: Used for software that needs direct access to the FTDI chip without going through a COM port. These are available on the FTDI D2XX Drivers page Key Features of the FT231X Data Transfer Rates : Supports baud rates from 300 baud up to 3 Mbaud Full Handshake UART

Last updated: Q2 2026. Article includes verified driver links and procedures for the FT231X USB UART chip. All advice follows FTDI’s official documentation.

With the correct driver installed, your FT231X-based device will reliably enumerate as a COM port (Windows), /dev/tty.usbserial (macOS), or /dev/ttyUSB0 (Linux). Whether you're debugging an embedded system, programming an ESP32 via a serial adapter, or building a custom USB peripheral, a properly installed FT231X driver is your foundation for stable communication.

The FT231X is a popular USB to serial UART bridge chip manufactured by FTDI (Future Technology Devices International). It is ubiquitous in the hobbyist electronics world. You will find it hiding on the bottom of ESP32 dev boards, acting as the interface for Arduino Pro Micros, or serving as the communication bridge for countless custom PCBs.

1. Device Shows "Error Code 10" or "Error Code 43" in Windows

Issue 3: Drivers Fail to Install on Windows Core Isolation / Memory Integrity

Open Device Manager and expand the Ports (COM & LPT) section to verify which COM port number has been assigned (e.g., COM3, COM4). If it is listed under "Universal Serial Bus controllers" instead, your driver configuration is set to D2XX direct mode instead of VCP. You can toggle this behavior in the device's properties tab under advanced settings. 3. Counterfeit / Non-Genuine FTDI Chips

Follow the setup wizard, accept the license agreement, and click .

Open Device Manager . Expand the Ports (COM & LPT) section. You should clearly see USB Serial Port (COMx) listed without any warning icons.

Extract the downloaded FTDI ZIP archive to a folder on your Desktop.

Click and then Next to let the device installer write the .inf configurations. Plug your FT231X hardware into a functional USB port. Method B: Manual Installation via Device Manager

If you need help configuring specific hardware parameters, please share: Your version.

https://ftdichip.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/CDM212364_Setup.zip

If you are dealing with a specific error code or unusual hardware setup, tell me: What and version are you running?

By following this guide, you should be able to successfully download, install, and troubleshoot the FT231X USB-UART drivers, enabling communication with your serial devices.

Download the Windows "Setup Executable" ZIP or the "No-installer" architecture ZIP from the FTDI table.

Follow the on-screen prompts. You will need to enter your Mac’s administrator password.

You need this driver if your device manager shows any of these scenarios:

Direct Download (macOS 11/12/13/14+)

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James is a musician and writer from Scotland. An avid synth fan, sound designer, and coffee drinker. Sometimes found wandering around Europe with an MPC in hand.

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