To fix the console cable driver issue, you must identify its internal chipset (usually FTDI or Prolific) and install the corresponding Virtual COM Port (VCP) driver. The "AWM 20251" label typically refers to the physical cable specification (voltage/temperature rating) rather than the electronic driver itself. Microsoft Learn Step 1: Identify Your Chipset
Before downloading, you need to know which manufacturer's chip is inside your cable's USB plug. Microsoft Learn Plug the cable into your computer. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager "Other devices" "Ports (COM & LPT)"
. You will likely see a yellow warning icon next to a device named "USB-Serial Controller" or "AWM USB Interface". Right-click it > Properties Hardware Ids from the dropdown. : You need : You need Microsoft Learn Step 2: Download & Install the Correct Driver
Based on your ID from Step 1, use the official sources below: For FTDI Chipsets (Recommended)
Most modern console cables (like those for Cisco or Juniper) use FTDI. : Get the latest FTDI VCP Drivers for Windows 10/11.
: If it still shows an error, use the executable installer from the FTDI website
to pre-install the drivers before plugging the cable back in. For Prolific Chipsets
Common in older or budget cables. Windows 11 often blocks older "PL2303" chips. : Visit the Prolific Support Page (use Guest/Guest to log in) and download the Windows Driver.
: If you see a "Code 10" error, you may need to "Roll Back" the driver to an older version (e.g., v3.2.0.0) via Device Manager. Step 3: Verify the Connection
Once installed, the device should appear in Device Manager under Ports (COM & LPT) as "USB Serial Port (COMx)". COM number
(e.g., COM3). Use this number in your terminal software like with standard settings: 9600 baud, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit awm 20251 console cable driver download fix
Are you seeing a specific error code like "Code 10" or "Code 43" in your Device Manager? USB Serial Port Driver for console cable - Problem Solved 28 Aug 2021 —
This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough for resolving driver issues related to the AWM 20251 Console Cable. 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
If you’ve plugged in your AWM 20251 console cable and see a yellow exclamation mark in your Device Manager—or if your terminal emulator (like PuTTY or Tera Term) won't recognize the COM port—you are likely dealing with a driver compatibility issue. 1. Identify Your Chipset
The "AWM 20251" text on the cable jacket actually refers to the wiring standard (UL rating), not the internal chip. To fix the driver, you must identify the hardware inside the USB connector: Right-click Start and select Device Manager. Expand Ports (COM & LPT) or Other Devices. Right-click the problematic device and select Properties.
Go to the Details tab, select Hardware Ids from the dropdown. Look for VID_XXXX&PID_XXXX. VID 067B: Prolific Chipset (Most common for AWM 20251). VID 0403: FTDI Chipset. 2. Download the Correct Driver
Once identified, download the official driver from the manufacturer:
For Prolific (PL2303): Visit the Prolific Official Website. Note that many older "AWM 20251" cables use "End-of-Life" PL2303HXA chips which are not supported on Windows 11.
For FTDI: Visit the FTDI VCP Drivers page. These are generally "plug-and-play" on most systems. 3. The "Code 10" or "Code 38" Fix (Windows 10/11)
If you see "This device cannot start (Code 10)" after installing the driver, you are likely using a legacy Prolific chip. Windows automatically updates to a newer driver version that intentionally disables older chips. The Fix: Right-click the device in Device Manager > Update Driver. Select Browse my computer for drivers.
Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer. To fix the console cable driver issue, you
Choose an older version (e.g., version 3.3.2 or 3.8.x from 2008–2015).
Click Next and Close. The device should now show as "Working Properly." 4. Terminal Configuration Settings
After the driver is fixed, ensure your software is configured to talk to the cable: Baud Rate: 9600 (Standard for Cisco/Console). Data bits: 8 Stop bits: 1 Parity: None Flow Control: None Summary Checklist Potential Solution Yellow Exclamation Mark Install Prolific/FTDI Driver Code 10 Error Roll back to an older driver version No COM Port assigned Change USB ports or check "Hardware IDs" Garbage Text in PuTTY Match the Baud Rate (usually 9600 or 115200)
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.
