Top 2 solutions to fix Windows 10 COM port issues

Jan 19, 2021

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Windows 10 COM port issues

As a Windows 10 user, you may face a challenge trying to locate virtual COM ports in the Device Manager of your machine. The RS232 ports option can just be unavailable. The reason is that after a Windows 10 update, virtual COM port drivers may not load any-longer by default for devices of some types.

Dedicated app: virtual COM port driver for Windows 10

If ports COM & LPT are not shown in the Device Manager of your Windows 10 system, you can install Virtual COM Port Driver and solve this problem once and for all. This software is designed to create an unlimited number of virtual COM port pairs communicating with each other over a virtual null-modem connection.

Create COM Ports on Windows 10

All virtual serial interfaces created with the help of Virtual Serial Port Driver behave exactly like real ones, so you will have no problem finding and accessing them in the Device Manager of your machine.

Virtual Serial Port Driver

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In addition, the program offers a vast array of configurable options that can be especially useful for testing serial software and hardware.

For example, the utility lets two applications share data over virtual COM ports in such a manner that everything written by one program will immediately appear in the other one (connected to the other end of the virtual serial port pair).

How to create virtual COM ports

Here’s how you can easily create virtual COM ports on a Windows 10 PC using Virtual Serial Port Driver:

1

Download the software and install it on your machine.

2

Launch Virtual Serial Port Driver and go to the "Pair" tab. There you can either enter some custom port names manually or select ports from the drop-down menu.

3

Now, click the "Create" button and this is it! You have virtual COM ports that appear in Serial Ports

4

Explorer and the Device Manager of your system.

5

In order to delete the pair, select it in the Serial Ports Explorer, open the "Pair" tab, and hit "Delete"

Now, Let's see where Windows 10 COM Port Driver software will be a really big help. You can use the software for a variety of purposes, including:

Testing and debugging of serial applications based on null-modem connections;
Testing and debugging of virtual COM port emulators such as GPS, fax, and so on;
Testing and debugging of firmware or drivers for devices that are physically located far from your developer machine;
Testing and debugging of applications for intercepting caching/proxying data transferred over the network, etc.

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Pro version of Virtual Serial Port Driver

For those of you who are looking for a simple way to create not only virtual COM port pairs but also their bundles with various custom parameters, the app developers offer the Virtual Serial Port Driver PRO version. This edition is tailored for professional use by serial port software and hardware developers and testers.

The utility comes with a range of advanced features like:

Splitting and joining serial data streams.

You can easily split a single real RS232 port into multiple virtual COM ones that will fully emulate the physical port. Also, you’ll be able to join multiple real port data streams into virtual one which will be directed to the required app or device.

Creating bundles of real and virtual COM ports.

Virtual Serial Port Driver Pro makes it possible to create complex port bundles where multiple virtual and real serial ports can exchange the incoming data with all the other ports added to the bundle at a time.

Automatic port switcher

Anytime your application needs to connect to a serial port, the switcher option will link it to a COM port being currently free. For this, you just create a bundle of virtual COM ports that will emulate a single real one. By communicating with one of the virtual ports, your app will, in fact, talk every time to the same real interface.

Windows 10 - virtual COM port mounting. The native method

Alternatively to the third-party app, you may try the fix offered in Windows 10 OS:

Go to the Device Manager and type “Device Manager” in the lower-left corner of the screen. (See below)
Find USB to Serial Converter Settings.

Plug a USB device into your PC. In the Device Manager list, expand the “Universal Serial Bus controllers” list and right-click the “USB Serial Converter”. Now open “Properties”.
Enable the VCP Driver loading

In the device “Properties”, open the “Advanced” tab and check whether the “Load VCP” option is enabled. Then, click OK.
Replug your device

Unplug your USB device and connect it to your PC again. Now your operating system should be able to recognize the device, and Virtual COM Port Driver should be loaded.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How to find com port number in Windows 10?

Among many challenges, trying to figure out “how to find a com port number in Windows 10” while using a serial port might come up.
In order to function, certain serial devices need specific COM port numbers. Therefore, it is important to know the correct port number that your unique piece of equipment requires.
You’ll need to navigate to your Device Manager to change the COM Port Number.
Proceed as follows:

Open Device Manager by pressing “Windows Key + R”
Type “devmgmt.msc” in the search bar and hit Enter
Expand the COM and LPT Ports Drop Down Section
Right-click “COM Port” and select “Properties”
Navigate to the “Port Settings” tab
Click “Advanced”
Change the COM port number if necessary

Note: Only one Serial Port can be used per COM Port Number
Restart the computer for changes to take effect

Note: You’ll still need to restart your computer even if you change the COM port number back to the original number.

2. COM Ports Missing in Device Manager

Numerous people reported that they were unable to find the Serial Ports in Device Manager, and eagerly requested a solution.

What is the best way to locate the Windows 10 COM ports and solve the issue?

If you cannot see the COM ports, then you will need to open the Device Manager, navigate to the “View” tab, and click “Show Hidden Devices”.

The COM and LPT port options should then be visible, and the user needs only to expand the section to locate the COM ports.

An Alternative Option Is To Add Com Ports Manually:

Open Device Manager
In the menu bar, select the “Action” option
Select “Add Legacy Hardware” from the submenu. This will open the “Add Hardware” window.
Click “Next”
Check the “Install The Hardware” box in the “Advanced” drop-down and click “Next”.
Select Ports (COM and LPT) and click “Next”.
Choose the “Standard Ports Type” or your specific manufacturer ports and click “Next”.
Click “Finish” to complete the set-up

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