Analysis of " FT232RL-REEL USB Port Not Working After Windows Update" Issue: Causes and Solutions
Problem Overview: You may encounter an issue where your FT232RL-REEL USB-to-Serial converter stops working after a Windows update. This is a common issue that can occur due to changes in the USB Drivers , settings, or compatibility issues caused by the update.
Possible Causes of the Issue:
Driver Corruption or Misconfiguration: After a Windows update, existing Drivers may become outdated or corrupted, causing devices like the FT232RL-REEL to stop functioning correctly.
Incompatibility with Windows Update: Sometimes, Windows updates introduce new drivers or changes that may not be compatible with older USB devices. This could render your FT232RL-REEL USB port unresponsive or malfunctioning.
USB Port Settings Reset: Some updates can reset or change USB Power Management or other settings, which could impact how the FT232RL-REEL operates on your system.
Power Management Issues: Windows might have altered power management settings for USB devices after the update, causing them to be powered off or not function as expected.
FTDI Chipset Issues: The FT232RL-REEL uses an FTDI chipset. If Windows updates the FTDI driver or system libraries, it may not be compatible with the FT232RL-REEL, leading to malfunctions.
Step-by-Step Solution to Fix the Issue:
Step 1: Check Device Manager for Errors Press Win + X and select Device Manager. Look for Universal Serial Bus Controllers and locate the FT232RL-REEL or a similar USB-to-Serial device. Check if there’s a yellow triangle or any error message next to the device. This could indicate a driver problem. Step 2: Reinstall FT232RL Drivers Go to the FTDI website and download the latest drivers for the FT232RL series. Uninstall the current driver: Right-click the FT232RL device in Device Manager. Select Uninstall device. Restart your PC. Once the computer restarts, install the new FTDI drivers you downloaded. Reconnect your FT232RL device and see if it works. Step 3: Rollback Windows Update If the device was working before the update, try rolling back the update: Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update. Select View update history. Click on Uninstall updates. Look for the recent update and uninstall it. Restart your system and check if the FT232RL USB port starts working again. Step 4: Check USB Power Management Settings Go to Control Panel > Power Options. Select Change plan settings next to your active power plan. Click Change advanced power settings. Expand the USB settings and disable USB selective suspend setting. Save the changes and restart your PC. Step 5: Disable Fast Startup Open Control Panel > Power Options. Click on Choose what the power buttons do. Select Change settings that are currently unavailable. Uncheck Turn on fast startup under Shutdown settings. Save the changes and restart your PC. Step 6: Update USB and Chipset Drivers In Device Manager, right-click your USB controllers and select Update driver. Select Search automatically for updated driver software. Repeat this for your chipset drivers as well (if available). Restart your computer after updating the drivers. Step 7: Test on a Different USB Port or ComputerIf the issue persists, try connecting the FT232RL-REEL to another USB port or a different computer to see if the problem is specific to the USB port or your system.
Conclusion:
The issue of the FT232RL-REEL USB port not working after a Windows update is often related to driver compatibility, USB settings, or power management issues. By following the above troubleshooting steps, such as reinstalling the drivers, rolling back the update, and adjusting power settings, you should be able to restore functionality to the USB port. If the problem persists, consider checking with FTDI support for more advanced troubleshooting.