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COM port not listed in Device Manager, although the port works

A COM port (COM3) that works when I connect through Putty, is not listed in "Device Manager" under "Ports (COM & LTP)". This causes some application to not be able to connect to the port because it's not listed under that class (except programs that allow you to manually type the port number, like Putty).

So, why is COM3 not listed in Device Manager ?

You can see all the details in the picture below.

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Hi Chris,

Thank you for being part of Microsoft Community.

COM port should be listed in Device Manager under Ports (COM & LPT).

See if you can find them. If they're not listed in the Device Manager, you can try these suggestions to see what’s preventing the ports from getting displayed in device manager.

Method 1: Check for hidden devices as below and check if it helps.

  1. Press Windows+X and click on Device Manager.
  2. Click on View menu and select Show hidden devices. See if this helps in getting the ports to list.

Method 2: Install the latest drivers for your motherboard. See if this proves to be of any help.

Device manufacturers often release updates to their drivers to enhance performance or fix compatibility issues. To get the latest driver, visit the support section of your motherboard manufacturer’s website.

Hope this information was helpful and do let us know if you need further assistance. We will be glad to assist.

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Question Info

Last updated March 25, 2025 Views 869 Applies to: