Cristalink USB Devices Driver

Cristalink

Dec 21, 2020 • Filed to: USB Recovery • Proven solutions

Have you ever had difficulty connecting your devices to your computer using a Prolific USB to Serial adapter? If yes you are lucky to find this page, it will give you all the information need to fix an unresponsive Serial driver adapter. You may have noticed a yellow exclamation mark hovering over or beside the USB to Serial Driver when searching your Device Manager and if you have we can all agree that it signifies a prevailing problem.

Driver

Overview of the Error

If you are not able to connect your device to your PC using a USB to Serial adapter it may be that

  • The USB driver is outdated
  • The USB Driver is missing
  • Or even a corrupted driver

While you can't be so sure what the exact problem is there are solutions you can adopt to fix the issue once and for all. Read on to find quick fixes to resolve the problem.

For example, different hard disk drives connected one at a time to the same USB external enclosure will have different volume names. The non-persistent device name (for example, Device CdRom0). Note that a non-persistent device name may change when the computer is restarted. Update the device driver. In the search box on the taskbar, enter device manager, then select Device Manager. Select a category to see names of devices, then right-click (or press and hold) the one you’d like to update. Select Search automatically for updated driver software. Select Update Driver.

1# Fix Prolific USB to Serial Driver not Working

Solution: Roll your Prolific USB to Serial Driver back to an older version

Updating your drivers often work wonders for your system because it makes sure that it runs on the latest features that guarantee maximum functionality. Unfortunately updating your drivers can cause this kind of error especially if your latest update does not work too well with your hardware. Once you upgrade your PC to the latest Windows version your Prolific USB to Serial Driver also updates to the latest driver software and if the driver is not compatible with your Hardware issues may arise. To correct the error, you will have to download the driver again by following these steps.

  • Right-click on your PC Start button and open Device Manager
  • Double click LPT and COM ports then locate the Prolific USB to Serial Driver and right-click it so you can select Update Driver
  • For driver software click My computer
  • From My computer select 'Let me pick from a list of drivers available'
  • Choose an older version from the list then click Next
  • The driver you selected will be installed automatically
  • Once it has been downloaded reconnect the driver to see if it works.

2# Fix Prolific USB to Serial Driver 'Coder 10'

Driver issues reveal themselves in so many ways or through messages such as

  • This device will not start (Code 10)
  • There is no driver installed in this device
  • The driver was not successfully installed

A code 10 error may arise because the chip you are using is not an original one. If you are using a fake, the manufacturer has a way of disabling it due to copy write infringement and the copy write takes effect once you download a recent update. To protect your PC from getting this code, you will have to make sure that your Windows 10 never updates a driver without approval. Updates come in the form of 64 bit and 32-bit drivers. Below we will show you how to work your way around the problem.

Window 64 bit Fix

To fix Windows 64 bit OS including Prolific USB to Serial Adapter, follow through these steps.

  • Download 'PL2303_64bit_Installer.exe and Save
  • Remove every USB to Serial adapter from your PC and double click the 'PL2303_64bit_installer.exe
  • Follow the prompt by plugging in one USB to Serial adapter the click on Continue
  • Reboot your PC to get Windows up and running

If you have followed these process through and you still see the same error go to your device manager

  • Open the control panel and navigate to Device Manager
  • From your control panel navigate to the System category and click the Hardware tab
  • Scroll to the LPT/COM port and double click Prolific USB to Serial Comm Port
  • Click Drivers in the Properties section
  • The Driver you choose should read '3.3.2.102 with an appropriate date attached
  • If the date is wrong then it means the wrong driver was installed
  • Unplug the Serial adapter and run the steps again to install the correct driver

Window 32-bit

For Windows 32-bit OS systems follow these steps

  • You will have to download the 'PL-2303_Driver_Installer.exe and save from Microsoft download link
  • Run the program and eradicate the driver if you can
  • Run the installer once more to install a correct driver

To Troubleshoot for error if your device still does not work

  • Go to Control panel, enter System to access your Device Manager
  • Scroll down to the LPT/ COM port then double click Prolific USB to Serial Comm Port
  • Click Driver in the Windows Properties section
  • The driver must be numbered as '2.0.2.8' and dates accordingly

If the driver was not installed, remove the Serial adapter then run 'PL2303_Driver_Installer.exe' again. Follow directions in Device Manager to download the correct driver

The three solutions listed in this article have proven to be quite helpful in fixing a Prolific USB to Serial driver not working on Windows 10. They may appear confusing at first but if you follow each step in detail you can resolve the issue.

