THIS IS NOT PROLIFIC PL2303. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SUPPLIER. in Device Manager. Printer fails to print as a result.
Devices with the PL-2303 TA Chipset are no longer supported and marked as End Of Life, but you may come across sites that have updated to Windows 11 with them in use.
UPDATE: Windows 10 also will attempt to update the driver which breaks it.
When this is the case, the Prolific USB-to-Serial driver will rename itself, as seen below.
THIS IS NOT PROLIFIC PL2303. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR SUPPLIER.
Fix:
In order for these adapters to function on Windows 11, you must install a particular version of the driver attached below. Same driver version recommended for Windows 10 as well.
Device Manager - right-click on the broken driver and Uninstall (tick the "remove driver" checkbox).
Install the v1200 driver package as attached. Reboot.
PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v1200
Sometimes, it won't accept the driver properly (or the driver does install but printer still throws up an error) - in that case Browse manually and get a list of Available drivers. Select the 2018 or earlier driver. Reboot.
If Windows attempts to update the driver again - within device manager there is an option to "Roll-back driver". Select "my apps don't work with the driver" option. Select the 2018 or earlier driver.
Note: After all this the COM PORT number may have changed. Double check and update in Idealpos if necessary.
Additional Fix:
You may also want to disable driver updates via Windows Update using Group Policy.
Win key + R - in the Run box enter gpedit.msc, and hit OK. This will open the Local Group Policy Editor.
Use the left pane to navigate to Computer Configuration > Administrative Templates > Windows Components > Windows Update > Manage updates offered from Windows Update.)
Double-click the Do not include drivers with Windows Updates policy and enable it.