Prolific Technology Inc. makes the PL2303 chipset, one of the most common USB-to-serial bridge controllers. It’s used in countless cables and adapters to connect older serial (RS-232) devices — like routers, GPS receivers, industrial scales, and programming tools — to modern computers without a built-in COM port.
How to Download, Install, and Troubleshoot Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port Driver (Version 3.2.0.0, 2021)
This is a driver for Prolific PL2303 chipset-based USB-to-RS232 serial adapters. prolific usb to serial comm port version 32 00 download 2021
Prolific intentionally disabled older, counterfeit PL2303 chips in drivers released after ~2012–2013.
If your adapter uses an unofficial (clone) chip, any driver newer than v3.3.x will show Code 10 (device cannot start).
That’s why people search for version 32 00 (3.2.0.0) — it’s one of the last versions that still works with many clone chips, especially on Windows 7, 8, and early Windows 10. Prolific Technology Inc
Version 32.00 refers to a specific driver package released by Prolific Technology Inc. for their PL-2303 USB-to-Serial bridge controllers. This version number is significant because it marks a turning point in Prolific’s driver policy.
| Driver Version | Works with genuine PL2303 | Works with clones | Windows 10/11 support | |----------------|----------------------------|------------------|------------------------| | 3.2.0.0 (32 00) | ✅ | ✅ (often) | Limited (may cause BSOD) | | 3.3.x+ | ✅ | ❌ (Code 10) | Full | | 3.8.x+ (official) | ✅ | ❌ | Full | Version 32
So “32 00” is sought mainly for clone adapters on older OSes.
Windows 10 and 11 usually try to install version 3.4 or newer automatically via Windows Update. This is often what causes the "Code 10" error on fake chips.
| Error | Solution |
|-------|----------|
| Code 10 (Device cannot start) | You have a counterfeit chip, or Windows forced a newer driver. Reinstall with driver signature enforcement disabled (hold Shift while clicking Restart → Troubleshoot → Startup Settings → Disable driver signature enforcement). |
| Code 31 (Driver is not installed properly) | Run the installer in Windows 7 compatibility mode (right-click → Properties → Compatibility → Windows 7). |
| COM port number too high (>16) | Open Device Manager → Ports → Advanced → Change COM port number to COM3 or COM4. |
| Driver disappears after reboot | Disable Windows Update driver search via Group Policy: gpedit.msc → Computer Config → Admin Templates → System → Device Installation → Specify driver source. |