PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual

For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release

For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -1of20- August1,2012

All information herein is subject to change without prior notice. Prolific Technology Inc. does not make any warranties regarding
the accuracy and completeness of this document and shall in no event be liable for any loss of profit or any other commercial
damage, including but not limited to special, incidental, consequential, or other damages. No part of this document may be
reproduced 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:1.7.0(2012-8-1)
GUID:ECC3713C-08A4-40E3-95F1-7D0704F1CE5E
Windows2000/WindowsXP(32&64-bit)WDMWHQLDriver:v2.1.35.211
CompatiblewithServer2003(32&64-bit)
WindowsVista/Windows7/Windows8(32&64-bit)WDFWHQLDriver:v3.4.31.231
CompatiblewithServer2008,Server2008R2,Server2012(32&64-bit)
DriversarealsoavailableviaWindowsUpdate(needInternetconnection)

System Requirements
PCwithUSB1.1/2.0/3.0HostController(USBPort)andfollowingWindowsOSFamily:
Windows2000SP4
WindowsXPSP2orSP3(32&64bit)
WindowsServer2003(32&64bit)
WindowsVista(32&64bit)
Windows7(32&64bit)
WindowsServer2008/2008R2(32&64bit)
Windows8(32&64bit)
WindowsServer2012(32&64bit)
USBDevicewithbelowPL-2303chipversionsandtheirsupportedOSFamily:
ChipVersion
Windows2000/XP
(32&64bit)
Vista/Windows7
(32&64bit)
Windows8
(32&64bit)
PL-2303H Yes Yes NotSupported*
PL-2303HX(RevA)orHXA Yes Yes NotSupported*
PL-2303XorXA Yes Yes NotSupported*
PL-2303HX(RevD)orHXD Yes Yes Yes
PL2303TA Yes Yes Yes
PL2303TB Yes Yes Yes
PL2303EA Yes Yes Yes
PL2303RA Yes Yes Yes
PL2303SA Yes Yes Yes
* - PL2303H, PL-2303HX (Rev A), and PL-2303X are EOL and discontinued chips and Prolific will not
provide Windows 8 driver support. New driver versions willshowyellowmark (Error Code 10) in Device
Manager for these EOL chip versions under Windows 8. Prolific recommends using PL2303HXD chip.

PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual

For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -2of20- August1,2012

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

Counterfeit Warning!!!
Pleasebewarnedthatcounterfeit/fakePL-2303HXRevA(orPL-2303HXA)USB-to-SerialController
ICsusingProlific'strademarklogo,brandname,anddrivers,arebeingsoldintheChinamarket.
CounterfeitICproductsshowexactlythesameoutsidechipmarkingsbutgenerallyareofpoorquality
andcausesWindowsdrivercompatibilityissues(YellowMarkErrorCode10inDeviceManagerunder
WinXP,Vista,and7).Thiswarningisissuedtoallcustomersandconsumerstoavoidconfusionand
falsepurchase.PleasepurchaseonlyfromstoresorvendorsprovidingtechnicalandRMAsupport.

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.

ThefollowingstepswillshowhowtoinstallthedeviceunderWindows7(64-bit)OSasthisisthemost
inquireddriverinstallationsupportreceivedbyProlific.Theproceduresarethesameandstraight-
forwardforallothersupportedWindowsoperatingsystemversions.
PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual
For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -3of20- August1,2012

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



1. PoweronyourcomputerandboottoWindows.Runordouble-clickthePL-2303WindowsDriver
Installerprogram.

2. TheInstallShieldWizardwillbedisplayedtoinformyouthatthePL-2303USB-to-Serialdriver
willbeinstalledonyourcomputer.ClickNexttocontinue.

PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual

For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -4of20- August1,2012

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

3. ThePL-2303DriverInstallerprogramwillthenstarttoinstallthedriversneeded.

4. ClicktheFinishbuttontoclosetheInstallShieldprogram.Ifyouhavepluggedthecableintothe
PCwhilerunningthesetupinstallation,pleaseunplugandreplugthecableforthesystemto
detectthedevice.

PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual

For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -5of20- August1,2012

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

5. PlugintheUSBtoSerialadaptertothePCUSBport.Windowsshoulddetectthedriveras
ProlificUSB-to-SerialCommPort.GotoDeviceManagerandcheckfortheProlific
USB-to-SerialCommPortdeviceandtheCOMportnumberassignedbyWindows.

6. Youcanalsocheckthedriverversionbyright-clickingontheProlificUSB-to-SerialCommPort
deviceandselectPropertiesandDrivertab.

PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual

For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -6of20- August1,2012

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

Warning!!!
Ifyouareencounteringyellowmark(ErrorCode10)fordeviceinDeviceManagerunderWindowsXP,
Vista,orWindows7,youneedtocontactthecablevendorormanufacturerforpossiblecounterfeit
chip.Prolificdoesnotmanufactureorsellanyend-usermarketproductsandwillnotprovideorbe
responsiblefordirectsupporttoend-users.


PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual
For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -7of20- August1,2012

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

Windows 7 Driver Installation (via Windows Update)
ThissectionwillguideyouonhowtoinstallthePL-2303WindowsDriverviaWindowsUpdate.You
willneedanInternetconnectiontobeabletoautomaticallydownloadandinstallthedriversvia
WindowsUpdate.