Video Tutorial on How to Fix USB Device Not Recognized

USB Solution

Recover USB Drive
Format USB Drive
Fix/Repair USB Drive
Know USB Drive

Overview of USB Device Is Not Recognized Error

'My Sandisk USB flash drive is not recognized when I plug it into my laptop. Is there any way to fix USB flash drive not detected and restore the data. I have all my school work on it. Please help if you know any solutions.'

Like the user above, many users, including you now, have encountered the issue 'USB flash drive not recognized or detected' when they connect their USB device to a computer. Actually, many factors could trigger this issue, including:

  • USB connection issue
  • File system errors that make your USB become RAW
  • Drive letter issues
  • USB driver error
  • Hardware damage

Although all the causes can lead to a USB flash drive not being detected by the computer, the USB will show varying status in Disk Management depending on the cause. Thus, to fix a USB flash drive that is not recognized by your computer, you first need to check the device in Disk Management and then repair it according to the reasons.

Check The Causes of USB Flash Drive Not Recognized

Keep your USB flash drive connected and check it in Disk Management.

Step 1. Right-click 'This PC' and choose 'Manage'.

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Step 2. Go to 'Disk Management'.

Step 3. Then you will see your USB flash drive in one of the following situations:

  • The USB shows as RAW
  • The USB shows as unallocated space
  • The USB shows without a drive letter
  • The USB is not showing up in Disk Management

After identifying the specific situation, you can now apply the corresponding solutions to fix the USB flash drive that is not recognized.

Fixes for USB Flash Drive Not Recognized/Detected

If you're not in one of the scenarios above, you can also apply the tips detailed below to have a try.

Fix 1. Recover Files from RAW USB Drive before Formatting

Applies to: Fix USB becomes RAW.

There must be file system errors on your USB flash drive that make your USB device not recognized as RAW. It could be file system missing, corrupted, or not compatible with Windows.

To repair a RAW USB, all you need to do is to recover data from the USB that is not recognized and then convert RAW to NTFS or FAT32 file system by formatting. Formatting will erase the existing data on your USB stick. That's why you need to perform data recovery first.

To retrieve data from an inaccessible device, you can use the professional disk recovery software - EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard. It perfectly supports deleted file recovery, formatted data recovery, RAW partition recovery, and other data loss situations.

To recover data from the RAW USB:

Step 1. Choose the flash drive to scan.

Launch EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard and choose your flash drive where you lost important files. Click 'Scan' to start.

Step 2. Check and preview found flash drive data.

After the scanning is finished, you can quickly locate a specific type of file by using the Filter feature as well as the Search.

  • Filter: A quick way to your wanted files.
  • Search: e.g. File name/file extension.

Step 3. Restore flash drive data.

After checking and finding lost flash drive files, select them and click Recover to restore. You shall save the found files to a safe location on your PC rather than to your flash drive.

After retrieving all the files, you can now format the USB flash drive and assign a new file system to the device, which will make it usable again.

Fix 2. Update Unallocated USB Driver and Create New Partition

Applies to: Fix USB shows as unallocated space.

If your USB is not recognized by the computer and becomes unallocated space, it probably results from outdated USB driver. Thus, you should try to reinstall the USB device driver.

Step 1. Connect the USB flash drive to the PC

Step 2. Navigate to 'Control Panel' > 'System' > ‘’Device Manager' > 'Disk drivers'.

Step 3. Find and select your USB device, right-click and first choose 'Uninstall' and then choose 'Scan for hardware changes' to refresh the drivers.

Step 4. Restart your computer.

After all the operations, you may find USB not recognized issue is fixed and the flash drive is detected. If reinstalling the USB driver doesn't help, you can recover data from the unallocated space with EaseUS Data Recovery Wizard introduced above and then create a new volume to make it ready for data storage. (The unallocated space will show up as 'lost partition' in EaseUS data recovery software. Choose the right partition to scan and then recover your data.)

