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This guide is applicable only for Windows systems. If you are using macOS or Linux, please refer to the FTDI website for platform-specific instructions.
If you are unable to detect the USB-to-Serial connection from your development kit, it may be due to missing or outdated FTDI Virtual COM Port (VCOM) drivers. Many development boards use FTDI chips for USB-to-serial communication, and the VCOM driver is required for proper detection.

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Symptoms

  • USB-to-Serial connection fails to establish
  • USB Serial Ports appear under Other devices instead of Ports (COM & LPT) in Device Manager
When FTDI drivers are missing, you may see USB Serial Port entries under Other devices in Device Manager:
Device Manager showing missing FTDI drivers

Device Manager showing missing FTDI drivers

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Fix the missing driver

1

Download the FTDI VCP Driver

Download the FTDI VCP driver for Windows from the official FTDI website.
  • Select the Windows driver package (ZIP file) for manual installation that matches your system architecture.
  • Save the file (e.g., CDM-v2.12.36.20-WHQL-Certified.zip) to your Downloads folder.
2

Extract the Driver Files

  • Locate the downloaded ZIP file (e.g., CDM-v2.12.36.20-WHQL-Certified.zip).
  • Right-click the ZIP file and select Extract All….
  • Choose a location to extract the files such as your Downloads folder.
  • Note the extraction location as you will need it in a later step.
3

Connect Your Development Kit

  • Connect your development kit to your computer via USB-to-Serial.
  • Windows will detect the device but may fail to install the driver automatically.
4

Open Device Manager

  • Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
  • Expand Other devices.
  • Locate the USB Serial Port entries (may have yellow warning icons on some machines).
Device Manager showing USB Serial Ports under Other devices

Device Manager showing USB Serial Ports under Other devices

5

Update the Driver Manually

  • Right-click one of the USB Serial Port entries and select Properties.
Right-click USB Serial Port to open Properties

Right-click USB Serial Port to open Properties

  • In the General tab, you’ll see “No drivers are installed for this device” in the Device status. Click Change settings. Windows prompts for elevated privileges — accept the prompt to continue.
Properties showing no drivers installed

Properties showing no drivers installed

  • Click on the Driver tab, then click Update Driver.
Driver tab with Update Driver button

Driver tab with Update Driver button

  • In the dialog that appears, select Browse my computer for drivers.
Select Browse my computer for drivers

Select Browse my computer for drivers

  • Click Browse and navigate to the folder where you extracted the FTDI driver files.
  • Ensure Include subfolders is checked.
  • Click Next to install the driver.
Browse to the extracted FTDI driver folder

Browse to the extracted FTDI driver folder

  • Windows will install the driver and show a success message.
Windows has successfully updated your drivers

Windows has successfully updated your drivers

Repeat this step for each USB Serial Port entry under Other devices until all have been updated with the FTDI driver.
6

Verify Installation

  • After installing the drivers for all USB Serial Port entries, open Device Manager again.
  • Expand Ports (COM & LPT).
  • All USB Serial Ports should now appear properly under Ports (COM & LPT) with assigned COM port numbers.
Device Manager showing all FTDI devices properly installed

Device Manager showing all FTDI devices properly installed

For more detailed installation instructions and troubleshooting, refer to the official FTDI installation guide: FTDI Drivers Installation Guide for Windows 10/11 (AN_396)