When clicking on it, one of 3 codes show up: 1, 18, and 28, but they all result in the same error. Whenever I try to reinstall/update the driver, I always get the same error:
I've tried both the automatic and manual methods for installing this driver (the CH340), but they all give frustratingly vague errors. I've tried installing directly via the manufacturer and again, gives a pointless and vague error:
It doesn't matter if I try uninstalling then reinstalling with/without the board plugged in. Same thing if I try to do it through the Device Manager. I've also tried several different USB-A to micro-USB type A cables plugged into different spots in my computer and still nothing. I've also tried multiple different ESP32-C3s and they all have the same problem.
I've scoured online for answers, but I haven't seen anything about the device not being recognized like this or this specific error. I saw a thread about using a cable that's for data transfer, which my cables do have data transfer listed. I can't switch to micro-USB C since my ESP32-C3 uses a micro-USB type A port. I'm currently using Windows 11. I'm genuinely at a loss and I have to figure this out because this is time-sensitive for me. If anyone knows anything about this, please, I seriously need some advice, thank you!
First look at the Related topics at the bottom of the page. My memory is not so good but I think this has come up a few times and IIRC you will need to install an older version, but first check
Thank you for the quick response, but unfortunately, I did mention I've already scoured the internet, and that includes this forum. None of the related topics have the same kind of error as me, their solutions just didn't work, or there was never a solution found in that thread. Same goes for manually searching CH340 on this forum.
For example: installing the 2019 version of the CH340 driver instead. Neither that or the 2024 version work for me:
I've also tried system restores and completely deleting the driver files from my System32 folder. That's why I made this thread: I genuinely couldn't find a solution online after hours of searching.
The main reason I left windows for Mac is device manager.
I assume you have looked at the chip on the esp32. Googling the exact ch340 model as in CH340G often yields better results.
I am out of ideas, if as you say you have followed the very detailed instructions the gurus posted in the related topics, there is nothing more I can add.
Good luck.
It is working for me now. I have occasionally found the WCH website to be down when trying to access it over the years. It is generally back up by the time I check it again later.
Alternatively, you can fall back to using their primary site:
This site uses the Chinese language, but if that is a problem you can just use Google Translate (or your machine translation service of choice) to translate the website to your preferred language.
My camera refuses to take a clear picture, but no, the chip directly on the board in my hand clearly has WCH CH340C on it. Not only that, but I do have an ESP32 DOIT DevKit V1 and ESP8266 and both of those work fine with their CP210x drivers. Also, I apologize, but I do not trust Google's AI summaries. Those are very prone to misinformation/hallucinations.
I'm also not quite sure what "Code zip" you're referring to or where you downloaded it from.
Note that you can install the driver for the CH340 without connecting the board; you should get a message in the line of "driver pre-installed successfully".
When I uninstalled the CH340 driver completely, the Device Manager says it cannot find any drivers, but also says there are no compatible drivers for the device:
Please post the VID and PID here. You you also can search the web; I often use https://devicehunt.com (there are others). Select USB for the type and fill in the numbers that you found.
The "vendor ID" (VID) is 1a86. The "device ID" ( PID, for "product ID") is 7523.
The 0264 is a hardware revision number. That number is not generally something we find a use for, and it is not utilized by the website @sterretje directed you to. The VID/PID pair alone is sufficient to identify the model of the USB chip.
After adjusting based on that, it is beyond a shadow of a doubt a CH340 serial device:
But unfortunately, I'm not sure how this information can be used to get my PC to recognize the device since I've already tried installing the CH340 in multiple ways.
Based on the numbers that you gave I do not know why Windows would have a problem, specifically because your other boards seem to work with the same driver; only thing might be the revision of the chip (your 0264).
An ESP32-C3 does not need a CH340 chip.
It doesn't have a dual-core processor either (a C3 is single-core).
Something fishy going on with that Amazon board.
The 0264 is the revision.
