STLink not appearing in Device Manager

[Kat1234]

I installed stsw-link009 on my pc so I could use the STLinkv3. The PC did not see the STLink-v3. I then installed STM32Cubeprogrammer thinking that would fix the stlink driver issue but when I look under devices USB in the device manager I can not see the stlinkv3 anywhere and the STM32CubeProgrammer doesn't see it either. The same stlinkv3 works on other pcs. Since I can't see it on my pc I can't right click it to uninstall the driver so I am not sure what to do next.

Hi Kat,

This usually happens when the STLink USB driver doesn’t install correctly or gets blocked by Windows. I’d suggest first uninstalling any existing STLink or STM32-related drivers from Device Manager → Universal Serial Bus Controllers, then restarting your PC and reinstalling the latest ST-Link USB driver directly from ST’s official site. Also, try plugging the STLink-v3 into a different USB port and avoid using hubs.

I ran into a similar driver recognition issue while troubleshooting other system-level USB problems, and a step-by-step approach like the one outlined in this sa grant guide surprisingly helped me understand how Windows handles driver refresh and detection.

Hopefully this helps, let us know if it works!

[Imen.D]

Hello @Kat1234 

Ensure you have the latest drivers and firmware.

I suggest that you review this FAQ: Possible communication failure between STLINK-V3 and some recent computers.

See also: How to solve connection errors when connecting and programming the STM32 target board.

Hope that help you!

[Andrew Neil]

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@Kat1234 wrote:

 when I look under devices USB in the device manager I can not see the stlinkv3 anywhere 

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Do you even see an "unrecognised" device?

Does Device Manager do anything at all when you plug the STLink in?

 

If there isn't even an "unknown" devices, that suggests that the STLink is not electrically connecting to the PC at all. Drivers can't fix that!

See this post.

[Kat1234]

Thanks for your responses.  I got it working.  All the type A USB ports on the front of the PC did not even register the STLink but I had a docking station and one USB C port which I plugged in a USB C to A adaptor.  Both the docking station and the USB C port worked and I could connect to the STLink and saw it in Windows device drivers.

[Andrew Neil]

Yes, "try other USB ports" and "with/without hubs/docking station" are standard things to try.

Glad to hear it worked.

[Kat1234]

Thanks