1. CheckifyourInternetconnectionisOK.PluginPL-2303USBtoSerialcable.

2. WindowswillautomaticallycheckWindowsUpdateifdriverisavailableandwilldownloadand
installthedriverinstantly.


PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual
For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -8of20- August1,2012

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

3. WindowswillthenpromptyouthatProlificUSB-to-SerialCommPort(COMx)isinstalledand
readytouse.



PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual
For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -9of20- August1,2012

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

4. Youcanalsoright-clickontheUSB-SerialControllerdeviceandclickUpdateDriver.


PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual
For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -10of20- August1,2012

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

PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual
For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -11of20- August1,2012

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


Windows 8 Supported Chip Versions
ThissectionwillguideyouonwhatPL-2303chipversionsaresupportedbyProlificinWindows8:

ChipVersion ChipAvailability Windows8(32&64bit)

PL-2303H Discontinued(EOL) NoNewDriverSupport*
PL-2303HX(RevA)orHXA Discontinued(EOL) NoNewDriverSupport*
PL-2303XorXA Discontinued(EOL) NoNewDriverSupport*
PL-2303HX(RevD)orHXD Available Yes
PL2303TA Available Yes
PL2303TB Available Yes
PL2303EA Available Yes
PL2303RA Available Yes
PL2303SA Available Yes
*-NewDriverdoesnotsupportPL-2303H,PL2303HX(RevA),andPL2303XinWindows8.Itwill
showayellowmark(ErrorCode10)inDeviceManagersimilartowhatcounterfeitchipswouldshow.

Check Chip Version Tool
Prolificprovidesatoolprogramtogetherwiththedrivertocheckthechipversionofyourdevicefor
Windows8-readydriversupport.
http://www.prolific.com.tw/US/ShowProduct.aspx?p_id=225&pcid=41

NOTE:
ThistoolwillnotworkinWindows8ifthePL-2303deviceshowsayellowmarkinDeviceManager.
YouneedtouseWindows7orXPtorunthetoolprogramfordiscontinuedchipversions.


PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual
For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -12of20- August1,2012

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

Windows 8 Driver Installation

ThissectionwillguideyouhowtoinstallthePL-2303deviceinWindows8OperatingSystem.You
candownloadthelatestDriverInstallerprogramfromProlificSupportwebsite:
http://www.prolific.com.tw/eng/downloads.asp?ID=31

1. PoweronyourcomputerandboottoWindows8.Runordouble-clickthePL-2303Windows
DriverInstallerv1.7.0program.

2. TheInstallShieldWizardwillbedisplayedtoinformyouthatthePL-2303USB-to-Serialdriver
willbeinstalledonyourcomputer.ClickNexttocontinue.

PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual

For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -13of20- August1,2012

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

3. ThePL-2303DriverInstallerprogramwillthenstarttoinstallthedriversneeded.ClicktheFinish
buttontoclosetheInstallShieldprogram.

4. PlugintheUSBtoSerialadaptertothePCUSBport.Windowsshoulddetectthedriveras
ProlificUSB-to-SerialCommPort.GotoDeviceManagerandcheckforthedeviceandthe
COMportnumberassignedbyWindows.Youcanalsocheckthedriverversionbyright-clicking
ontheProlificUSB-to-SerialCommPortdeviceandselectPropertiesandDrivertab.

PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual
For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -14of20- August1,2012

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

5. TheCOMPortnumberforthePL-2303isassignedbytheWindowsOperatingSystem.Ifyou
encounteradevicethatshowsayellowmark(ErrorCode10),youneedtocheckifthatdeviceis
usinganoldversionProlificchip(PL-2303HXAorPL-2303XA)oracounterfeitchip.As
mentionedintheprevioussections,ProlificdoesnotsupportoldversionchipsinWindows8.


PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual
For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -15of20- August1,2012

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

Windows 8 Driver Installation (via Windows Update)
ThissectionwillguideyouonhowtoinstallthePL-2303WindowsDriverviaWindowsUpdate.You
willneedanInternetconnectiontobeabletoautomaticallydownloadandinstallthedriversvia
WindowsUpdate.

1. CheckifyourInternetconnectionisOK.PluginPL-2303USBtoSerialcable.

2. WindowswillautomaticallycheckWindowsUpdateifdriverisavailableandwilldownloadand
installthedriverinstantly.

PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual
For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -16of20- August1,2012

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

3. WindowswillthenpromptyouthatProlificUSB-to-SerialCommPort(COMx)isinstalledand
readytouse.


PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual
For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -17of20- August1,2012

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

4. Youcanalsoright-clickontheUSB-SerialControllerdeviceandclickUpdateDriver.



PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual
For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -18of20- August1,2012

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

PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual
For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -19of20- August1,2012

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


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.

PL2303 Windows Driver Users Manual

For Driver Installer v1.7.0 Release
For Microsoft Windows Operating Systems


ProlificTechnologyInc. -20of20- August1,2012

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

3. TheInstallShieldWizardwillpromptyoutoconfirmtouninstall.ClickYestocontinue.

4. WaitfortheInstallShieldWizardtocompletetheuninstallprocess.Whencomplete,clickFinish
toendtheprogram.WaitforsomefewsecondsuntilthePL-2303USB-to-Serialprogramis
removedfromtheControlPanelUninstall(AddorRemovePrograms)programlist.