Motorola Scanner Virtual USB COM Port (COM3) Driver

The Motorola Scanner Virtual USB COM Port (COM3) driver lets compatible Motorola barcode scanners communicate with Windows through a virtual serial connection over USB. It allows scanning software configured for a COM port to receive barcode data without a physical serial connector.

Key Features

• Virtual COM port communication: Provides a serial-style interface over USB for applications that read scanner data through a COM port.
• Support for serial-based workflows: Enables compatible barcode scanners to work with inventory, checkout, and data-entry software that expects serial input.
• Windows device recognition: Helps Windows identify the scanner’s USB serial interface so you can locate its assigned port in Device Manager.
• Application configuration: Makes the assigned COM port available for selection in compatible software. Although the device may appear as COM3, Windows can assign a different port number.

How to Install

1. Check compatibility before downloading. Confirm your scanner model and Windows version, then choose a driver package that explicitly supports your setup. For Windows 11, 10, 8, or 7, verify both operating-system support and the required system architecture, such as 32-bit or 64-bit.

1. Prepare the scanner. Close any software that uses it and follow the package instructions about when to connect the USB cable. Some scanners must be placed in USB CDC or virtual COM mode using a configuration barcode from the model’s user guide.

1. Install the driver. Extract the download if necessary and run the installer with administrator privileges. If the package contains only driver files, open Device Manager, locate the scanner or unidentified USB device, select Update driver, and browse to the extracted folder.

1. Confirm the port assignment. Connect or reconnect the scanner as instructed. In Device Manager, check Ports (COM & LPT) for the Motorola scanner entry and note its COM number. Restart Windows if the installer requests it.

1. Configure and test your application. Select the matching COM port in your scanning software and apply any communication settings required by the scanner’s documentation. Scan a test barcode to confirm that data arrives correctly.

If the scanner does not appear, check its USB operating mode, try another USB port, and verify that the downloaded driver supports your exact model. A scanner configured as a USB keyboard may send barcode text directly without exposing a virtual COM port.

Common Issues and Fixes

• Install fails or COM3 is not created: Run the Motorola/Symbol driver installer as administrator, remove any older virtual COM port driver, reboot, then reconnect the scanner. Confirm COM3 appears under Ports in Device Manager.
• Scanner not detected: Use a direct USB port and a data-capable cable, power-cycle the scanner, and check that it is in USB virtual COM/CDC mode rather than HID keyboard mode. Rescan for hardware.
• Driver/version conflicts: Uninstall conflicting Motorola/Symbol COM port entries, install the driver version matching your scanner model and Windows architecture, and free COM3 if another device is using it.