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CH340C Driver Signing Issues on Windows – What to Do

CH340C Driver Signing Issues on Windows – What to Do

When you're trying to install the CH340C driver on a Windows machine, you may encounter a "Driver Signing" issue. This issue occurs when Windows is unable to verify that the driver has been signed by a trusted publisher. Let’s break down the reasons for this problem and how to solve it step by step.

Why This Happens:

The CH340C driver signing issue arises primarily due to the following reasons:

Unsigned Drivers : Many CH340C drivers available online might not have proper signatures or certificates that Windows expects for security purposes. If the driver isn’t signed, Windows blocks its installation, as it considers unsigned drivers as potentially unsafe. Windows Security Features: Newer versions of Windows, especially from Windows 8 onward, include stricter security policies, such as "Driver Signature Enforcement," which only allows the installation of drivers that have been signed by a trusted source. Driver Version Conflicts: Sometimes, the version of the driver you are trying to install may be outdated or not fully compatible with the version of Windows you're using.

How to Fix the Driver Signing Issue:

Solution 1: Temporarily Disable Driver Signature Enforcement

To bypass the driver signature check temporarily, you can disable the feature in Windows. This method is useful if you trust the driver you’re installing.

Open the Settings Menu: Click on the Start menu and select Settings. Go to Update & Security > Recovery. Under Advanced startup, click on Restart Now. Your system will reboot to a special options menu. Disable Driver Signature Enforcement: After your computer restarts, you’ll see a menu with several options. Select Troubleshoot > Advanced options > Startup Settings > Restart. Once your PC restarts again, press F7 to choose Disable driver signature enforcement. Your PC will boot up normally, but with the signature enforcement disabled. Install the CH340C Driver: Now that the signature enforcement is disabled, try installing the CH340C driver again. It should install without issues. Re-enable Driver Signature Enforcement: After installation, it’s recommended to re-enable the driver signature enforcement for security purposes. Follow the same steps but choose Enable driver signature enforcement instead. Solution 2: Use an Official Signed Driver

Sometimes, the driver you're using may not be signed correctly. It's always a good idea to download drivers from the official CH340 chip manufacturer’s website or a trusted source.

Visit the official website of the manufacturer of the CH340 chip and download the latest version of the driver. Ensure that the downloaded driver has been signed by the manufacturer or a trusted authority. Install the driver by double-clicking the setup file. Solution 3: Install the Driver in Compatibility Mode

If you’re using a Windows version that is not fully compatible with the driver version, you can try installing the driver in compatibility mode.

Right-click on the driver installation file and choose Properties. Go to the Compatibility tab. Check the box for Run this program in compatibility mode for and select an older version of Windows (e.g., Windows 7 or 8). Click Apply, then OK. Now, try running the driver installer again. Solution 4: Sign the Driver Manually

If you're tech-savvy and feel confident in handling driver files, you can sign the driver manually using tools like Signtool, which is provided by Microsoft.

You will need a code-signing certificate to sign the driver manually. Use the Signtool command-line tool to sign the driver package. This solution requires some technical know-how, so it may be best for advanced users. Solution 5: Update Your Windows

Ensure that your Windows operating system is up to date. Sometimes, Windows updates might contain fixes related to driver signing enforcement and compatibility issues.

Open Settings > Update & Security. Click Check for updates and install any available updates. After updating, try reinstalling the CH340C driver.

Conclusion:

The CH340C driver signing issue can be a common problem, but it is easily solvable. By temporarily disabling driver signature enforcement, ensuring you’re using a trusted driver, or using compatibility mode, you should be able to successfully install the driver and get your device working. Always remember to enable signature enforcement again after installing the driver for your system’s security. If you’re still having trouble, updating your system or seeking out the latest driver version might solve the issue as well.