Can't get USB to serial converter to work

Hi. I have the same problem on two different PCs, one running Windows 10 Enterprise (PrimaLuceLab Eagle4 Pro), and the other running Windows 10 Pro ( ASRock H270M-ITX/ac motherboard). In both cases if I install the Prolific USB-to_Serial Comm Port driver they work just fine. But if I allow Microsoft to install the latest driver it replaces it with a driver that fails every time on both computers. If I then go back and once again install the Prolific USB-to Serial Comm Port driver both computers begin to work just fine once more. I have tried all of the Microsoft troubleshooting suggestions and the Microsoft latest driver never works, but the Prolific driver always works. The funny (and annoying) thing about this is that a few months later I forget about the problem and run Norton 360 Driver Update Utility and the driver issue once again occurs. I then have to retrace my steps, and once again discover that the issue is with the Microsoft driver, find the Prolific driver, and install it once more. Sigh...

Hi, here to work with you on this issue.

If Windows is indicating that the USB to serial converter won't start and suggests reloading the driver, but you've already attempted that and it still doesn't work, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can try:

1. Unplug and reconnect the USB to serial converter: Disconnect the converter from your computer's USB port and wait for a few seconds. Then plug it back in, ensuring it is securely connected. Sometimes, a simple reconnection can resolve connection issues.
2. Try a different USB port: Connect the USB to serial converter to a different USB port on your computer. It's possible that the current port you're using is experiencing problems, and trying a different one might help.
3. Restart your computer: Sometimes, a system restart can fix driver-related issues. Restart your computer and see if the USB to serial converter starts working after the reboot.
4. Update the driver manually: Even if Windows claims the correct driver is installed, there's a possibility that it may be outdated or corrupted. You can try manually updating the driver by following these steps: a. Go to the Device Manager by right-clicking on the Start button and selecting "Device Manager" from the menu. b. In the Device Manager window, locate the USB to serial converter. It might be listed under "Ports (COM & LPT)" or "Universal Serial Bus controllers." c. Right-click on the USB to serial converter and select "Update driver" from the context menu. d. Choose the option to manually search for the driver. You can either provide the specific driver file if you have it or let Windows search online for the latest driver version. e. If Windows finds an updated driver, follow the on-screen instructions to install it. Once the installation is complete, restart your computer and check if the converter starts working.
5. Contact the manufacturer's support: If none of the above steps resolve the issue, it's recommended to reach out to the manufacturer's support for further assistance. They may provide specific troubleshooting steps or advice tailored to your USB to serial converter model.

Remember to provide as much information as possible when contacting support, such as the make and model of the USB to serial converter and the version of Windows you're using.

I hope this is helpful. If you require any additional assistance, don't hesitate to respond to this.

Regards,