How To Install Pl2303 (Prolific) Driver On Windows 11 [2023]

Need to connect a device using a USB-to-Serial adapter on your Windows 11 PC? You’ll likely need the PL2303 (Prolific) driver to make it work properly. This driver helps your computer talk to devices like GPS units, modems, or other serial tools through a USB port. If the driver isn’t installed, your device might not show up or work correctly. In this blog, we’ll walk you through the easy steps to download and install the PL2303 driver on Windows 11, so you can get your device up and running without any hassle. Let’s get started!

---

Step 1: Unplug the PL2303 Device & Remove Old Driver

1. Disconnect your USB-to-Serial adapter (the PL2303 device) from the PC.
2. Open Device Manager (press Win + X → Device Manager).
3. In Device Manager, locate any entries under Ports (COM & LPT) or Other devices referring to PL2303 or “USB Serial / Unknown Device.”
4. Right-click it → Uninstall device.
   • If prompted, check the option “Delete the driver software for this device” to remove the stored driver.
5. After uninstalling, restart your PC to clean up.

This gives you a clean slate for a fresh install.

---

Step 2: Download the Correct PL2303 Driver

• Visit the official Prolific download page (Prolific’s site offers PL2303 Windows drivers)
• Be sure to pick a driver version that supports your OS. Some PL2303 versions (e.g. older EOL chipsets) explicitly note they’re not supported on Windows 11 / higher.
• If Prolific’s site is missing drivers or hard to navigate, community versions (like v3.8.38.2, etc.) are often shared.
• Download the driver package (often a .zip or .exe setup file).

---

Step 3: Extract & Prepare the Driver

• If the driver comes as a .zip, right-click → Extract All… and place it into a folder (e.g. C:\PL2303_Driver).
• Inside, you should see a setup installer .exe or .inf / .cab / .cat files for manual install.

---

Step 4A: Run the Installer (Preferred Method)

• If there is an .exe installer file, right-click → Run as Administrator.
• Follow on-screen prompts (Next → Accept license → Install).
• After installation, reboot your PC.
• Reconnect your PL2303 device. Windows should now recognize it and assign a COM port in Device Manager under Ports (COM & LPT).

---

Step 4B: Manual / Device Manager Driver Update (Alternate Method)

If installer fails or you prefer manual install:

1. In Device Manager, with the device connected, find the “Unknown device” or “USB Serial” entry.
2. Right-click → Update driver.
3. Choose Browse my computer for drivers.
4. Then select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
5. Click Have Disk…, and browse to the folder where you extracted the driver.
6. Select the .inf file appropriate to PL2303 and click Open / OK.
7. Choose the correct driver from the list and click Next to install.
8. After it installs, reboot your PC.

---

Step 5: Verify Installation & COM Port

• After reboot, open Device Manager → Ports (COM & LPT). You should see an entry like Prolific USB to Serial (or “USB Serial (COMx)”).
• Open Properties → Driver tab to check driver version & date.
• Test your serial device (or terminal software) using that COM port.