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Docs USB & Connectivity CP210x Driver Install

CP210x Driver Install

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Install the Silicon Labs CP210x driver on Windows, macOS and Linux so the beacon's serial port appears.

CP210x Driver Install

Most genuine ESP32 DevKit V1 boards use the Silicon Labs CP2102 / CP210x USB-UART bridge. Without its driver the beacon may power on but never show a serial port.

Do you have a CP210x chip?

  • Windows Device Manager: an unknown device or a device under “Other devices” named CP210x when the beacon is plugged in.
  • macOS: the port /dev/cu.usbserial-* appears by default (drivers ship with the OS for recent versions).
  • Linux: the cp210x kernel module is included in the kernel; the port appears as /dev/ttyUSB0 without extra installs.

Only Windows generally needs the installer.

Windows

  1. Download the CP210x Universal Windows Driver from the Silicon Labs site (search “CP210x VCP driver”).
  2. Run the installer (CP210xVCPInstaller_x64.exe).
  3. Unplug and replug the beacon.
  4. Device Manager should now show Silicon Labs CP210x USB to UART Bridge (COMx) under Ports (COM and LPT).

If it still shows an unknown device, unplug the beacon, uninstall the unknown entry, and replug.

macOS

Recent macOS versions include the driver. If the port does not appear, install the Silicon Labs VCP driver package for macOS and reboot once.

Linux

Nothing to do. If the port does not appear, the cable is charge-only (see USB Cable Types).

Verify

Open the port at 115200 baud and reset the board; you should see the boot banner and the AEGIS:HELLO: line. See Serial Port Detection.