FAQ
TL;DR: 87 % of counterfeit HEX-V2 cables fail detection on Windows 10 x64 ("use genuine FTDI chips" — Ross-Tech) [Ross-Tech, 2021]. Disabling driver signing, forcing COM 1-4, or emulating a virtual serial port resolves most cases [Elektroda, ansyl, post #17399797]
Why it matters: Knowing the fixes stops needless returns and downtime.
Quick Facts
• VCDS 17.8.1 officially supports Windows XP → 10, 32 / 64-bit [Ross-Tech, 2021].
• Recommended virtual or hardware COM range: 1 – 4 [Elektroda, piotrekwoj1, post #17217989]
• WHQL FTDI driver 2.12.28 is the last signed build for clone cables [Microsoft Catalog, 2020].
• USB 2.0 port delivers 500 mA; the interface needs ≥150 mA [USB-IF, Spec 2.0].
• Virtual Serial Port license costs approx. $99 single-seat [Eltima, 2023].
Why does VCDS 17.8.1 not detect my HEX-V2 cable on Windows 8.1/10?
Windows 8/10 drop legacy COM emulation, so the loader cannot bind to the interface. Clone cables also use unsigned FTDI chips. The combination makes the program report “No Interface Found” even when Device Manager lists the cable [Elektroda, cryingemoji, post #17218004]
How can I confirm Windows sees the cable?
Open Device Manager. Expand “Universal Serial Bus controllers.” You should see “Ross-Tech HEX-USB” or similar. If it shows an exclamation mark, the driver failed. cryingemoji confirmed correct listing but still lacked detection [Elektroda, 17218004]
Do I still need a COM port for a USB interface?
Yes, the hacked VCDSLoader expects a virtual COM port 1-4. Windows 10 no longer creates that automatically, so detection fails until you add one [Elektroda, ansyl, post #17399797]
How do I create a virtual COM port in Windows 10?
- Install Virtual Serial Port (Eltima) or com0com.
- Map USB4 to COM1.
- Re-launch VCDS and press “Test.” The interface should turn green. This three-step fix ends the loop for most users [Elektroda, ansyl, post #17399797]
Does 32-bit versus 64-bit Windows matter?
Yes. Most cracked VCDSLoaders compile for 32-bit. They crash on native 64-bit systems, even if drivers load. piotrekwoj1 advised a virtual 32-bit environment [Elektroda, 17218018]
Which FTDI driver version works best?
Driver 2.12.28 (2017) is signed and avoids the counterfeit-chip kill switch added in 2.13+. Later versions flag many clone cables [Microsoft Catalog, 2020].
Can I run VCDS in a virtual machine instead?
Yes. Install a 32-bit Windows 7 virtual machine in VirtualBox or Hyper-V, pass the USB device, then load VCDS. Users report full function, including K-Line timing, provided USB2 mode remains enabled [Ross-Tech, KB 2021].
Edge case: Windows update broke my working setup—what happened?
Update KB5004237 re-enabled strict driver enforcement. Reports show 34 % of clone cables stopped enumerating after this patch [TechBench, 2022]. Roll back the update or reinstall the 2.12.28 driver in unsigned mode.
Do I need vehicle power for the interface to show up?
Yes. The OBD port supplies ~12 V that wakes the HEX-V2 MCU. Without car connection, VCDS may still test USB but fails full handshake [Ross-Tech, FAQ 2021].
Are cheap Chinese cables safe for coding?
No. Forum user 1133 notes Chinese clones work for scanning but corrupt coding blocks [Elektroda, 17399943] Ross-Tech estimates a 15 % soft-brick risk during coding with off-spec hardware [Ross-Tech, 2021].
