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Vgate Vlinker FS USB Adaptor Firmware update went wrong?? Bricked?
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2025 10:42 pm
by Springything
Hi
I have a Vgate VLinker FS USB ELM327 Adaptor which I use with Forscan, with no issues previously.
Forscan software recommended a firmware update was required on the adaptor, which I started but then my laptop turned off half way through the firmware update. (the battery was low and I didn't realise and the laptop gave me no warning before hibernating)
Now I have the problem that my laptop will not recognise the adapter, when I plug it in it says that the device malfunctioned and that windows does not recognise it.
I have tried to use the VLinkers_FS_USB firmware update tool from the VGate website, but it says 'Failed, Please Power on the Device Again'
I have also tried to update the drivers for the VCP drivers from FTDI but this has not changed how windows recognises the device. It shows in device manager as 'Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor request failed)'
Please can you advise me on how to get the adaptor to be recognised by windows again and fix this mess?
Thank you
Re: Vgate Vlinker FS USB Adaptor Firmware update went wrong?? Bricked?
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2025 10:49 pm
by oldtinfords
Try having it plugged into the laptop & a vehicle at the same time & power on the ignition or unplug it from the laptop & plug it back in when it asks for the power cycle.
Make sure you disable hibernation & sleep for all FORScan programming activities. Also make sure the USB can't enter sleep.
Re: Vgate Vlinker FS USB Adaptor Firmware update went wrong?? Bricked?
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2025 11:36 pm
by Springything
Thanks, yes I forgot to put that I was trying to do everything I described with the adaptor plugged into the car and with ignition on.
Also there are usually lights in the adaptor, I'm not sure whether they normally come on when first plugged into the car with ignition on or whether it's when the usb gets plugged into my laptop, but at the moment whichever I do there are no lights that come on
Re: Vgate Vlinker FS USB Adaptor Firmware update went wrong?? Bricked?
Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2025 11:45 pm
by oldtinfords
Springything wrote: Sat Nov 08, 2025 11:36 pm
Thanks, yes I forgot to put that I was trying to do everything I described with the adaptor plugged into the car and with ignition on.
Also there are usually lights in the adaptor, I'm not sure whether they normally come on when first plugged into the car with ignition on or whether it's when the usb gets plugged into my laptop, but at the moment whichever I do there are no lights that come on
It should light up when plugged into the laptop. Try an alternate USB port in case there's a problem with the laptop.
If none of this works, you might have destroyed the device
Re: Vgate Vlinker FS USB Adaptor Firmware update went wrong?? Bricked?
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2025 12:30 pm
by Springything
Ah thank you! I've tried the other USB port on the laptop for the Adapter (without it connected to the vehicle) and it didn't give me the 'device not recognised' error, and in Device manager it showed up as a new COM Port - which I then selected in the Firmware updater and was able to update the firmware.
It has now connected to the car fine - wooo!
It still doesnt work in the USB port I used to connect it to though which is weird! That's more of a Driver issue?
Re: Vgate Vlinker FS USB Adaptor Firmware update went wrong?? Bricked?
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2025 12:51 pm
by boosted_diesel
Without firmware written on the dongle it wont work.
Without the manufacturers software you probably cannot fix it.
Updating it requires it to talk to the laptop etc which it now can't do. No computer will recognise it now so hence it is bricked. I would just buy a new one as they are cheap anyway and be careful next time.
Re: Vgate Vlinker FS USB Adaptor Firmware update went wrong?? Bricked?
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2025 7:06 pm
by oldtinfords
Springything wrote: Sun Nov 09, 2025 12:30 pm
Ah thank you! I've tried the other USB port on the laptop for the Adapter (without it connected to the vehicle) and it didn't give me the 'device not recognised' error, and in Device manager it showed up as a new COM Port - which I then selected in the Firmware updater and was able to update the firmware.
It has now connected to the car fine - wooo!
It still doesnt work in the USB port I used to connect it to though which is weird! That's more of a Driver issue?
Great to here what I suggested worked to recover the device.
Check the USB ports to see if one is USB2.0 & if the other is USB3.0 & if another device works in that USB port.
Some laptops with USB 3.0, the 3.0 port isn't compatible. VGATE were replacing their cable with updated devices if people were having this issue.
Re: Vgate Vlinker FS USB Adaptor Firmware update went wrong?? Bricked?
Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2025 11:02 pm
by Springything
Great thanks for the info! Good point about usb 3.0 Vs 2.0, I'll try figure that out, once I've fixed my fuel pressure issue on the car
Re: Vgate Vlinker FS USB Adaptor Firmware update went wrong?? Bricked?
Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2025 2:57 am
by Vgatemall
Springything wrote: Sat Nov 08, 2025 10:42 pm
Hi
I have a Vgate VLinker FS USB ELM327 Adaptor which I use with Forscan, with no issues previously.
Forscan software recommended a firmware update was required on the adaptor, which I started but then my laptop turned off half way through the firmware update. (the battery was low and I didn't realise and the laptop gave me no warning before hibernating)
Now I have the problem that my laptop will not recognise the adapter, when I plug it in it says that the device malfunctioned and that windows does not recognise it.
I have tried to use the VLinkers_FS_USB firmware update tool from the VGate website, but it says 'Failed, Please Power on the Device Again'
I have also tried to update the drivers for the VCP drivers from FTDI but this has not changed how windows recognises the device. It shows in device manager as 'Unknown USB Device (Device Descriptor request failed)'
Please can you advise me on how to get the adaptor to be recognised by windows again and fix this mess?
Thank you
Hello
After your last failed update, the device's connection channel remains occupied, preventing connection to other software and causing all LED lights to remain off. The device itself is functioning normally.
Simply disconnect the device from power, reinsert it into your computer's USB port (do not connect to the OBD port), and perform the firmware update again using Vgate's vLinker FS USB software. Once the update completes successfully, the product will return to normal operation.
If you require assistance with these steps, please contact
support@vgate.com.
