A borrowed HEX-CAN cable used with VCDS software for car coding encountered a critical error. While attempting to modify the CAN gateway settings, changes wouldn’t save. After several attempts, a “cable does not have a valid license” message appeared. Subsequently, the cable was no longer recognized by Windows, despite reinstalling VCDS and drivers.
Speculation suggests newer VCDS versions incorporate code to detect and potentially damage counterfeit cables. This incident raises concerns about the possibility of legitimate cables being inadvertently affected by this anti-counterfeit mechanism. The cable in question, a few years old, now appears bricked, potentially due to a software malfunction.
Ross-Tech, the developer of VCDS, requires a $150 service fee for repair, even for potentially software-induced damage. This raises questions about customer support and the risk of recurrence after repair. Is there any guarantee that a repaired cable won’t be bricked again by the same software?
Seeking solutions beyond the expensive Ross-Tech service, are there any known methods to repair a potentially bricked HEX-CAN VCDS cable? Has anyone else experienced similar issues with legitimate cables being affected by VCDS software? What alternatives exist for users facing this problem?
