BMW Scan Tool Windows 10 Not Working After Update: Troubleshooting Guide

It’s a frustrating moment for any DIY car enthusiast or professional mechanic: your BMW scan tool, essential for diagnostics and coding, suddenly stops working after a Windows 10 update. If you rely on BMW Scanner 1.4 (also known as P.A. Soft), you might have encountered a common issue after updating your Windows 10 operating system, particularly to versions released after the May 2020 Update (version 2004). This update can disrupt the crucial communication between your scan tool cable and your Windows PC, rendering your BMW scanner useless.

Understanding the Windows 10 Update Issue with BMW Scan Tools

The problem stems from how BMW Scanner 1.4 communicates with your BMW. It requires a specific cable that relies on FTDI (Future Technology Devices International) drivers to function correctly. These drivers act as translators, enabling communication between the hardware (the cable) and the software (BMW Scanner) on your computer.

Microsoft’s Windows 10 updates, especially major version updates, can sometimes introduce changes that break the existing driver installations. Update 2004 and later versions altered the driver installation process, making the previously reliable methods for installing FTDI drivers for BMW Scanner 1.4 ineffective. Without these properly installed drivers, your computer can no longer recognize and communicate with the BMW Scanner cable.

To illustrate this issue and pinpoint the problematic update, consider a practical approach. Imagine setting up a dedicated laptop for BMW diagnostics. Initially, installing BMW Scanner and its drivers on an older Windows 10 version works seamlessly. However, upon upgrading to a newer Windows 10 version, specifically Update 2004 or later, driver installation fails. Through systematic testing on virtual machines with different Windows 10 versions, it becomes evident that updates beyond version 1909 are the culprit. Versions up to and including 1909 maintain compatibility, while newer versions disrupt the driver installation process. This testing methodology, isolating variables and systematically checking different environments, helps in accurately identifying the root cause of the problem.

Testing different Windows 10 versions in virtual machines to identify the update causing BMW Scanner driver incompatibility.

Solutions for BMW Scan Tool Not Working After Windows 10 Update

So, what can you do if your BMW scan tool stops working after a Windows 10 update? Here are a few solutions to consider:

1. Roll Back Windows 10 to a Compatible Version

The most direct solution, if feasible, is to revert your Windows 10 to a version prior to the problematic update (version 2004 or later). Windows 10 versions up to 1909 are known to work with the standard BMW Scanner 1.4 driver installation method.

How to Roll Back Windows 10:

Go to Settings: Click on the Start Menu and select the “Settings” gear icon.
Navigate to Update & Security: Click on “Update & Security”.
Access Recovery Options: In the left-hand menu, click on “Recovery”.
Go Back to a Previous Version: Under “Go back to the previous version of Windows 10”, click “Get started”.
Follow On-Screen Instructions: Windows will guide you through the rollback process. Be aware that this may remove updates and changes made after the target version.

Important Considerations for Rolling Back:

Data Backup: Before rolling back, ensure you have backed up any important data created or modified since the last Windows 10 version.
Update History: You will lose any updates installed after the version you are reverting to. You might need to pause or manage updates to prevent Windows from automatically updating again to the problematic version.
Security: While older versions might work with your scan tool, keep in mind they might have fewer security updates compared to the latest versions.

2. Driver Installation Workaround (If Available)

While the standard driver installation method might fail on newer Windows 10 versions, there might be community-developed workarounds. As highlighted in the original article, a solution for installing drivers on newer Windows 10 versions might emerge. It’s crucial to check online forums and communities related to BMW diagnostics and BMW Scanner 1.4 for updated driver installation guides or workarounds specifically for Windows 10 versions beyond 1909.

Check for Updated Driver Installation Guides:

BMW Forums: Websites like E46Fanatics (where the original article was posted) and other BMW-specific forums are excellent resources for community-driven solutions.
YouTube Tutorials: Search for “BMW Scanner 1.4 Windows 10 update driver fix” on YouTube. New solutions are often shared in video format.

Remember to exercise caution when downloading and installing drivers from unofficial sources. Ensure the source is reputable and the files are safe.

3. Consider Using a Virtual Machine

If rolling back your main Windows 10 installation is not desirable, or if you need to use the latest Windows 10 for other tasks, consider using a virtual machine.

Virtual Machine Approach:

Install Virtual Machine Software: Software like VMware Workstation Player (free for personal use), Oracle VirtualBox (free and open-source), or Hyper-V (built into Windows 10 Pro and Enterprise) allows you to run a virtual operating system within your current operating system.
Install Compatible Windows 10 Version in VM: Create a new virtual machine and install a compatible version of Windows 10 (e.g., version 1909) within it.
Install BMW Scanner and Drivers in VM: Inside the virtual machine, install BMW Scanner 1.4 and the necessary drivers using the standard installation method.
Connect BMW Scan Tool via USB Passthrough: Configure your virtual machine software to allow USB passthrough, enabling the virtual Windows 10 to recognize and communicate with your BMW Scanner cable connected to your physical computer.

Advantages of Using a Virtual Machine:

Isolation: Keeps your main operating system clean and avoids compatibility conflicts.
Flexibility: Allows you to use a compatible environment for BMW scanning while still running the latest Windows 10 for other tasks.
Testing: Virtual machines are excellent for testing different software and configurations without affecting your primary system.

Disadvantages of Using a Virtual Machine:

Performance Overhead: Running a virtual machine can consume system resources (RAM, CPU), potentially impacting performance, especially on less powerful computers.
Setup Complexity: Setting up a virtual machine and configuring USB passthrough can be slightly more complex than a direct installation.

