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PCI Simple Communications Controller driver

DeviceInBox editorial team · Last updated September 17, 2026

"PCI Simple Communications Controller" is the generic name Windows gives a device from the simple communication controller class when it has no driver for it. On almost every laptop and desktop with an Intel processor, that device is the Intel Management Engine Interface, also called Intel MEI or HECI.

Other devices list with PCI Simple Communications Controller marked
The class name mentions communications, which sends people looking for a modem driver.

What the Management Engine is

Intel chipsets include a small, separate microcontroller called the Management Engine (Intel ME or CSME). It handles tasks at firmware level: platform security, firmware updates, Intel AMT remote management on business machines and part of the power management. The MEI driver is what lets Windows and Intel software communicate with it. Without the driver the PC still works, but firmware update tools, some power features and Intel utilities that depend on ME won't.

Confirm that it is Intel MEI

  1. In Device Manager, right-click PCI Simple Communications Controller, choose Properties, open the Details tab and select "Hardware Ids".
  2. An ID starting with PCI\VEN_8086 is an Intel device. Compare the DEV code with the table further down. MEI controllers usually have device IDs ending in 3A, BA or E0, for example DEV_A13A, DEV_9D3A or DEV_A0E0.
  3. An Intel ID ending in 3D, such as DEV_1E3D, is the Intel AMT Serial-over-LAN port found on business PCs. Its driver comes in the same MEI/AMT package. A device from a different vendor, a modem for instance, needs its own driver, so search for the exact ID.
Details tab showing the hardware ID of an Intel Management Engine Interface
DEV_A360 and its relatives are the Management Engine, not a modem.

Installing the MEI driver

Pick a version that suits your Windows release. Recent MEI packages cover current platforms and Windows 10 and 11; computers from around 2012 to 2015 may need an older one.

  1. Run the setup file as administrator. If you downloaded an archive, extract it first and run SetupME.exe or setup.exe if the folder has one.
  2. If there is no installer, right-click the device in Device Manager, choose Update driver, then "Browse my computer for drivers", and select the extracted folder with subfolders included.
  3. Restart. The device moves to System devices as "Intel(R) Management Engine Interface".

On branded laptops, the MEI driver from the manufacturer's support page (usually under Chipset or Security) is the safest option, since it matches the ME firmware installed on that model.

Table of Intel platforms and the matching MEI driver branch
A newer MEI branch refuses to install on an older chipset.

Intel MEI controllers in our catalog

Hardware IDDeviceDrivers
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_7AE8Management Engine Interface (ME16.0 - ADL-S)6
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_51E0Management Engine Interface (ME16.0 - ADL-P)6
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_43E0Management Engine Interface (ME15.0 - TGL-H)6
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_A0E0Management Engine Interface (ME15.0 - TGL-LP)6
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_06E0Management Engine Interface7
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_02E0Management Engine Interface7
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_A3BAManagement Engine Interface7
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_A360Management Engine Interface11
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_9DE0Management Engine Interface8
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_A2BAManagement Engine Interface9
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_A13ASunrise Point-H CSME HECI #113
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_9D3ASunrise Point-LP CSME HECI #111
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_9CBAWildcat Point-LP MEI Controller #114
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8C3A8 Series/C220 Series Chipset Family MEI Controller #111
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_9C3A8 Series HECI #06
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1E3A7 Series/C210 Series Chipset Family MEI Controller #19
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_1C3A6 Series/C200 Series Chipset Family MEI Controller #19
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3B645 Series/3400 Series Chipset HECI Controller2
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8D3AC610/X99 series chipset MEI Controller #17
PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_3DE0Management Engine Interface7
System devices showing Intel Management Engine Interface after the driver is installed
Once installed, the device sits under System devices.

Common problems

  • The installer says "This platform is not supported". The package is either too new or too old for your chipset; choose a version whose supported IDs include yours.
  • Code 10 after installation. The ME firmware may be disabled in the BIOS or out of date. Check the BIOS settings and the manufacturer's firmware updates, and see our Code 10 guide.
  • Other unknown chipset devices usually need Intel Chipset Device Software as well.

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