Akuvox || ACR-CID12 - Desktop Card reader - Connection Failed! ||

ACR-CID12 Desktop Card Reader – "Connection Failed!" Error

Manufacturer: Akuvox Device: ACR-CID12 Desktop Card Reader Software: ACR-CID12 Tool Category: Access Control / Card Readers

Issue

Per the Akuvox Knowledge Base, the ACR-CID12 is Plug-N-Play: install the ACR-CID12 Tool and click Connect to begin configuring the reader.

When Connect is clicked, the tool displays a "Connection Failed!" message in the bottom-left corner and the reader cannot be configured.

Reference: Akuvox KB – ACR-CID12 Tool

Cause

When plugged into a USB port, the reader is recognized by the computer as an HID device (keyboard) instead of a Virtual COM port. The ACR-CID12 Tool can only connect to the reader over a Virtual COM port.

Upgrading the reader with the firmware below switches it to Virtual COM port mode.

Required Files

File	Purpose
ACR-CID12 Tool	Configuration software (download from the Akuvox KB link above)
ACR-CID12(UD029)_20241022_V1.01upgrade.bin	Firmware that switches the reader to Virtual COM port mode

Resolution

Important: Keep the card reader connected to the computer's USB port for the entire process.

Step 1 – Download the firmware Download the firmware file: ACR-CID12(UD029)_20241022_V1.01upgrade.bin

Step 2 – Open the upgrade option Open the ACR-CID12 Tool. In the bottom section of the window, right-click next to Firmware Version and select Upgrade Reader.

Step 3 – Load the firmware Upload the .bin firmware file and click Start.

Step 4 – Wait for the upgrade to complete A progress bar will appear below. Wait until it reaches 100%. Do not unplug the reader or close the tool during the upgrade.

Step 5 – Restart the tool and connect Close the ACR-CID12 Tool, reopen it, and click Connect. The reader should now connect, and card reader options can be adjusted.

Result

The ACR-CID12 connects to the tool as a Virtual COM port device and can be configured normally.