4. Explore Alternative BMW Scan Tools

If none of the above solutions work, or if you prefer a more future-proof approach, consider exploring alternative BMW scan tools that are known to be compatible with the latest Windows 10 versions.

Alternative Scan Tool Options:

INPA/EDIABAS: BMW’s official diagnostic software suite, while more complex to set up, is generally compatible with newer systems.
ISTA-D/ISTA-P (Rheingold): The successor to INPA/EDIABAS, offering advanced diagnostics, programming, and coding capabilities.
Modern OBD-II Scanners: Many newer OBD-II scanners from reputable brands offer enhanced BMW-specific diagnostics and may have better compatibility with current operating systems.

Switching to a different scan tool might involve an additional investment, but it could provide a more reliable and long-term solution, especially if Windows 10 updates continue to cause compatibility issues with older tools like BMW Scanner 1.4.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing BMW Scanner 1.4 Drivers on Compatible Windows 10 Versions (Up to 1909)

If you are using a compatible version of Windows 10 (up to version 1909) or have rolled back to such a version, here’s a detailed guide on how to install the drivers for BMW Scanner 1.4:

Before You Begin:

Download Necessary Files:

BMW Scanner 1.4 Software: Download the BMW Scanner 1.4 installer (e.g., bmw-scanner-1.4.0-v-never-locking.zip).
FTDI Drivers: Download the correct FTDI drivers for your system (e.g., CDM v2.12.28 WHQL Certified.zip). Ensure you download the drivers appropriate for your system architecture (32-bit or 64-bit). If unsure, a quick Google search on “how to check if Windows is 32-bit or 64-bit” will guide you.
PA Soft Cable: You will need a BMW Scanner 1.4 compatible cable.

Installation Steps:

Part 1: Install BMW Scanner 1.4 Software

Extract Software: Unzip the bmw-scanner-1.4.0-v-never-locking.zip file. Navigate to the SP56 folder where the installer files are located.
Run Installer: Double-click the BMW Scanner v140 Install.exe file. Follow the on-screen prompts to install the software. You can keep the default installation location and choose to create a desktop shortcut for convenience.

Part 2: Install FTDI Drivers

Extract Drivers: Unzip the CDM v2.12.28 WHQL Certified.zip file to a folder. Remember the location of this folder, as you will need to browse to it during driver installation.
Open Device Manager: Right-click on the Windows Start Menu icon and select “Device Manager”.
Connect BMW Scanner Cable: Plug your BMW Scanner cable into a USB port on your computer (do not connect it to the car yet).
Locate Unknown Device: Device Manager should refresh, and you should see a device listed under “Other Devices” or “Unknown devices,” possibly named “BMW Scanner V14x” with a yellow warning icon.
Update Driver (First Driver): Right-click on the “BMW Scanner V14x” device and select “Update driver”.
Browse My Computer: Choose “Browse my computer for driver software”.
Let Me Pick: Select “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer”.
Have Disk: Click the “Have Disk…” button.
Browse to Driver Folder: In the “Insert Disk” dialog, click “Browse…”. Navigate to the folder where you extracted the FTDI drivers in Step 1 of Part 2.
Select ftdibus.inf: Double-click the ftdibus.inf file.
Click OK: Click “OK” in the “Insert Disk” dialog.
Select USB Serial Converter A: From the list of drivers, select “USB Serial Converter A” and click “Next”.
Ignore Warning: A driver update warning may appear. Click “Yes” to proceed with the installation.
Driver Installation Confirmation: Windows should display a message confirming successful driver installation. Click “Close”.

Part 3: Install Second Driver (USB Serial Port)

After installing the first driver, check Device Manager again. You should now see:

“USB Serial Converter A” under “Universal Serial Bus controllers”.
“USB Serial Port” under “Other devices” with an error icon.

Now, install the driver for the “USB Serial Port” device:

Update Driver (Second Driver): Right-click on the “USB Serial Port” device and select “Update driver”.
Browse My Computer: Choose “Browse my computer for driver software”.
Let Me Pick: Select “Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer”.
Have Disk: Click the “Have Disk…” button.
Browse to Driver Folder: Click “Browse…” and navigate again to the folder where you extracted the FTDI drivers.
Select ftdiport.inf: This time, double-click the ftdiport.inf file (not ftdibus.inf).
Click OK: Click “OK” in the “Insert Disk” dialog.
Select USB Serial Port: Ensure “USB Serial Port” is selected in the list (scroll to the bottom if needed). Click “Next”.
Ignore Warning: Click “Yes” to ignore the driver update warning.
Driver Installation Confirmation: Windows should confirm successful driver installation. Click “Close”.

Completion:

The software and drivers are now installed. You should see “USB Serial Port” under “Ports (COM & LPT)” in Device Manager without any error icons. You can now connect the cable to your BMW, start BMW Scanner 1.4, and begin diagnostics or coding.

Troubleshooting Note:

If BMW Scanner 1.4 cannot find the DME or EGS modules in certain BMW models (e.g., some E46 or later models), you might need to bridge pins 7 and 8 on the car-side connector of your BMW Scanner cable. This is a common modification, and you can find guides on BMW forums and online communities.

Conclusion

Dealing with BMW Scanner 1.4 incompatibility after a Windows 10 update can be a hurdle. By understanding the root cause—driver issues introduced by newer Windows 10 versions—you can choose the most suitable solution. Rolling back Windows, exploring driver workarounds, using a virtual machine, or considering alternative scan tools are all viable paths. By following the detailed driver installation guide for compatible Windows versions, you can get your BMW scan tool back up and running, enabling you to continue diagnosing and maintaining your BMW effectively.