostics.
If any of the first 5 lines are displayed in RED, it suggests that the OBD2 scanner is not communicating correctly with your car. In this situation, it is advisable to consult a qualified mechanic for further diagnosis of your vehicle.
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