Guide: Installing Cisco USB Console Driver 3.1 (Cisco_usbconsole_driver_3_1.zip)
To establish a terminal connection to a Cisco device using its USB Mini-Type B console port, you must first install the specific manufacturer driver on your Windows PC. The Cisco USB Console Driver 3.1 provides the necessary virtual COM port interface for terminal emulators like PuTTY or SecureCRT to communicate with the hardware. 1. Download the Driver
The driver is officially hosted on the Cisco Software Download Center. Search for: "Cisco USB Console Software". Filename: Cisco_usbconsole_driver_3_1.zip.
Note: You will need a valid Cisco.com account to download the file. 2. Installation Procedure
Once you have the .zip file, follow these steps to install it on Windows: Properly Installing Cisco USB Console Driver
Cisco USB Console Driver (Cisco_usbconsole_driver_3_1.zip) is a utility for Windows that enables a virtual COM port interface, allowing you to manage Cisco networking equipment via a USB connection. How to Install the Driver : Log in to your Cisco.com account usb console software 31 ciscousbconsoledriver31zip install
and navigate to the software download page for a supported switch or router. : Right-click the downloaded CiscousbConsoleDriver31.zip and extract its contents to a folder on your PC. : Open the folder and double-click the (or similar installation file). Install Wizard : Follow the prompts in the Cisco Virtual Com InstallShield Wizard when complete. Connect Hardware
: Plug the USB console cable into your PC’s USB port and the device's port labeled "Console". Windows Device Manager and look under Ports (COM & LPT)
to ensure the "Cisco USB Console" is listed with a designated COM port. Cisco Community Connecting to the Console Once installed, you can use a terminal emulator like to access the command-line interface (CLI). Instructables Connection Type Serial Line : Enter the COM port found in Device Manager (e.g., COM3) Speed (Baud) : 9600 (default for most Cisco devices) Troubleshooting Tips Properly Installing Cisco USB Console Driver
The Cisco USB Console Driver 3.1 (filename: Cisco_usbconsole_driver_3_1.zip) is the standard legacy software required to connect a Windows PC to the USB Mini-Type B console port found on Cisco routers and switches. Released around late 2014, it allows your computer to treat the USB connection as a virtual COM port for terminal emulation (like PuTTY or Tera Term). Installation Steps: The "Full Story"
Getting this driver to work often requires more than just running the installer, especially on newer versions of Windows. Preparation: Guide: Installing Cisco USB Console Driver 3
Disconnect the blue Cisco USB console cable from your computer before starting.
Uninstall any previous versions of the Cisco USB driver via Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs. Initial Install: Extract the contents of Cisco_usbconsole_driver_3_1.zip.
Navigate to the subfolder matching your OS: Windows_32 or Windows_64.
Right-click setup(x64).exe (for 64-bit) or setup.exe (for 32-bit) and select Run as Administrator.
Follow the prompts and reboot your computer when finished. Post-Reboot Configuration: Plug the USB cable into your PC and the Cisco device. Open Device Manager and look under Ports (COM & LPT). Step 3: Setup Wizard
If you see "Cisco USB to Serial Adapter" but it isn't working, right-click it and select Update Driver Software.
Choose "Browse my computer for driver software" > "Let me pick from a list...". Select "Cisco Serial" from the list and click Next. Critical Troubleshooting Tips USB Console Driver and Windows 7 - Page 3 - Cisco Community
USB Console Software 31 (often distributed as CiscousbConsoleDriver31.zip) is a Windows‑based utility that provides a virtual COM‑port interface for Cypress‑based USB devices. It lets developers and technicians communicate with the device’s firmware console for debugging, firmware updates, and configuration without needing a full‑featured IDE.
Key purposes:
COMx in Device Manager.The CiscoUsbConsoleDriver31.zip package contains the driver software required to establish a terminal connection between a Microsoft Windows PC and Cisco networking hardware (such as Catalyst switches, ISR routers, and firewalls) via USB Type-A or USB Type-C ports.
Prior to this driver, administrators relied on legacy DB-9 serial ports and RJ-45 rollover cables. The USB Console driver virtualizes a COM port, allowing standard terminal emulators (like PuTTY, TeraTerm, or SecureCRT) to communicate with Cisco hardware over a USB cable.
ciscousbconsoledriver31.zipa1b2c3d4e5f6... (check Cisco’s official README for the exact hash)