# Device Not Recognized by Spike Recorder: How to fix FT231X Driver Issue?

**URL:** <https://forum.backyardbrains.com/t/device-not-recognized-by-spike-recorder-how-to-fix-ft231x-driver-issue/84>\
**Category:** Software\
**Created:** [May 15, 2025, 9:58pm UTC](https://forum.backyardbrains.com/t/device-not-recognized-by-spike-recorder-how-to-fix-ft231x-driver-issue/84 "2025-05-15T21:58:13Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![marija](https://forum.backyardbrains.com/user_avatar/forum.backyardbrains.com/marija/32/57_2.png) [@marija](https://forum.backyardbrains.com/u/marija)\
**Post date:** [May 15, 2025, 9:58pm UTC](https://forum.backyardbrains.com/t/device-not-recognized-by-spike-recorder-how-to-fix-ft231x-driver-issue/84/1 "2025-05-15T21:58:13Z")

</div>

If you’ve connected your **Heart & Brain SpikerBox** , **Neuron SpikerBox Classic** , or **Human-Human Interface** to your computer and the device is not recognized by **Spike Recorder** , this guide will help you resolve the issue.

When you check **Device Manager** , you might see an entry such as:

 ![](https://forum.backyardbrains.com/uploads/default/original/1X/386c35f42264c9477fb21610e1a24b61b05cc732.jpeg)

`FT231X USB UART` with a yellow exclamation mark. This indicates a driver issue.

These devices use **FTDI VCP (Virtual COM Port)** drivers. FTDI (Future Technology Devices International) is the manufacturer of the USB interface chip used in these boards. VCP drivers allow the USB device to appear as a COM port on your computer. Without the correct driver, the operating system will not recognize the device.

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## Step-by-Step Guide to Fix the Driver Issue

### Step 1: Download the Correct Driver

Visit the FTDI website to download the VCP driver:

**[FTDI VCP Drivers Download Page](https://ftdichip.com/drivers/vcp-drivers/)**

Choose the appropriate version based on your operating system and CPU architecture:

- For **Windows** , download driver version **2.12.28**.
- Choose:
  - `x86` for 32-bit systems
  - `x64` for 64-bit systems
  - `ARM` for Apple Silicon processors (M1, M2, etc.)  
 ![](https://forum.backyardbrains.com/uploads/default/original/1X/dc254e15410d84435eb08409df12c4bc20786487.png)

Once downloaded, the driver will be saved as a `.zip` file in your selected directory.

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### Step 2: Install the Driver

You have two options for installation:

#### Option A: Automatic Installation

This is the recommended and simpler method.

1. Download the **FTDI CDM setup executable** from the same FTDI driver page.
2. Run the setup `.exe` file.
3. Follow the installation process outlined in the official guide, pages 6 to 9, Chapter 3.3.

**Important:**  
Plug in your SpikerBox **only after** the setup `.exe` has been executed. This ensures proper device detection and driver configuration.

**Driver Installation Guide (Windows 10/11):**

> **[AN\_396-FTDI-Drivers-Installation-Guide-for-Windows-10\_11.pdf](https://ftdichip.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/AN_396-FTDI-Drivers-Installation-Guide-for-Windows-10_11.pdf)**
>
> 1399.34 KB

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#### Option B: Manual Installation

If the automatic method does not resolve the issue, you can install the drivers manually.

1. Follow the step-by-step manual installation instructions in the same guide.
2. Refer to **page 8** , Chapter 3.3, of the PDF for detailed instructions.

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## Final Notes

Once installed correctly, the FTDI driver will allow your device to appear as a COM port in Device Manager, and **Spike Recorder** will be able to interface with it.

If the device is still not recognized:

- Double-check that you have used the correct driver version for your architecture (x86, x64, ARM).
- Ensure that the device is connected only after the software installation is complete.
- Make sure no other conflicting USB or COM port drivers are interfering.

For further assistance, feel free to reach out to our team, we’re here to help.