G Star Iv Gps Driver Download Bu-353s4 Windows 11 Guide
Fix: USB selective suspend issue.
Windows 11 removed legacy support for the older PL-2303 (Prolific) USB-to-serial chipsets that many original BU-353 units used. While the BU-353S4 often uses a CP210x (Silicon Labs) or newer PL-2303 revision, Windows 11 may:
Do not plug the GPS in yet.
Even after the correct G Star IV GPS driver download for BU-353S4, Windows 11 may throw errors. Here is the fix for each.
Since GlobalSat’s server can be slow, you can download the chipset driver directly from Silicon Labs. This works 100% for the G Star IV chipset.
Important: If you bought a “G Star IV” GPS from a no-name brand, it may not be a genuine GlobalSat BU-353S4. In that case, try the CH340/341 driver instead, as many clones use that chip.
How to Download and Install G-Star IV GPS (BU-353S4) Drivers on Windows 11
The GlobalSat BU-353S4 (often referred to as the G-Star IV) is a legendary USB GPS receiver known for its reliability in marine navigation, fleet management, and amateur radio. However, because the hardware predates Windows 11, getting it to talk to your modern PC can be a bit tricky.
If you’ve plugged in your device and seen the dreaded "Yellow Exclamation Mark" in Device Manager, follow this guide to get your GPS back on the map. 1. Understanding the Hardware
The BU-353S4 uses a Prolific PL2303 USB-to-Serial chipset. Windows 11 is notoriously picky about Prolific drivers because many older "Type HXA" chips are no longer supported by Prolific’s newest drivers. To make this work, you usually need a specific version that maintains compatibility with the S4 hardware. 2. Where to Download the Official Driver
Avoid third-party "driver updater" websites, which often bundle malware. There are two reliable sources:
GlobalSat Official Support: Visit the GlobalSat WorldCom support page. Search for "BU-353S4" to find the Windows driver package.
Prolific Technology Inc: Since the internal chip is Prolific, you can download the "PL2303 Windows Driver Installer" directly from Prolific’s website. 3. Step-by-Step Installation Guide for Windows 11 Step A: Clean the Old Drivers Disconnect your BU-353S4 from the USB port. Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager. Go to View > Show hidden devices. G Star Iv Gps Driver Download Bu-353s4 Windows 11
Look under Ports (COM & LPT). If you see an "Unknown USB Device" or an older Prolific entry, right-click it and select Uninstall device. Check the box for "Attempt to remove the driver for this device." Step B: Run the Installer
Download the PL2303_Prolific_DriverInstaller_v4.x.x (or the version provided by GlobalSat). Right-click the installer and select Run as Administrator.
Follow the prompts and Restart your computer when finished. This step is vital for Windows 11 to register the serial port mapping. Step C: Plug and Verify Plug your G-Star IV into a USB port. Open Device Manager again and expand Ports (COM & LPT).
You should now see: Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port (COMx). Note the number (e.g., COM3). 4. Troubleshooting: "This Device Cannot Start (Code 10)"
If you see Code 10 or "Please contact your supplier," Windows 11 has likely automatically updated your driver to a version that doesn't support your specific chip revision. The Fix: Right-click the driver in Device Manager > Update driver. Select Browse my computer for drivers.
Select Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer.
Choose an older version (e.g., version 3.8.x or 3.2.x) from the list. Often, the 2014 or 2015 versions work best for the BU-353S4 on Windows 11. 5. Testing Your GPS Signal
Once the driver is installed, your GPS needs a clear view of the sky. Download the GPSInfo Utility from the GlobalSat website.
Open the utility, select your COM Port, and set the Baud Rate to 4800.
Click "Start." You should see NMEA data (text strings) scrolling and, eventually, your lat/long coordinates.
By following these steps, your BU-353S4 should work perfectly with navigation software like OpenCPN, Google Earth Pro, or ESRI ArcGIS on Windows 11.
The GlobalSat BU-353S4 Fix: USB selective suspend issue
(powered by the SiRF Star IV chipset) is a popular USB GPS receiver, but users frequently encounter driver issues on Windows 11 because the Prolific PL2303 chip it uses often lacks official support for newer operating systems. Essential Driver Download & Installation
To get the BU-353S4 working on Windows 11, you typically need to install a specific legacy Prolific USB-to-Serial driver. Download Sources:
The official latest drivers are often found on the GlobalSat Support Page.
A commonly recommended version for overcoming Windows 11 compatibility errors (like "PL2303TA does not support Windows 11") is the Prolific PL2303 Driver Installer v4.08 or earlier legacy versions like v3.3.2.105. Installation Steps:
Uninstall Existing Drivers: In Device Manager, right-click the unrecognized device, select "Uninstall device," and check "Attempt to remove the driver for this device".
Run Installer: Download and run the PL2303_DriverInstaller.exe as an administrator.
Manual Selection: If it still shows an error (yellow exclamation mark), right-click the device in Device Manager > Update Driver > Browse my computer for drivers > Let me pick from a list.
Select Legacy Version: Choose the specific older version (e.g., Version 3.3.2.105 [2008]) from the list. This version often bypasses the "not genuine" or "unsupported" blocks. Performance Features Windows - OpenCPN
Getting the GlobalSat G-Star IV (BU-353-S4) GPS receiver to work on Windows 11 can be tricky because the hardware relies on a Prolific USB-to-Serial chipset that sometimes triggers compatibility errors with newer Windows security policies. Official Driver Downloads
To start, always try the official manufacturer sources first. The BU-353-S4 uses the Prolific PL2303 chipset.
GlobalSat Support (Russia/Global): You can find a dedicated Windows 11 Driver directly on the GlobalSat support page.
RadiumBox: For users in specific industries (like Aadhaar enrollment), RadiumBox provides an updated driver package compatible with Windows 10 and above. Do not plug the GPS in yet
Roadsoft: A direct link to a reliable Prolific Driver V4.08 is often recommended by community forums for stabilizing "puck style" GPS units. How to Install on Windows 11
If your computer shows an error like "This is not Prolific" or an exclamation mark in Device Manager, follow these manual installation steps to force the correct version:
Extract the Files: Download your preferred driver and unzip it to a folder on your desktop.
Open Device Manager: Right-click the Start button and select Device Manager.
Locate the Device: Expand the Ports (COM & LPT) section. Look for "USB Serial Port" or "Prolific USB-to-Serial Comm Port". Update Driver Manually: Right-click the device and select Update driver. Choose "Browse my computer for drivers".
Click "Let me pick from a list of available drivers on my computer".
Select the Legacy Version: Uncheck "Show compatible hardware" if necessary, and look for an older version (e.g., Version 3.3.2.105 or similar from 2008/2010). Windows 11 often requires these older, digitally signed versions to bypass current chipset verification blocks.
Verify: Once installed, the LED on your BU-353-S4 should be solid (searching for signal) or flashing (position fix). Key Specifications & Tips G star iv gps driver installation
Cause: Windows 11 blocked the driver due to a missing signature or chip counterfeit detection.
Fix:
Do not rely on generic “G Star IV GPS Driver” downloads from unknown sites. Instead, get the official driver from:
⚠️ Warning: Many counterfeit PL-2303 chips exist. If your BU-353S4 is a fake/clone, the official driver may refuse to work. In that case, try older Prolific drivers (v3.3.2 or v3.8.25) with driver signature enforcement temporarily disabled.