Are you seeing a specific Error Code in your Device Manager, or should we verify your COM port number next?
To fix issues with your console cable, you need to identify and install the correct USB-to-Serial chipset driver rather than searching for the cable's physical model number. The text printed on your cable, "AWM 20251"
, is not the manufacturer's part number or the name of the electronic chip inside. It is simply a standardized UL (Underwriters Laboratories) raw cable specification code
indicating the wire's temperature, voltage rating, and physical properties.
Below is a troubleshooting report and fix guide to get your console cable working. 🛑 The Core Problem
When you plug an AWM 20251 coded cable into your computer, the operating system (like Windows 11) usually fails to recognize it. This happens because the computer reads the hardware ID of the internal converter chip—not the wire itself—and cannot find a matching driver. Microsoft Community Hub What is an AWM 20251 Console Cable
Most blue, black, or flat RJ45-to-USB console cables on the market use one of three primary chipsets: (Most common and reliable) Prolific (PL2303) (Common in older or budget cables) Silicon Labs (CP210x) (Often used in networking gear like Cisco or Juniper) Microsoft Community Hub 🔍 Step 1: Identify Your Exact Chipset
Before downloading any software, you must find out which chip your specific cable is using. Plug the USB console cable into your computer. Right-click the Windows Start button and select Device Manager Look for a category named Ports (COM & LPT) Other Devices Look for an entry with a yellow warning triangle (e.g., "USB Serial Port" "Unknown Device" Right-click that device and select Properties Click the drop-down menu and choose Hardware Ids (Vendor ID) and (Product ID) codes: : You need an : You need a : You need a Silicon Labs Microsoft Community Hub 📥 Step 2: Download the Official Driver PL2303 issues (Prolific USB to Serial Drivers) Win 11
Visit the website of the device manufacturer or the Prolific website to see if there are updated drivers available for Windows 11. Microsoft Community Hub USB-TO-RJ45-Console-Cable - Waveshare Wiki
The AWM 20251 designation refers to the cable's physical insulation, with functionality requiring specific chipset drivers—such as Cisco USB, Prolific PL2303, or FTDI—to be identified via Device Manager. If driver installation fails to resolve connectivity, updating to specific, older chipset drivers or reassigning COM ports can resolve common "Code 10" errors. For specific troubleshooting, consult the Cisco Community Microsoft Community Hub PL2303 issues (Prolific USB to Serial Drivers) Win 11
Installer driver setup: * https://www.prolific.com.tw/US/CustomerLogin.aspx. * Sign in with your Private Account. Or enter "GUEST" Microsoft Community Hub Mini-USB console port problem - Cisco Learning Network
The marking AWM 20251 appears on the cable jacket and refers to a UL safety standard for appliance wiring—not the chipset. Typically, these cables are USB to RJ45 (or USB to DB9) serial adapters used to connect a computer’s USB port to the console port of networking gear (Cisco, Juniper, MikroTik, Ubiquiti, HP, etc.). The cable contains a small electronic chip inside the USB connector that converts USB signals to RS-232 serial.
Common vendors selling AWM 20251 cables:
The driver issue arises because:
| Error | Cause | Fix |
|-------|-------|-----|
| Code 10 | New driver with old chip | Install v3.4.63.290 with signature enforcement off |
| Code 31 | Driver corrupt or mismatched | Uninstall all serial drivers with pnputil -e and purge |
| “Device cannot start (Code 10)” after legacy driver | Windows Update replaced driver | Disable automatic driver updates: System → Advanced System Settings → Hardware → Device Installation Settings → “No” |
| COM port number > 20 | Serial port collision | In Device Manager → Port Settings → Advanced → Change COM port to COM3-COM9 |
| Works on USB 2.0 but not USB 3.0 | Power management / signal levels | Use a USB 2.0 hub between USB 3.0 port and cable |
Make sure you downloaded the 64-bit driver if your OS is 64-bit. The CH341SER.EXE handles both.
FTDI drivers are built into Windows Update, but if missing: