Driver OBD2 ELM327: Installation Guide for Windows

This comprehensive guide provides step-by-step instructions for installing the driver for your OBD2 ELM327 USB scanner on Windows computers. A properly installed driver is crucial for the ELM327 to communicate with OBD2 software and your vehicle’s onboard computer.

Installing the Driver OBD2 ELM327 on Windows XP, 7, 8, 10, and 11

Step 1: Connect the ELM327

Plug your ELM327 USB scanner into an available USB port on your Windows computer. Windows will typically attempt to automatically install the necessary drivers.

Step 2: Verify Driver Installation

To confirm the successful installation of the Driver Obd2 Elm327, open the Device Manager:

• Search for “Device Manager” in the Windows search bar.
• Expand the “Ports (COM & LPT)” section.

Step 3: Check for Errors

Look 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.”

• No Yellow Marks: If there are no yellow exclamation marks, your driver OBD2 ELM327 is installed correctly. You can now connect to your car using OBD2 software.
• Yellow Marks Present: If you see a yellow mark, you need to manually install the correct driver. Proceed to the next section.

Manually Installing the Driver OBD2 ELM327

If the automatic installation fails, download and install the appropriate driver package from the list below. We recommend trying each package in order until the issue is resolved. After each installation, restart your computer and check the Device Manager again for yellow exclamation marks. If the yellow mark persists, proceed to the next driver package.

• 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

  1. Move the unextracted folder to your Desktop.
  2. Right-click on “ser2pl” (gear icon) and select “Install.”
  3. Connect the ELM327. In Device Manager, under “Ports (COM & LPT),” right-click on the “Prolific” device with the yellow mark and select “Update Driver Software.”
  4. Choose “Browse my computer for driver software.”
  5. Select “Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer.”
  6. Uncheck “Show compatible hardware.”
  7. Choose 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

  1. Download and extract the files.
  2. Run “InstallUSB.”

Troubleshooting: Persistent Yellow Mark

If you’ve tried all the driver packages and still see a yellow exclamation mark, you might encounter a “Code 10 error.” This error often indicates a problem with the Prolific USB-to-Serial driver. Further troubleshooting might be required to address this issue.

Conclusion

Successfully installing the driver OBD2 ELM327 is essential for using your scanner with diagnostic software. By following these steps and troubleshooting tips, you can ensure your ELM327 is ready to communicate with your vehicle and provide valuable diagnostic information.