To create a new volume on unallocated space:

Step 1. Go to 'This PC', right-click it and choose 'Manage' > 'Disk Management'.

Step 2. Right-click the unallocated space and choose 'New Simple Volume'.

Step 3. Follow the wizard to finish the remaining process.

Fix 3. Change USB Driver Letter to Make It Detectable

Applies to fix: USB shows without driver letter.

Another reason for USB flash drive not detected issue is that the drive letter assigned to the USB drive is occupied by another drive on the computer (or the drive letter on the USB is missing). To solve this problem, you just need to try EaseUS free partition software to assign an unused drive letter to the USB flash drive. It will help you fix the 'USB flash drive not recognized' issue and recover all the inaccessible data with ease.

You can also assign a drive letter to your USB in Disk Management.

Step 1. Keep your USB connected. Right-click 'This PC' and choose 'Manage' > 'Disk Management'.

Step 2. Right-click the volume on your USB flash drive and select 'Change Drive Letter and Paths'.

Step 3. In the new window, click 'Change'.

Step 4. Assign a new drive letter to your USB and click 'OK'.

Fix 4. Check USB Port and Change Connection to Make USB Recognized

Applies to: Fix USB isn't showing up in Disk Management

If your USB flash drive is not detected by Disk Management at all, it's likely that:

  • The USB is not connected properly
  • There are driver issues
  • Your USB device is physically damaged

Therefore, you can first connect your USB connection including:

  • Change the USB port/cable
  • Connect your external hard drive or other storage devices to another computer and check whether the problem remains
  • Connect your USB drives to the rear port which provides a more stable power supply compared to the front ones

Then reinstall drivers (detailed above). If these tips don't help, you should consider sending the USB flash drive for repair.

The Bottom Line

When a USB flash drive is not recognized by the computer, there are varying causes. Once you can find the reason, you can easily make the decision on how to fix it. Besides, this issue also reminds you of the importance of growing a good habit of using your USB stick, like ejecting the device before disconnecting it and backing the device up regularly. I hope one of the solutions above could help to fix your USB flash drive that is not recognized or detected.

FAQs About USB Flash Drive Not Recognized or Detected

Besides fixing USB flash drive is not recognized error and bring lost files back, some users may also want to know the causes of USB flash drive not showing up, and how to repair the USB drive, etc.

If you are interested in these questions, follow on and you will find a satisfying answer below:

1. Why is my USB flash drive not showing up?

If a driver is missing, outdated, or corrupted, your computer won't be able to load your USB drive. USB driver issue, drive letter conflicts, and file system errors, etc. may all cause your USB flash drive not showing up on Windows PC.

You can update USB driver, reinstall the disk driver, recover USB data, change USB drive letter, and format USB to reset its file system. For a detailed guide, you can refer to USB Not Showing Up in Windows 10/8/7 for help.

2. How can I repair my USB flash drive?

USB flash drives can become corrupt or damaged for a variety of reasons. Luckily you can fix your USB for free.

Windows chkdsk and Windows disk error checking are able to repair errors on your disk from the command line. Afterward, with EaseUS data recovery software, you can get your data back from a failed pen drive without losing files.

For a detailed guide, you may refer to USB Flash Drive Repair Tool for help.

USB

3. How can I recover my USB flash drive that is not recognized?

As recommended on this page, when your USB flash drive, pen drive or external hard drive becomes unrecognized, you can get rid of this issue with the following steps:

Step 1. Check USB status in Disk Management:

  • The USB shows as RAW
  • The USB shows as unallocated space
  • The USB shows without a drive letter
  • The USB is not showing up in Disk Management

Step 2. Fix related error on the USB drive and make it recognized:

Cristalink USB Devices Driver
  1. 1. Recover files and format RAW USB.
  2. 2. Update unallocated USB drivers and create a new volume.
  3. 3. Change the USB drive letter.
  4. 4. Check USB port, change USB connection
  5. 5. If none of the above fixes work, take USB to a local device repair center for manual repair.