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How to Fix Excel Data Streamer Error 0x800A03EC on USB Serial Ports
Question details
The user is encountering an HRESULT error 0x800A03EC when attempting to connect a device to Excel via the Data Streamer add-in using USB serial ports (such as COM3 or COM4).
- Product
- Microsoft Excel
- Device & OS
- Windows
- Scenario
- Connecting a hardware device to Excel using the Data Streamer add-in to capture and analyze real-time data.
- Observed behavior
- Excel displays an HRESULT 0x800A03EC error and fails to connect to the selected COM port, even though the connection was working previously.
Before troubleshooting, ensure that your USB device is securely plugged into the computer and close any other applications (such as device monitors or IDEs) that might be actively using the COM port.
Reconnect the Device and Clear COM Port Conflicts
This solution ensures the serial port is free and correctly identified, resolving the most common cause of the 0x800A03EC error.
The HRESULT 0x800A03EC error in Excel Data Streamer typically occurs when the target COM port is either disconnected, glitching, or locked by another application. Serial ports can only be accessed by one program at a time.
Unplug the USB serial device from your computer and wait for about 10 seconds.
Reconnect the device. Right-click the Windows Start button, select "Device Manager", and expand the "Ports (COM & LPT)" section to check the exact COM port assigned to your device (e.g., COM3).
Ensure that no other software is communicating with the device. Close applications like Arduino IDE, Putty, or other custom serial monitors.
Close and reopen Microsoft Excel. Go to the "Data Streamer" tab, click "Connect a Device", and select the verified COM port.
Configure Data Rows and Sort Incoming Data
Adjust the add-in settings to handle the incoming data volume properly and sort the records for better visibility.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Data Streamer show error 0x800A03EC?
This error usually occurs when the selected COM port is currently being used by another application, the USB device was disconnected abruptly, or there is a communication glitch with the USB serial port driver.
How do I change the number of rows recorded by Data Streamer?
Once your device is connected, go to the generated 'Settings' worksheet. Find the 'Data Rows' configuration cell and enter a higher value to match the number of data points you expect to capture.
Can I make Data Streamer put the newest data at the top instead of the bottom?
By default, Data Streamer appends new data at the bottom of the table. To display the newest data at the top, you can use the Excel =SORT() formula on the data table, referencing a time or ID column in descending order.
