How to Install CH340 Driver on Windows
Complete driver installation guide for CH340 USB-to-serial converter
In this comprehensive tutorial, we will guide you through the process of installing CH340 drivers on Windows, catering to your specific needs. While the driver typically installs automatically on the majority of operating systems, the vast array of available systems means that there might be instances where manual installation becomes necessary. This could be especially relevant during the initial connection of the chip to your computer's USB port or when dealing with operating system updates. Rest assured, by following our step-by-step instructions, you'll successfully install the CH340 drivers and ensure seamless functionality with your system.
Table of Contents
What is CH340?
CH340 is a TTL (serial) to USB converter and vice versa. This chip has been used in some boards such as Arduino boards (non-original Arduinos), ESP8266, etc. The boards using the CH340 chip, don't need a programmer in order to access the processor or to program them.
But there is a downside. An extra driver must be installed before starting to work with boards having this IC. In this tutorial, you will learn how to install the CH340 driver.
CH340 Driver Boards
The CH340 chip is commonly found in various development boards including Arduino clones, ESP8266 modules, and other USB-to-serial converter boards.
Installing CH340 Driver on Windows
If you connect your board to the computer before installing the driver, your computer will not recognize the board correctly and you will see following image in Device Manager.
To open Device Manager, search for it in the Windows Start menu.
Warning: When the CH340 driver is not installed, you'll see an unrecognized device in Device Manager with an exclamation mark, indicating driver installation failure.
Follow the steps below to install the CH340 driver:
Step 1: Downloading The Driver
First, download the CH340 driver from the links below:
Download CH340 Drivers:
- Windows Driver: ch341ser.zip
- Mac OS Driver: CH341SER_MAC.ZIP
Note: On a MacBook M1/M2, if you can't detect the port, please read this post.
Step 2: Installing The Driver
After downloading the driver, follow these steps:
- 1. Extract the downloaded ZIP file
- 2. Run the installer executable (usually named "CH341SER.exe")
- 3. Click "Install" when prompted
- 4. Wait for the installation to complete
Installation Note: After successful installation you should see a success message. In some cases, you may need to restart Windows after the driver installation is complete.
Step 3: Checking Correct Driver Installation in Device Manager
If your driver has been installed correctly, and if you connect your board to a computer, then you can see its name and port number in the Port section. For example, my Arduino board is connected to COM7.
To verify the installation:
- 1. Open Device Manager
- 2. Expand "Ports (COM & LPT)"
- 3. Look for "USB Serial Device (COM#)" or similar
- 4. The port number (COM#) will be used in Arduino IDE
Step 4: Checking Correct Driver Installation in Arduino IDE
Open the Arduino IDE software. Go to the Tools menu and from the Port section, select the port number appropriate port that your board is connected to. Note that this port number must be the same as the number you saw in the previous step.
To make sure, you can upload a code that you have already written to your board.
Verification Steps:
- • Board appears in Arduino IDE port list
- • No error messages when selecting board
- • Code uploads successfully
- • Serial monitor works properly
Common Issues and Solutions
Driver Installation Fails
If the driver installation fails:
- • Run the installer as Administrator
- • Temporarily disable antivirus software
- • Try downloading the driver again
- • Check Windows compatibility
Board Not Recognized
If the board is still not recognized:
- • Try a different USB port
- • Use a different USB cable
- • Restart your computer
- • Check Device Manager for error messages
Port Not Available in Arduino IDE
If the port doesn't appear in Arduino IDE:
- • Close and reopen Arduino IDE
- • Check if the board is properly connected
- • Verify driver installation in Device Manager
- • Try refreshing the port list
Related Resources
Download CH340 Drivers
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