Click and hit Enter a few times to wake up the console CLI.
If visual inspection is impossible:
Once the chipset is identified via the method above, download the specific driver package.
: Use the Prolific Support Page to download the latest PL2303 Windows Driver. awm 20251 console cable driver download fix
Avoid "driver update" websites. Always download directly from the chip manufacturer:
Right-click the unrecognized device in and select Properties . Go to the Details tab. Click the property dropdown and select Hardware Ids . Look at the VID (Vendor ID) and PID (Product ID) codes: VID 0403 : This is an FTDI chip. VID 067B : This is a Prolific chip.
Change the to a lower, unused number (e.g., COM2). Step 4: Testing the Connection Click and hit Enter a few times to wake up the console CLI
With the driver installed, it's time to put the cable to work. You'll need a terminal emulation program—popular choices include PuTTY (Windows), Tera Term, or screen (macOS/Linux). The most common settings for network devices are:
If you see "This device cannot start (Code 10)" on a Prolific-based cable under Windows 11, you likely have a generic or counterfeit chip. Windows blocks these with newer updates.
This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough for resolving driver issues related to the . Typically used for configuring network equipment like Cisco routers or switches, this cable often utilizes a USB-to-Serial chipset (most commonly Prolific or FTDI) that requires specific drivers to function on modern operating systems. AWM 20251 Console Cable Driver Download & Fix Guide Avoid "driver update" websites
Look through the list for an error icon (a yellow triangle with an exclamation mark). It will usually be under or Other Devices , named something like USB Serial Port , FT232R USB UART , or PL2303 . Right-click the problematic device and choose Properties . Go to the Details tab. Click the Property dropdown menu and select Hardware Ids . Look at the VID (Vendor ID) and PID (Product ID) values. Match your VID and PID to the manufacturers below: FTDI: VID 0403 (e.g., PID 6001) Prolific: VID 067B (e.g., PID 2303) CH340: VID 1A86 (e.g., PID 7523) Silicon Labs: VID 10C4 (e.g., PID EA60) Step 2: Download and Install the Correct Driver
Have a different console cable driver issue? The same method applies to most PL2303, CH340, and CP2102 adapters.
If you installed the driver but the cable still does not work, Windows is likely overwriting your functional driver with an incompatible version. Use this roll-back fix:
Find the VID/PID code and install the official manufacturer driver. Incompatible OS update Roll back to an older driver version via Device Manager. Blank Terminal Screen Wrong COM port selected
By manually selecting a legacy driver, you can bypass the "Code 10" restriction and keep using your AWM 20251 cable on the latest version of Windows.